Meet James Crockett from Bridgend FC. James joined MAN v FAT in January 2023, realizing he had to make a change from his old ways of losing weight and keeping it off.
“Joining wasn’t a sudden decision, it was a gradual realization that I needed to make a change. I got to a point where I was tired of feeling stuck, feeling really negative about life and how I viewed others,” he said.
“I had tried many diets over the years before joining. I could lose some weight but I would always yo-yo up and down and eventually put the weight back on.
“I heard about MAN v FAT Football from my best friend, who had already signed up a few weeks ago. It seemed like exactly what I needed, a way to combine my love of football with support and responsibility to lose weight.”
In joining the club, James found a winning play for his struggles with weight loss, as the team’s support passed him a clear shot to reach his goal. He added: “The team spirit and togetherness is incredible. Everyone is in it for the same reason, we all want to be healthier and this creates a supportive and motivating atmosphere. The weekly weigh-ins, football and the camaraderie in and out of all the group chats keeps me focused and enjoying the journey.”
“All of this helps tremendously with motivation and consistency. It doesn’t feel like a ‘diet club’, it feels like being part of a proper team and community.
“I would say that MAN vAT Bridgend is a very special place. The club is full of so many different characters with so many different stories. The camaraderie in the club is filled with laughter from the start of the session at 7pm until 9pm, rain or shine. After a really tough week whether it be due to the scale or general life difficulties, it was absolutely necessary. There are so many people I can consider lifelong friends now even after only knowing them for a couple of years.
“I’ve lost 36.2kg, more than 30% of my starting body weight. I feel fitter, happier, healthier and more confident than I have been in years. I’ve made new friends, discovered a real passion for exercising regularly again, and my mental health has improved dramatically over the past few years. I’m now aiming to achieve BMI Boss, which seems crazy considering I started the journey at 120kg two years ago.”
James also highlights how MAN v FAT helped him change his relationship with food, to finally break the habits that had caused his weight to rise and fall before, saying: “My diet before joining MAN v FAT was really bad. I would eat junk food most days, sometimes two, or even three times a day, just for the quick fix and the satisfaction it gives you.
“The difference I’ve found since joining is that I’ve become more stringent, and I’ve learned a lot about the value of tracking calories and meals. I still enjoy takeaways on the weekends, but everything is tracked and I never feel guilty for enjoying them anymore. The advice I’ve picked up is that you’re allowed to eat so-called junk foods as long as they’re counted, and I’ve been honest about the calories on the tracking app every day.”
Now, James has a treasure trove of MAN v FAT memories to look back on, saying: “A highlight for me was leading KFC Scoffenheim to win Team of the Year at this year’s MAN v FAT awards ceremony outside the London Stadium.
“The team had all the attributes I would say a MAN v FAT team should be made up of, be it the teamwork, the friendliness, the care, the support and the countless different stories. The team won a few leagues during the Bridgend seasons but it was the members of this group who really helped me push through to my achievements and consistency. I’ve been very lucky with this team. Memories are something I will always remember.
“The club is a very giving place, we have done countless charitable works, from duck races to support other clubs in the MAN v FAT community to chocolate collections for Christmas and Easter. The club is something I am very proud to talk about in my daily life spreading all the wonderful things MAN v FAT is about, I feel so proud and grateful to be a member of this club!”
Want to join James in Bridgend?
Bridgend FC is one of a number of clubs in Wales and you can take a look at your options here!