A Swindon man who has lost nearly four and a half stone in just over a year said it has rebuilt his fitness and confidence.

Ryan Ford, 31, has shed 25 per cent of his starting body weight since joining MAN v FAT Swindon in August 2023.

The FA-accredited, football-based healthy lifestyle programme meets weekly at Kingsdown School in Stratton St Margaret.

Mr Ford said: "After having my first child in 2022, I found it difficult to maintain a routine and ate what I wanted, so had an influx of weight gain.

"Once my little boy started to move around more, I found myself getting out of breath and lacked any fitness.

Ryan Ford before his weight lossRyan Ford before his weight loss (Image: Ryan Ford) "He was my motivation to do something about my weight."

Mr Ford's lack of confidence and dislike for traditional workouts led him to MAN v FAT, which combines football and weight loss.

Since joining the Swindon club, he has improved his fitness to a point where he now runs 7km four or five times a week.

He said: "The team are very supportive, and it gives you motivation to do well for not only yourself but also for your team."

The MAN v FAT sessions see players being weighed before taking to the pitch.

Match results and individual weight loss contribute to an overall league table.

With around 67.8 per cent of adults in Swindon being overweight or obese, according to Public Health England data, the club is keen to recruit more players.

Mr Ford continued: "I really enjoy playing football and didn't think I was fit enough to join a league.

Ryan Ford after his weight lossRyan Ford after his weight loss (Image: Ryan Ford) “I found MAN v FAT and really liked the fact that everyone was in the same position as I was.

"We all had the same goal - to lose weight whilst doing something we enjoyed."

Mr Ford encouraged others to try MAN v FAT, which he credits with helping him to gain confidence and improve his fitness.

He added: "I am very close to achieving my weight loss goal and have been doing MAN v FAT for only 13 months.

"I would highly recommend it to anyone, it enables you to meet others and doesn’t feel like a workout, as you are doing something you enjoy."

The programme provides additional support beyond the pitch, offering healthy meal recipe ideas, general fitness tips, and access to an online gym and well-being platform.

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