I JOINED THE MAN V FAT PROGRAMME AS PART OF THE WRECSAM CLUB IN JULY 2022 AT A WHOPPING 167.4KG (26ST 5BS). I WAS THE HEAVIEST I’D EVER BEEN AND THIS WAS HAVING A SERIOUS IMPACT NOT JUST IN MY DAY-TO-DAY LIFE BUT ALSO MY MENTAL HEALTH. AS OF 29/3/23 I’VE LOST 63.5KG (10 STONE) WHICH IS 38% OF MY STARTING BODY WEIGHT! I ORIGINALLY SET OUT TO HIT THE 100KG MARK (16ST) AND THAT IS NOW FIRMLY WITHIN REACH. I’VE GONE FROM A 5XL SHIRT DOWN TO A COMFORTABLE 2XL BORDERING ON A LARGE, AND I’VE GONE FROM A 3XL TROUSER SIZE TO A LARGE! MY OVERALL FITNESS LEVELS HAVE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. I NO LONGER FEEL OUT OF BREATH WHEN I GET TO THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, I CAN RUN UP AND DOWN THEM WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT! THE LADS AT MVF WRECSAM HAVE BEEN THE REAL HIGHLIGHT OF THIS JOURNEY SO FAR. BEING AUTISTIC AND HAVING ADHD AND DYSPRAXIA, I WAS EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT SIGNING UP TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I WAS ANXIOUS ABOUT BEING LAUGHED AT FOR MY LACK OF FOOTBALL ABILITY OR NOT FITTING IN DUE TO BEING DIFFERENT. I’M VERY HAPPY TO SAY THAT ALL THOSE FEARS MELTED AWAY AFTER THE VERY FIRST SESSION. EVERYONE WAS FRIENDLY, SUPPORTIVE, AND NON-JUDGEMENTAL. I COULDN’T RECOMMEND MAN V FAT ENOUGH, IT’S QUITE LITERALLY CHANGED MY LIFE!

Damian Hones