Fat man 18lb 12lbs lost 5st 7lb in six months by swapping snacks for ready meals.
Stuart Campbell, 30, a 5ft 6.5in insurance processor who lives in Herne, Kent, began gaining weight during the lockdown.
In 2020, he weighed 17st (108kg), and in 2024 he reached 18st 12lb (120kg) with a BMI of 41.4, classifying him as obese.
At the time, Stuart was wearing size XXL clothes and “refused to leave the house” because he didn’t know his size, and when he did, he was paranoid that others would see him and think “he’s too big.”.
Stuart was eating, like pizza, chips, fried chicken, almost every day for lunch and dinner, and hardly any exercise.
After considering surgery, he finally knew “enough is enough” and decided to start his weight loss journey by going to Man V Fat football sessions, walking 10,000 steps a day and eating around 1,700 calories a day with Marks and Spencer ready meals.
In six months, he lost 5st 7lb (35kg), now weighs 13st 5lb (85kg), and is a size M in clothes – and his wife Chloe, 28, a high school science teacher, has noticed a boost in confidence. and he likes it.
Stuart told PA Real Life: “I feel like I’m coming out now – I feel like I’m bigger, even though it’s not like that, I feel like people look at me and think, ‘he’s big’.
“It was always on my mind and I don’t feel that way anymore.
“I just feel like I can enjoy my life now without the burning thought in the back of my head that everyone is looking at me and thinking I’m disgusting.
“I just wouldn’t go out and I think, along with working at home, it changed my whole personality, it made me not want to do anything or go anywhere.”
Stuart said he started “piling on the pounds” after he worked at home during the lockdown.
In 2020, he weighs around 17st (108kg) and by the beginning of 2024 he has reached 18st 12lb (120kg).
During this time, Stuart would wake up “as you can”, sit at his desk all day and not exercise.
Even before, the only exercise was “walking from the car to the office”, but the key was “stop everything”.
During this time, Stuart’s diet consisted mainly of processed foods, and he had meals up to seven times a week.
He said, “I have a lot of fatty foods like pizza, chicken, chips, all the stuff I don’t want.”
His weight has interfered with his self-esteem, to the point where he refuses to leave the house.
Stuart was unhappy with his weight, so he started looking for weight loss surgery on social media.
The more he saw on TikTok, the more he liked the operation, but after some reflection, he realized that it was “too stupid” to go down that route because he “can do it (on his own)”.
This realization pushed him to start his own weight loss journey and, after talking to a friend who recommended a weight loss program where people play football: Man V Fat, in April 2024, Stuart decided to try it.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Stuart moved to Kent about 10 years ago for university and hopes that joining the club will help him make new friends, as he doesn’t have any of his “boyfriends”.
At first, Stuart was “very worried” he wouldn’t be able to keep up and be “the biggest one out there”, but he “felt really happy” and found there was “no judgement” from the other players, because it was all about him. shoe.
Since joining, Stuart plays soccer once a week, walks 10,000 steps a day and eats about 1,700 calories a day.
For lunch, instead of takeaways, Stuart has mainly eaten Marks and Spencer ready meals from Count on us some, including: chicken fillet with vegetables and mash; chicken hunter and wedges; and sweet and sour chicken with rice; which is about 300 to 400 calories per meal. For dinner, he continues to use the Gousto food box, opting for high-protein, lower-calorie foods.
He found this method “very easy because it took away the stress” and, as a result, he steadily lost 2.2lb (1.0kg) per week.
By following this plan for about six months, Stuart has lost 5st 7lb (35kg), now weighs 13st 5lb (85kg), and he has gone from size XXL to M in clothes.
He added: “I mean, in general, I feel healthier, and going out in the morning for a walk just gives you a clear head for the day. It’s very refreshing and sets me up for the day.
“So, like me before, I have too much weight in my stomach and waist. I will pull and stretch my XXL top to fit me; many shirts don’t fit me because my proportions are not right.
“Being able to wear the shirt again is a huge confidence boost for me because I’ve never done it before.
“It doesn’t feel real – I still think medium isn’t the right size for me, but it’s real.”
Stuart also believes that his relationship with his wife has improved since he lost weight, as he often goes for walks in the evenings, instead of “sitting at home watching television”.
He said, “It refreshed us, and he praised me.
“They can tell I’m happier now.”
Stuart is also “very happy” that he can now play football for more than a few minutes and can help out more around the house – before, he struggled to lift anything.
Looking to the future, Stuart is determined “not to let himself” return to his previous size, as he is now “conscious and aware of calories” and believes he has made “lifestyle changes for life”.
He hopes to lose another stone by the end of the year and plans to continue attending Man V Fat sessions as a maintenance member.
For others looking to lose weight, he says: “I would recommend Man V Fat.
“It’s been amazing for me, and being in an environment where everyone knows me and being there has been amazing.
“I don’t know if I can do anything else.”
For more information, visit: manvfatfootball.org