MAN v FAT Rugby is approaching its first birthday and the first year has seen a host of incredible successes across the 16 clubs currently up and running.
The Rugby members have picked up the MAN v FAT baton and created successful communities up and down the country, replicating the best of our Football groups and adding that unique Rugby twist.
Like Football, Wales is proving to be a hotspot for MAN v FAT communities, with Merthyr and Swansea leading the way.
And the Merthyr club has been a place that Ian Jasper can call home. Ian has been involved with Merthyr for a while now and can’t speak highly enough about his experiences so far.
What was it that made you want to join MAN v FAT in the first place?
I needed a boot up the backside to be honest, and had friends in the same boat as me so I messaged a few to see if they fancied it. We are all around the 50 mark and, with the weight getting even harder to shift as you get older, I thought we could egg each other on.
We would be able to support each other on our low days, where it would be easy to say I’m not going but having the support and knowing you aren’t on your own gets you there. Remembering the feeling you get after the exercise is an incentive in itself, but what I will say is after the first week, you make new friends from all walks of life who are in the same boat as you – then you realise this is going to be fun!
How supportive have you found the community to date and why has MAN v FAT worked for you?
Support from the coaches, the ref and all the players is unreal and you can talk to anyone about anything. They’re all there to listen and share any issues you have or it can just be myself listening to them.
I’ve found the effort from everyone on and off the field is tremendous, the support as you walk off the scales (hopefully with a grin that you’ve lost weight) is the same, everyone is inquisitive as to how you’ve done and then you get the praise if you’ve done well or the support to boost your morale back up if you haven’t.
Win lose or draw, walking off the scales or the field everyone goes home happy.
I am quite proud to be a part of MAN v FAT and what I like most is seeing others doing really well and achieving some great goals. On our first week, myself and a few others were so unfit we couldn’t last 7 minutes of running – our legs or lungs were crying – but a few weeks in and we are managing full matches.
What targets do you have in mind during your time with MAN v FAT?
I have already surpassed any efforts doing normal diets or lonely gym fads. so my target is quite simple – to get back happy with myself and feeling fitter, lighter and healthier!
What would you say to guys like you who are thinking about joining MAN v FAT Rugby?
Go for it, just turn up and check it out, you’ve got nothing to lose and loads to gain from it! There’s no pressure, just support. You will soon see loads of like minded people with the same goals, and you won’t look back, I promise.
Want to get started?
Take a look at www.manvfatrugby.com for your closest club and how to sign up. We can’t wait to meet you!
