Having stepped into the US in late 2024, we’re now beginning to see the lads in our Soccer leagues hit those self same exceptional adjustments, with some large weight reduction totals – and the US tally to date is a collective whole of practically 7,000lbs.
One of many large contributors to that whole is Jason King, one of many unique MAN v FAT Soccer gamers in our Tampa Bay league.
Becoming a member of with no actual earlier soccer expertise, Jason is about to hit 30% weight reduction in his time with us and tremendous tuned his skills on the sector too.
He has twice misplaced probably the most weight in a Tampa Bay season and his league colleague Antonio Salguero tells us: “Jason has embodied the spirit of MAN v FAT: accountability, development, humility, and group. He’s somebody new gamers naturally gravitate towards, and his journey continues to encourage males throughout our league.”
Military veteran Jason’s weight reduction has taken him from 264lbs to 187lbs to date and never solely have his clothes sizes dropped a few ranges, he’s additionally extra importantly gone from pre-diabetic, hypertension and excessive ldl cholesterol to nice stats throughout the board.
We caught up with Jason for the lowdown on the secrets and techniques to his success.
What was it made you be a part of MAN v FAT within the first place?
Only a month after my fortieth birthday, I discovered myself up at 2AM unable to sleep and doom scrolling social media after I stumbled throughout a MAN v FAT advert. At this level I used to be at 264lbs and actually scuffling with melancholy. My spouse had warned me for some time I used to be getting actually heavy, however each time I attempted to drop pounds, I’d discover myself in a begin cease cycle of small successes and big failures.
I thought of it, however was afraid I’d proceed in the identical cycle, so I made excuses. Oh, that’s cash I might use for different issues. Oh, you haven’t performed soccer since sixth grade, you received’t be any good. Oh would possibly as nicely not begin, since you’re simply going to get laughed off the sector. So I talked to my spouse who instructed me, “For those who’re , what’s the hurt in checking it out? Perhaps you’ll end up having enjoyable. Plus having a ‘third place’ may very well be good in your psychological well being.”
So I reached out to Coach Mike and got here within the subsequent Thursday solely to seek out an important group of fellows in the identical boat. All of us have tried and didn’t drop pounds prior to now, and right here we will all push one another to get more healthy and hold accountable. I joined Staff Blue and located myself not eager to let the group down by gaining weight that week. The primary three seasons have been powerful, and I discovered myself in a 0lb loss, 5lb loss, and 0lb loss. This was a begin, and I wanted to maintain going to see progress.
What’s it about this system that has supported your successes to this point?
Accountability full cease. Since my first night time, my aim was to not rating any personal objectives. Partly from a aggressive facet, however I additionally didn’t need to be disingenuous when attempting to encourage others. Just a few months later, Season 3 rolls round and we each add a brand new group and alter up current groups by way of a draft. It was additionally at the moment that I actually buckled down.
I used to be a part of a brand new group, and we had new members within the league trying to the “veterans” for motivation and recommendation. I joined within the final week of season 1, however I felt as if I used to be in that group. Eager to be a superb affect, I labored all through the week to ensure that come weigh-in I used to be prepared. 3 Seasons later and I’m now the captain for Inter Umami (Staff Pink) and proceed to attempt to be the constructive affect each for my group and others.
How highly effective is the group ethos inside MAN v FAT and notably at Tampa?
Group is the core of our league. It’s not nearly wins and loses on the pitch, but additionally how we come collectively. The perfect days are shut matches that everybody is cheering everybody else on ultimately.
Usually I see these within the first match of the night time wait to look at the second sport; and for me, that’s necessary. Generally life will get in the best way and you could go away earlier than the top of sport 2, however there’s something to be mentioned about having the opposite groups keep to cheer on the present match. I actually really feel that numerous us really feel the identical manner.
What have been the methods wherein you’ve managed to succeed by way of the course of the week to hit constant weight reduction?
Every week it will get a bit simpler, and the controversial reply is that earlier on in my journey, my physician seen my struggles with the load loss, however the effort I used to be placing in. I used to be additionally pre-diabetic, had hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea and different medical circumstances.
At the moment, she began me on a GLP-1 therapy. To some it’s a miracle drug, however for me, it was one other device in my arsenal. I’ve tried every part from simply consuming much less, to figuring out a number of occasions every week, however nothing labored. For me, the treatment helped by reducing urge for food and serving to my physique to course of the blood sugars that my physique simply refused to course of out. That mentioned, if I did nothing however the treatment I nonetheless wouldn’t see the development.
MAN v FAT helped by giving me extra motivation to go on walks with my spouse and pups, to take the steps as an alternative of the elevator at work, and even simply to verify I’m paying consideration not simply to how a lot I’m consuming, but additionally to what I’m consuming. As a result of I’m not consuming as a lot, it’s necessary to make sure that what I do eat is sweet for my physique. As an alternative of consuming out on a regular basis, I’ve fallen in love with the kitchen and infrequently will prepare dinner for my household. With that in thoughts, I do know what’s going into the meals I’m consuming.
What are your long run well being and wellbeing objectives, each with MAN v FAT and past?
As of this writing I’m lower than a pound from hitting my 30% milestone and weighing in at 183.5 lbs. My closest subsequent aim is 179 and that’s to formally go from being overweight to being chubby for the primary time since no less than my Military days.
Based on the BMI charts, I must be within the 150s for my peak, so I’m aiming for that long run. I’m wanting to have the ability to run a 2 mile time and go the outdated PT requirements I needed to obtain prior to now. From a wellbeing aim, I need to proceed to assist encourage those that are scuffling with their journey. MAN v FAT has been an enormous affect in my life and at some point I might see myself in a behind the scenes function in serving to others to seek out that motivation and obtain their very own objectives.
Wish to comply with Jason’s instance?
For those who’re eager to get began at MAN v FAT, you possibly can be a part of Jason and the fellows at Tampa or have a look on our web site to see our ever rising listing of leagues!
