If you're needing to lose a few pounds then the new season of MAN v FAT Football Ipswich might be just what you're looking for.
MAN v FAT Football is quite unique. Every week you get weighed, then play a 30-minute friendly but competitive six-a-side match against players of varying sizes and abilities.
Then the scores are updated with your team's success on the scales. Goals are awarded for a weekly loss, consistent weight loss over three weeks, and hat-tricks awarded for five per cent and 10 per cent losses.
The Ipswich league is hosted at Portman Road on the practice pitch, and the coach is Tom Irving who is the performance nutritionist at ITFC.
TWTD's Gavin Wilding has been playing in his local league since August 2018 and has had considerable success: "I can't recommend MvF highly enough. I'm in my late 40s and hadn't kicked a ball since I was 16.
"I had no skill at all (and I mean none), did no exercise and I was 248lbs (112kg). I saw a feature on BBC's The One Show and thought I'd give it a try. To say I was nervous on registration night is an understatement.
"Fast forward to now, I've just started my third season after losing 46lbs (21kg) and I'm now 202lbs (92kg). I'm now captain of the team, have won two league titles, am holder of our last season’s trophy and my fellow team-mates recently awarded me man of the match for my Linighan-esque performance in a 5-0 win.
"I've recently been to the GP for a general check-up and, while thankfully I don't have a specific problem, all my blood tests have come back normal with improvements made across the board due to my weight loss."
He added: "The new friends I've made I hope are there for life. Our WhatsApp group is very busy and we run an additional weekly 60-minute five-a-side game, and the lads are often grouping up for park runs and bike rides. Our end of season night out was great and can't wait for the next one. We'll also be applying to play at the MCFC's Etihad Training Academy for MvF's national event in July.
"I'm not local to Ipswich, but Town fans have got it good. How I'd love to play behind the Co-op Stand and pick Tom Irving's brain about what happens at the club. I'm sure I could learn a few things too about my own diet from him.
"It costs £25 a month, but that does compare well to other schemes like Slimming World considering the cost of pitch hire and equipment. If you need to lose some weight, then I fully recommend giving it a try."
The next league starts 14th June at 7pm at Portman Road. Click here for more details. Feel free to add comments below or on the forum and Gavin will answer any questions you may have.