Matt's story

Your start weight, current weight and how long it took.

My starting weight was 19st 3lbs269lbs122kg, and my current weight is hovering around 13st 1lbs183lbs83kg. I started in earnest in August of 2025. So it has taken around 9 months to lose 6st 2lbs86lbs39kg.

What prompted your decision to lose weight?

My daughter! She's five years old, and as she's got older, she has become faster, stronger and more active. I was starting to become unable to keep up with her, and it became a struggle to carry her or play with her in the way she wanted me to. I was always taking five-minute breaks to sit down and recuperate before trying again, and it became exhausting. I wasn't the dad that she believed me to be. I had to change for her, and with recent family bereavements, I didn't want to leave it too late.

How did you hear about Nutracheck?

I'd been vaguely aware of Nutracheck for quite some time and had flirted with tracking as a means of maintaining a focus on my food intake, but it wasn't until the MAN v FAT development day in Birmingham last year that I gained a full picture of exactly what benefits it could provide me.

Has your weight stayed fairly consistent over the years, or have you always had to manage it?

I've slowly and steadily gained weight over the years since being relatively healthy and active as a teenager. Most of my job roles have always been active and I've always been up and about. At the start of the first lockdown, I began a new job behind a desk. Whilst I love it and wouldn't change it for the world, it meant I was losing at least 12,000 steps each day of incidental fitness. This saw the weight creep up to 122kg. My decision-making wasn't great and I was impulsively reaching for the convenient and unhealthy foods. I calculated that in one month, I spent close to £200 on fast food and chocolate alone. This shocked me into action. Joining MAN v FAT meant I had a way of increasing my fitness in a safe, fun and energetic environment. This has helped enormously and is a key feature of my weight loss.

Have you experienced any health improvements?

Weight loss is one thing, but my mental health has improved dramatically. It was a vicious circle. I'd feel tired, so I would choose unhealthy food as I couldn't be bothered to cook, my sleep would then be terrible, and the next day I wouldn't be able to do as much. I'd then feel lethargic and sluggish and choose unhealthy food again. The cycle would repeat itself again after a terrible night's sleep. Today I have so much more energy! I'm writing this after attending a spin class at 6.30am in the morning! That would have been unheard of, so my motivation has improved considerably. This reverses that vicious cycle of poor mental health and has brought such positive benefits. My body fat has gone down from 33.1% to 16% today. This is a huge difference in itself, which has such amazing health benefits. My heart rate, blood pressure and other measurements have all fallen within the healthy ranges. I'm excited to go for my physical health MOT at the GP's next month to gain a fuller picture and see the full range of improvements made.

How easy was it to fit the changes you made into your lifestyle?

It was very hard at first. It was such a big reversal of my habits and routine that it took a while to become adjusted to the new structure. The key difference was in the planning of the food over the next day and week. This allowed me to control portions and choices, but also see ahead when I could allow myself the odd treat or beer. With the support of MAN v FAT, I became part of a team and recognised that I wasn't just doing it for myself, but for my team too. We had a league title to win! Tracking what I consumed was easy with Nutracheck, and as the app began to recognise my habits, it was even easier. It wasn't so much tracking as it was forecasting. I couldn't have done it without the app, as it would have been purely guesswork in terms of calories and macros. Today, I can look ahead at next week and have a rough idea of what I have to eat, but where I have to make extra effort in terms of protein and fibre, amongst other macros. The biggest factor in helping to sustain these lifestyle changes has been the support of my wife and daughter. My wife is so keen on advocating for a healthy lifestyle that it feels like we're a team and in this together. This is bound to rub off on our daughter as we become the role models in her life.

What was the most difficult thing about your weight loss journey?

Overcoming the plateaus that naturally occur from time to time. I remember sticking at around 96kg for what seemed like an eternity at the time. I had to remind myself that consistency pays off. It soon shifted and it gave me the confidence to overcome similar plateaus when they occurred. I didn't let it discourage me, whereas it would have before. My motivation would have slipped and I would have risked falling into my old habits.

How do you feel now compared to before?

I feel like a completely different person. It is not an understatement to say that my weight loss journey has completely changed my life and my outlook. It's not only my own self-perception, but others have started to notice a difference in my personality. I'm more positive, sociable, and eager to get stuck into work, hobbies and events.

Any notable milestones to report?

Crossing the 100kg line felt significant to me. I was in my early 20s the last time I was that light. I carried my daughter for 3 kilometres over a huge incline the other week and it occurred to me that I was carrying her weight around me every day. How did I manage? It felt unbelievable. Another milestone I'm proud of is being able to keep up with my daughter in everything she does now!

What 3 tips would you give to anyone who has weight to lose?

1. Consistency is key. Track everything, even if you think you've gone over your target. It's the key to spotting trends and influencing factors in weight loss.
2. Build a support network or tap into existing ones you already have. Without that support, it becomes a lonely battle.
3. Don't measure progress by weight alone. Measure it by your fitness, clothes sizing and other measures. It helped me to overcome my plateaus by recognising the drop in waist size within that time frame.

In partnership with MAN v FAT