James Nash, a 33-year-old civil engineer from Eastleigh, Hampshire, has shed more than 11 stone in just two years after overhauling his diet and lifestyle. At his heaviest, he weighed 24st 9lbs, relying on McDonald's breakfasts, supermarket meal deals, and takeaways. His turning point came when a doctor advised him to lose weight following swelling in his leg.
Turning point and joining Man v Fat
In January 2024, Nash signed up to the Man v Fat weight-loss programme, which combines football with weekly weigh-ins. He said the sense of community kept him motivated. "Walking into a room full of guys on the same journey to sort of bare your embarrassment was daunting," he said. "The hardest step was doing the first week, but I actually quite enjoyed it and there are some really good guys there. Everyone there is doing the same thing - just trying to play football, lose weight and get healthier."
Diet transformation
Before the change, Nash's daily intake reached around 4,000 calories, including a McDonald's McMuffin, hash brown, large sweet coffee, a Tesco meal deal, snacks, a heavy dinner, and regular Domino's takeaways. Now, his diet includes coffee and yoghurt for breakfast, lean protein and fruit for lunch, and lighter dinners like chicken sausages, eggs, vegetables, and reduced-fat cheese. He still allows occasional McDonald's breakfasts but plans his meals carefully.
Impact on life and family
Nash dropped from extra-large to medium clothing sizes and said the changes improved his mental health, energy levels, and family life. His partner Sophie also lost weight, and they now share a fitness routine. "We're so much happier now, in ourselves and our appearances, and just our family life," he said. "With my kids, I can take them out on a whim now, get their bikes and go to the park, get really involved. I've got more energy to go and be a fun dad, so that's cool."
