Team player: Amazing Loser David Porterfield

We’re SO impressed by Amazing Loser David’s commitment to his MAN v FAT Challenge team – he’s cut out takeaways and biscuits to make sure that he doesn’t let them down, which is a very strong show of commitment…

Name: David Porterfield

Age: 54

Location: Darlington

Occupation: IT manager

Height: 5″ 10′

Start weight: 107kg (16st 11, 235lbs)

Current weight: 88kg (13st 12lbs, 194lbs)

Weight lost: 19kg (2st 13.9, 41.9lbs)

How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?

I’ve always been the fat guy. I did well a few years ago and lost a lot of weight but it all went back on.

I felt ashamed of myself for letting it get so bad. I was ashamed when meeting people and had really low self-confidence.

What made you decide to change?

COVID. I didn’t want obesity listed as an underlying health issue on my hospital notes if I got there. 

Had you tried to lose weight before? What made this time different?

Yes, I was on a constant diet. It was a cycle of losing a few pounds, then putting more on, and repeat.

This time, I decided to give MAN v FAT Challenge a go and the accountability and being part of a team has really helped me stay focused.

What did you eat before you lost weight?

For breakfast, I’d have 3 slices of toast with thick butter and marmalade.

Lunch would be a full tin of beans on 4 slices of toast. Dinner would be a couple of bowls of spaghetti bolognese with pitta bread.

In between, I’d have loads of biscuits and probably a McDonald’s a couple of times a week – all washed down with beer and wine. Pure gluttony!

What do you eat now?

Breakfast is 45g of muesli with skimmed milk.

Lunch is 2 boiled eggs and 1 slice toast (no butter), and dinner might be a chicken salad with pitta bread.

My snacks are mainly fruit. I’ve not had a takeaway for 13 weeks now!

You’re a MAN v FAT Challenge member, how has it helped you lose weight?

Being part of a team has really helped me. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have gone to the ‘goody cupboard’, had the biscuit tin open but thought no – that would let my team down. So I’ve not had a biscuit since January! 

MAN v FAT Challenge keeps you busy and focused on weight loss, and there’s always something to do. It’s better than just a weekly weigh in.

I was glad to have Challenge as an alternative to MAN v FAT Football, as to be honest I wasn’t sure my old legs would take the football. I was pleased to have Challenge as a slightly more realistic option for me. If you sign up for Challenge and commit yourself for a whole season, you’ll definitely see results.

 

What has been the most difficult thing about losing weight?

Fitting it in with family life. I have a couple of transfers at home who eat like horses, so there is always unhealthy stuff around. 

I’ve had to be a bit selfish and just say this is what I’m eating – you don’t have to join me, but I am not going to slip.

But in fact they have enjoyed some of the stuff I have been cooking up. Having said that, I often end up making 2 meals.

How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?

I feel much stronger. I feel more awake, less sweaty and more confident.

Time for a shout-out! Who has helped you lose weight, and how have they supported you?

Roger the coach and Cords my captain have been great. And the rest of the team have been good too.

If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?

Stop feeling sorry for yourself and making excuses – sort your diet and exercise out!

Now that you’ve lost weight, what are your next steps?

I want to lose another stone, so I plan on continuing with Challenge. But when I reach my ideal weight I think it would be good to keep going with it, as the accountability will help me keep weight off.

You’re Prime Minister for the day – what would you do to help combat the current obesity crisis?

Shut all fast food places – except fish and chips as we all need a treat!

What three things do other fat men need to know about losing weight?

1. If I can do it, anyone can
2. It doesn’t hurt!
3. You’ll feel so much better all-round when you start seeing results.

Many thanks to David for sharing his story! If you want to be featured as an Amazing Loser, send us an email – press@manvfat.com 

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