‘I had to do something when I began having real issues with my health’
At his heaviest, Joey Dangsida weighed 25 stone and found he was constantly tired while working in a busy Thai restaurant saw him eat “whatever was there”. But, after a literal wake-up call from a stranger, he made major changes that included one specific exercise.
After he fell asleep on the tube, and was snoring so loudly due to his size, he had to be nudged awake by a stranger. Joey called this the “wake-up call” that prompted him to start losing weight.
The chef joined a football group for overweight men, which he went to once a week, and stuck to a calorie deficit without ditching his favourite foods. In December, he got close to weighing 16 stone – an achievement that has boosted his confidence and seen him showered with compliments from friends.
Joey, from Westminster, said: “The realisation that I had to do something came when I began having real issues with my health. I struggled with sleep, felt constantly tired during the day, and even found myself unintentionally snoring loudly on the tube during my commute.
“On one occasion, a stranger had to nudge me awake because of it. That was a wake-up call.”
Joey, who confessed he had “always been a big guy”, used to eat 400 grams of rice at every meal while working in a busy kitchen. After deciding to make a change, he overcame early nerves to join a MAN v FAT football club in November 2023.
He had “tried so many diets” over the years but achieved a breakthrough when he realised he could keep eating his favourite foods if he stuck to a calorie target of 2,000 per day for steady weight loss.
Joey said: “I still ate fast food and junk food but I started to count my calories. My diet is basically the same, just with smaller portion sizes. I want to stick with this healthy lifestyle and I’m not up for chicken breast and boiled vegetables every single day.”
Having shed over 30 per cent of his starting weight, Joey has now joined a gym – something he says he would never have had the confidence to do before. He is a member of MAN v FAT Football Westminster – a group that helps men with BMIs over 27.5 shed pounds through the game.
They meet up once a week and play 28-minute games of small-sided football, with each team’s weight loss and goals scored during the matches all contributing to league standings. Players also get help with diet, general fitness and mental health with the scheme helping more than 8,500 football and rugby fans shed pounds across the UK.
He said: “I started my weight loss journey at 160kg (25 stone), and to make a real change, I knew that I needed to find a sport I enjoyed while working toward better fitness. I considered local football groups, but as a bigger guy with low confidence in my skills, I couldn’t bring myself to sign up.
“Then I came across a MAN v FAT advertisement. I researched it straight away and instantly decided to sign up – it felt like the perfect fit. I joined on my own so at first, I was deeply nervous. But everyone was so friendly and welcoming that it quickly felt like a community.
“Ever since joining MAN v FAT, I have always looked forward to attending each week’s session and seeing the friends I’ve made at the club. What I enjoy most about the club is that it brings together a group of big guys who share the same love for football.
“What makes it even better is the mixed-skill environment – some players are completely new to the sport, while others are very talented. Everyone is so welcoming, and there’s a strong sense of encouragement and support.”
Since losing weight, Joey says his confidence has “skyrocketed”. He said: “The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it.
“One of the best parts is hearing people around me say that I look better, slimmer, and healthier. Those little compliments really make my day and keep me motivated to keep going.” You can find out more about MAN v FAT Football and sign up for your local club here.
BEFORE THE WEIGHT LOSS
- Breakfast: Coffee
- Lunch: Two portions stir-fry with pork, beef or chicken
- Dinner: Krapow with 400 grams of rice
AFTER THE WEIGHT LOSS
- Breakfast: Huel protein shake
- Lunch: Grilled chicken or beef with boiled vegetables
- Dinner: Grilled pork with boiled vegetables
