A Journey of Transformation: From Obesity to Football and Health
George Ferreira, a 26-year-old freelance social media manager, has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding nearly half of his bodyweight in under two years. At his heaviest, he weighed almost 40 stone (560lbs/254kg), a result of an addiction to takeaways and sugary drinks that began during his school years.
George recalls, “At my worst, I was stressed, and I ate. I’m depressed, and I ate. I was probably eating my way to an early grave.” His family was deeply concerned and urged him to speak to a doctor. However, the idea of undergoing surgery or receiving injections frightened him. He decided it was time to take control of his health.
In 2023, George discovered the charity MANvFAT Football, but he hesitated for a year due to feelings of being overwhelmed by his weight. Eventually, in March 2024, he mustered the courage to attend a session at Boreham Wood FC. On his first day, the scales showed 39.2 stone (548lb/249kg), and he broke down on the pitch after struggling to keep up with the pace. With support from his coach, Victor, he began to make progress.
Through regular weigh-ins, six-a-side matches, and healthy diet changes, George has now lost a significant amount of weight. He currently weighs 21 stone (294lbs/133kg) and has gone from wearing size 68 trousers to size 44. He shared, “I remember just everything leading up to it being really daunting, even being added to the team.”
The initiative involves a league table where weight loss scores and game results determine the team’s position. Winning teams and players are celebrated at the end of the season, and participants also receive healthy meal recipe ideas.
Previously, George’s diet included foods like ham and cheese toasties for breakfast, washed down with a full-fat Coke, followed by hearty lunches and chicken wings for dinner. He would snack on Haribo Starmix sharing packs, cakes, sausage rolls, full tubs of ice cream, and Monster energy drinks.
Now, George follows a one-meal-a-day diet, typically consisting of a MyProtein ready meal with Coke Zero. He has swapped unhealthy snacks for Babybel Lights, Muller Light Yoghurt, and bananas. He explained, “Lunch is my anchor meal – something balanced like chicken, rice and beans, salmon with salad or a MyProtein ready meal because they are calorie controlled, taste great and remove the hassle of measuring everything.”
However, while some say the ‘one meal a day diet’, OMAD, has helped them lose weight, experts have warned it could contribute to disordered eating, fuel hormone imbalances, and disrupt sleep.
George’s journey to weight loss began during his sixth form at school, where he experienced the freedom to eat what he wanted. Around school, there were chippies, chicken shops, and pizza places, and he ate without a second thought.
The weight loss has completely changed his life, making basic tasks like walking up stairs and buying clothes seamless. Looking ahead, George hopes to try Sunday League to see if he can play a full 90-minute match. He also dreams of participating in the national “big loser” game, where 11 men from the north and south who have lost the most weight compete in a proper stadium with former managers.
George, a fan of Benefica and QPR, says, “I don’t think I’ll ever hit my [recommended] BMI weight. I think 85 to 90 kilos would be my sweet spot. Part of being a bigger dude is what made me who I am today. I’ve developed humor, I’m caring and kind because I’ve been that guy.”
His advice for anyone looking to make a change in their life is simple: “You don’t need anything dramatic. You either keep turning up or you disappear, and I chose not to disappear.”
