Ever had a “good” week… then absolutely undone it by Sunday night?

In this episode of Big Fellas, we’re chatting about what we call the silent saboteurs — the sneaky little habits that quietly wreck your weight loss without you even realising.

Because let’s be honest… most of us don’t struggle because we’re lazy or unmotivated. We struggle because of the stuff we’ve normalised.

We get into:

• 🍔 The weekend blowout – why five solid days can get wiped out by two “ah go on then” days
• 🍺 Using alcohol as a reward (and how it’s probably costing you more than you think)
• 🍽️ Portion sizes – especially if you grew up being told to “clear your plate”
• 😩 Emotional eating disguised as hunger
• 💥 The “it moment” – that split second where one bad choice turns into a full-on spiral

This episode is all about awareness. Not guilt. Not shame. Just calling out the habits that might be quietly holding you back.

Because once you spot them, you can sort them.

And remember — one bad meal, one bad day, even one bad weekend doesn’t undo everything. Consistency wins. Always.

This episode is brought to you by MAN v FAT Football.

If you’re a bloke looking to lose weight and fancy doing it alongside other lads in the same boat, MAN v FAT combines football with weight loss support — and it works.

Use the code BIGFELLAS when you sign up, and you can join for just £1.

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Get involved. Get moving. And we’ll see you on the pitch.

In this episode of Big Fellas Weight Loss for Men, Darren and Mark dive into some powerful conversations taken from the Facebook group Men and Their Emotions — a space where men are opening up about what they’re really dealing with beneath the surface.

The discussion covers food addiction, emotional eating, past trauma, and the crossover between food, alcohol, and substance use. Darren and Mark talk honestly about why these issues are rarely “just about food”, and how unaddressed emotional pain often drives the behaviours many men feel stuck with.

They also challenge the stigma around men talking about their emotions, especially when it comes to food addiction, which is often brushed off or minimised compared to drugs or alcohol. This episode is about creating space for real conversations, taking responsibility without shame, and understanding that lasting change starts with what’s going on in your head — not just what’s on your plate.

1. Many men use food as a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, and unresolved emotional pain.
2. Food addiction can be just as damaging as alcohol or drug addiction, even if it’s not treated the same way socially.
3. Ignoring emotional struggles often leads to physical health problems over time.
4. Isolation makes addiction harder to deal with — opening up is a crucial first step.
5. Support, honesty, and self-awareness are key to breaking long-term destructive patterns.
6. You don’t fix deep issues with surface-level solutions — the mindset matters as much as the meal plan.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Man v Fat — a weight loss programme built specifically for men.

Man v Fat focuses on sustainable weight loss, accountability, and support, whether that’s through their leagues, online programmes, or community.

Head over to www.manvfat.org and use the promo code BIGFELLAS to sign up for just £1 instead of £10.

In this insightful and thought-provoking episode of Big Fellas, Darren and Mark are joined by Sam Gibson to unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of weight loss — emotional eating.

Together, they explore why overeating so often has little to do with hunger and everything to do with how we cope with stress, loneliness, boredom, and emotional discomfort. Sam explains how food can become a form of self-soothing, filling emotional gaps rather than physical ones, and why simply “having more willpower” rarely works.

The conversation dives into identifying personal triggers, recognising behavioural patterns, and understanding how each person’s relationship with food is unique. Rather than focusing on restriction, this episode encourages listeners to look deeper — at fulfilment, connection, and purpose — as the real foundations of long-term change.

This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight for anyone who feels stuck in cycles of overeating and wants a healthier, more balanced relationship with food.

Key Takeaways:

1. Emotional eating is driven by feelings, not physical hunger.
2. Overeating often acts as a coping mechanism for deeper emotional issues.
3. Identifying personal triggers is essential to breaking the cycle.
4. Everyone’s relationship with food is different and needs a tailored approach.
5. Long-term change comes from addressing fulfilment, connection, and purpose — not restriction alone.

You can find Sam's book on Amazon here: https://amzn.eu/d/cQdmXwu

🎯 Sponsored by Man v Fat

If emotional eating is holding you back, community and accountability can make a huge difference. Join Man v Fat and surround yourself with support on your journey.

👉 https://manvfatfootball.org/