It just took one photo for Callum Hopkins to realise the toll working from home was taking on his body.
The 32-year-old software engineer had moved away from the office at the onset of the Covid pandemic.
And like many others during this time, he began to put on weight.
But it wasn’t until he spent a day in the garden with his family at home in Inverurie, in April 2021, that he realised something needed to change.
Callum explained: “I realised just by looking at photographs in the back garden with my son and my partner that this work from home wasn’t doing well for my wellbeing.
“I’d got myself up to about 20 stone in weight.”
Then and there, he decided he’d change his diet and keep an eye on his calories.
In the months that followed he also started hitting the gym for some cardio – but struggled to find the motivation to keep going.
‘Playing with people in the same position’
By the summer, Callum admits his efforts had “trailed off”, with his restricted diet “a bit of a downer”.
But, by chance, he saw an advert for Man V Fat football sessions in Aberdeen and signed up.
“I didn’t take opportunities when I was younger to play football,” he said.
“It kind of fitted two wants – to be playing football with people, but also not playing with those who are already very skilful or athletic. People kind of in the same position as me.
“There’s a bit of competitiveness, but the main thing is to be healthy, have fun and get exercise.”
Between the weekly sessions at Goals Aberdeen on a Friday evening, and being more careful about what he’s eating, Callum has experienced a dramatic transformation.
After weighing in at 20 stone last April, he’s now down to 14 stone and 13 pounds.
‘There’s no shame – you’re not alone’
Callum stressed how much better he feels physically and mentally as a result.
He said: “It’s nice for my body image from that point of view, but I think the main thing is from doing the football, that’s really improved my physicality.
“I feel fitter, I’ve got more stamina, that’s been the biggest one and the camaraderie within the group, to have a group of guys all there for the same purposes.
“There’s no shame, we all love food and we’re all facing the same problems.
“It makes you feel like you’re not alone in the challenges you face.
“We’ve got an official channel with the coach which keeps us up to date with what’s going on but also passing on advice from Man V Fat football.”
‘Changes you can do without losing things you love’
Callum has learned how to replace certain foods with others so he can still get the “fix” he sometimes craves.
“Someone gave me one of these diet planners that had a breakdown of things to eat that are good calorie numbers and good for you in general,” he added.
“Through that plan and reading things online, there are a lot of changes people can do with their diet without actually losing out on the things they love.
“For example, there’s 50% reduced fat cheese and low-calorie bread, so you can still have that cheese on toast comfort food fix.
“When you start being aware of these substitutes, you find there’s a lot of ways you can control your intake whilst not giving up on the things you love.”
Conversation