More Than Weight Loss: How WaistBand of Brothers is Helping Men Get Healthier Together

For many men, taking the first step towards better health can feel daunting. Whether it’s confidence, motivation, or simply not knowing where to begin, the barriers are real.

The Active Hastings WaistBand of Brothers (WBB) Weight Management Programme was created to break down those barriers, offering a welcoming, supportive space where men can improve their health together.

Designed for men aged 18+ in Hastings and St Leonards with a BMI over 30, the free 12-week programme focuses on building sustainable habits that support both physical and mental wellbeing.

But while weight loss is often what brings men through the door, it’s rarely what keeps them there.

 

More Than Just Weight Loss

Many men don’t just attend WBB to lose weight.

They come to:

• Get out of the house
• Meet new people
• Take time for themselves away from work and family life
• Talk openly in a safe, supportive environment.

Since launching, the programme has supported over 90 men aged between 26 and 80, creating a diverse and inclusive community.

WBB has become known as a positive, fun, and judgement-free space, where conversations go far beyond calories and exercise. Participants regularly share experiences around stress, anxiety, mental health, and everyday life challenges.

 

Learning the Skills for Long-Term Change

The 12-week course combines education, discussion, and physical activity in a way that feels accessible and achievable. Each week includes an hour of discussion and learning followed by a 30 minute low intensity group workout designed to build confidence and help people get moving again.

Participants explore practical, real life topics such as:

• Understanding calorie balance and nutrition
• Reading food labels
• Breaking unhelpful habits
• Managing emotional eating
• Mindfulness and wellbeing
• Building physical activity into everyday life.

The aim is not quick fixes or restrictive diets, but helping people understand their relationship with food, movement, and wellbeing so they can maintain healthy habits long after the programme ends.  The programme starts gently, focusing on simple movement and stretching, before gradually building towards longer aerobic sessions by the end of the course.

For many, the progress is life changing. What starts as small steps can lead to major milestones:

• Climbing stairs without getting out of breath
• Sleeping better and having more energy
• Improved concentration and mental clarity
• Even doing press-ups for the first time in decades.

Some participants, even later in life, say it’s the first time they’ve truly understood how a balanced diet and regular movement impact everything from gut health to immunity.

As Active Hastings Weight Management Lead Heidi explains:

“We don’t just look at what you eat, we look at all the things that affect your eating: emotional state, stress, family responsibilities, self-care, and work/life balance."

“For many of the men we work with, their health isn’t just about weight — it’s about feeling better day to day, having more energy, sleeping better, and improving their mental wellbeing. That’s why this programme takes a holistic approach, helping people understand how everything is connected."

“What makes WaistBand of Brothers different is that we deliver it in a way that feels supportive rather than clinical. Learning as a group, sharing experiences, and building trust with others who are in a similar position creates a powerful environment for change. It’s not about quick fixes, it’s about giving people the knowledge, confidence, and support to make sustainable changes that last.”

 

The Power of Brotherhood

While the expert guidance is important, what truly sets WBB apart is the connection between participants.

Over 12-weeks, strangers often become close friends.

Men support each other through difficult weeks, celebrate successes, and create an environment where honesty feels safe. Many say the most powerful realisation is simply this: you’re not alone.

That sense of brotherhood doesn’t end when the course does.

• WhatsApp groups remain active years after completion, with over 50 members still connected
• Participants continue to meet regularly to talk, walk, and support each other
• Social activities now include board game nights, BBQs, and informal meetups at each other’s homes.

For many, this ongoing connection is just as valuable as the health improvements.

 

Staying Active Together

For most participants, WBB is just the beginning.

After completing the course, many continue their journey by taking part in other activities, including:

• Creating a Healthier You sessions
• Circuits classes
• Weekly evening walks
• Parkruns
• Cycling trips (such as Hastings Pier to Eastbourne’s seafront)
• Open tennis sessions.

Others have gone on to join wider community groups such as Talk Club, Mr Hastings & St Leonards, and men’s social groups like Grumpy Cook.

These pathways help men maintain momentum, stay connected, and keep improving their health long after the initial 12 weeks.

 

From Participant to Purpose

For some, WBB becomes a turning point in life.

One participant, Keith, joined the programme in 2022 weighing 110kg. Since then, he has reduced his weight to 90kg, an 18% loss, alongside significant improvements in body composition and fitness.

But his journey didn’t stop there.

He has since become a volunteer, supporting other sessions and giving back to the programme that helped him begin his transformation. Volunteering has provided him with purpose, structure, and a positive boost to his mental health.

 

What Participants Say

“You make some great lifelong friends. You realise there are other people out there with the same problems, and you feel happy to share and get support. I would recommend this course 100%.”

“It taught me about nutrition, portion sizes, exercise, and helped my mental health. I also made lifelong friends. It’s not just a course, it’s a lifestyle.”

“You realise you're not alone, that's the crucial point to the course's success.”

“My highlight of 2025!”

“It was the right balance of information, discussion and exercise, with ongoing support and friendship as a bonus.”

“It sounds easy; eat less, do more. But without the support from the group, I couldn’t have done it.”

 

More Than a Programme

While many participants achieve significant weight loss and fitness improvements, the true impact of WaistBand of Brothers goes far beyond the scales.

The programme helps men to:

• Build lasting friendships
• Improve both physical and mental wellbeing
• Gain confidence and independence
• Discover new activities and opportunities
• Stay connected through ongoing support networks.

By combining practical health education with genuine human connection, Active Hastings has created something powerful:

A programme where men don’t just lose weight - they gain confidence, community, and a healthier future.

 

For more information on our WB B course email the Active Hastings team or call us on 01424 451051. Or to register your interest in the course, visit our online booking platform.