Toronto mayor Ford to launch weight-loss campaign

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, are polarizing figures for their promises to cut the fat and tighten belts at City Hall.

And now they're aiming to practise what they preach with a very public weight-loss campaign.

"We want to cut the fat from the City of Toronto in more ways than one." Doug Ford told TV station CP24 on Wednesday.

Doug Ford said the brothers will hold public weigh-ins at City Hall on Monday with the goal of not only losing weight, but also raising money for charity.

Ford said he wants to get the entire city involved.

"This is going to be very public," CBC's Marivel Taruc reported Wednesday. "They want to encourage everyone else in the city to join them on their quest."

Rob Ford, who ran for mayor on a campaign of cutting "gravy" at City Hall, has referred to himself in the past as "300 pounds of fun." During a year-end interview with CBC last month, Ford said Tim Hortons and McDonald's had become his best friends since he won office.

Doug Ford said he'll have to cut back on chocolate milk.

Taruc said the Ford's motivation is family. "They want to be around to see their kids get married, they want to be around to see their grandkids, so that's the motivation," she said.

Ford won’t be the first Toronto mayor to try to shed weight.

The previous mayor, David Miller, dropped about 50 pounds during his time in office.