Toronto Mayor Rob Ford lost weight for the second straight week on Monday, tipping the scales at 314 lbs. as the image of savoury Super Bowl snacks threatened to derail his weight-loss challenge.
Ford has lost six pounds since he weighed himself last Monday, and has lost a total of 16 pounds since his six-month weight-loss campaign began two weeks ago.
His brother, Coun. Doug Ford, weighed in at 260 pounds – also six pounds less than he weighed last week.
"I worked my back off this week," Doug Ford said. "It is getting tougher as we go. We are working out constantly…. We wanna thank the encouragement out there. That is what is keeping us going."
Both brothers have lost weight since their "Cut the Waist Challenge" began on Jan. 16.
Mayor Ford began the challenge at a weight of 330 lbs., while his brother started at 275 lbs.
Ford said his goal was to drop 50 lbs. over the next six months.
Both Fords said that curbing their eating habits are the hardest part of the challenge.
The mayor has admitted that Super Bowl Sunday will be a difficult test of his conviction.
"Sunday is going to be a challenge. It is my favourite day of the year," Ford said.
"It is definitely getting harder. This is when the real meat starts coming off."
Members of the public are invited to join the brothers in losing weight by logging on to a website where people can share their stories.
Residents who are interested in making a donation are encouraged to send their contributions directly to a charity of their choice.
A meter at cutthewaist.ca says $383.86 has been pledged for every pound the pair loses through the weight-loss challenge.
