A mayor in northern Italy wants to lose 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds) by the next election. Will he keep his promise? Many people in his municipality have offered their support, and a growing number are even joining his fitness program
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00:00Luciano Fragonese has been mayor of Valdobbiadene for 10 years.
00:07During his time in office, the town has grown, and he says his belly has too.
00:12Five or six months ago, there was a barrage of negative comments on social media attacking
00:20my weight.
00:21I sought the help of the people around me.
00:26The message I wanted to send was, don't isolate yourself, seek help instead.
00:35The entire village answered his call.
00:38Today, almost 100 residents have shown up.
00:50The community walks 7 kilometers up and down the vineyards through the finest Italian landscape,
00:56a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a beautiful setting for the mayor's mobile office hours.
01:04The residents ask about road damage or the street lighting.
01:08Today, they're sure to have questions about our schools.
01:15Classes have just started up again.
01:21There's bound to be questions about school transport and the cafeteria.
01:27Every week, more people are following the example and fitness routine of their mayor
01:31by joining in the hike.
01:33It strengthens the sense of community.
01:35Plus, it's good for his health, the mayor says, and his voters are inspired.
01:43I'm here to support the mayor.
01:46It's very different from walking alone.
01:48Here you chat, enjoy the company, and don't even notice that you're hiking.
01:56That was a good climb.
01:57Quite strenuous.
01:58I just need to catch my breath now.
02:03After a short breather, they continue on.
02:11The Italian mayor made it an election promise.
02:14He weighs 150 kilos and wants to lose 50.
02:19Since we started two months ago, I've lost six and a half kilos.
02:23It's not much, but I don't want to overdo it.
02:38I've had a belly for years, and I like it.
02:42But at some point, I started having health problems.
02:45The doctor told me, if you don't change your lifestyle within a few months, you'll have
02:49serious problems.
02:53That's no easy feat in Valdobbiadene, the home of Prosecco.
02:58But for some months now, the mayor has kept to a strict diet.
03:02Passing his favorite pastry shop, though, is a challenge.
03:06It's not easy to resist the delicious pastries, handmade chocolates, cakes, and other Italian
03:12treats.
03:15Smells so good.
03:16I have to get out of here.
03:19Pasta, pizza, bread and desserts are off limits right now.
03:25No, pasta, it's so hard.
03:28I even dream about it at night.
03:31My absolute favorite dish is pasta carbonara.
03:37And I'm crazy about these pastries, too.
03:41Ever since he declared his mission to lose weight in June, his hikes have been celebrated
03:46by international media.
03:49Instead of being body shamed, he now receives fan mail.
03:52Dear Mr. Mayor, we are frequent visitors to your beautiful little town and now wish you
03:57every success in your weight loss journey.
04:00Years ago, my husband managed to reduce his weight from 130 to 85 kilos and has kept it
04:05off to this day through exercise and diet.
04:09Best regards, Ute Spies.
04:20It's already had an effect.
04:21I feel better, breathe better, I even feel lighter.
04:27The mayor is taking his journey step by step and has a whole term ahead of him to keep
04:32working towards his goal.