Boston Mayor Pledges To Lose 2 Lbs A Month; Councillors Up The Ante

The big news from Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino's 19th State of the City speech last night was about overhauling the city's school assignment system, but let's not neglect the health elements in his address. WBUR's Delores Handy covered the speech and reports on a "Biggest Loser" moment afterward.

In his speech, Mayor Menino noted that half of Bostonians are overweight, and said: "Look, weight is an issue that many of us struggle with. But what is daunting on our own becomes doable when we work together. So my goal is to see all of us combine to shed a million pounds this year."

Delores reports that after the speech, Menino pledged personally to lose at least two pounds a month for the next year.

City councillor Tito Jackson one-upped the mayor and pledged to lose three pounds a month.

Councillor Felix Arroyo raised the ante just a bit, saying he'd go to 3.2 pounds a month, and that he could use help with his weight loss efforts.

Gentlemen, start your engines....

See Delores Handy's excellent full report on the State of the City speech here.