The mayor of Valdobbiadene has made a decision: from now on his health will be a priority. And in his sports program he has company… hundreds of fellow citizens!

A fluffy cornet for breakfast, pasta for lunch and a delicious pizza for dinner: Italian cuisine has delicious dishes for every meal of the day. But anyone who falls for all these temptations can finally… step on it.

Luciano Fregonese has also found this out from his own experience. The mayor of Valdobbiadene in northern Italy he’s been in office for a decade – and in that time he’s gained 50kg.

In his attempt to lose weight he came up with a highly original idea. And by his side he has all the inhabitants of the village, who help him practically.

His demanding schedule does not allow the mayor to exercise, nor to eat regular meals and in normal quantities. He’ll usually have lunch just before midnight when he’s done with appointments and responsibilities – but when he does, he’s giving and understanding.

Walking with 200 residents

Fregonese now weighs 140kg – too much, as the 47-year-old tells dpa. That’s why he decided from the beginning of the summer to go out for a brisk walk. But he also wanted his company. And so, he invited the people of Valdobbiadene to walk with him. To date more than 200 residents have gone for a walk with him.

The now established walk takes place on Thursdays, with Fregonese and the residents usually meeting in the central square and starting their route in beautiful Valdobbiadene, passing through the area’s vineyards.

The idea came to the mayor shortly before his re-election in June. Fregonese was beginning to experience health problems due to his extra pounds – walking, for example, was becoming increasingly difficult because he was suffering from pain in his back and knees. As his friends jokingly told him, after the elections he should make it the first goal of his mayoralty to pay more attention to his health.

Fregonese never had time to play sports. One day his friends suggested that they go for a run together, but at that time the mayor had a meeting with the residents. And then a friend of his said to him: “Why not do both together? Tell the inhabitants to come together!’ And that’s how the whole idea was born.

At first he was accompanied by 45 residents, but from week to week they multiplied, even exceeding 200. “So many people come to support me, to give me motivation to continue, because I really would never have made it on my own.” At the same time, the mayor himself is a source of inspiration for the residents of the area, so that they too exercise more and make their health a priority.

The mayor’s great love for prosecco

Fregonese’s first concern isn’t necessarily to lose a lot of weight – that’s why he doesn’t weigh himself regularly. “I don’t know if I’ve lost weight, but I feel better – both mentally and physically. And that is the most important thing,” says the mayor. “It’s good for me to meet people outside.”

The “sporting” meetings with the residents are very much enjoyed by all. Often the people he meets while walking offer him a glass of wine, but Fregonese always politely declines. His weakness is another: prosecco. Moreover, “a glass of prosecco doesn’t have many calories,” jokes the mayor.

Edited by: Giorgos Passas