This week in Fat City:

        Nurse Mary Youtsey reports border collies are good for your waistline.

        Bus driver Tanya Chinn says there's something to be said for lounging in the sun.

        And teacher Jerome Manigan says he's happy with his progress, despite the ups and downs of the scale.

        Mrs. Youtsey was happy to report losing another 1.5 pounds last week. “The warm weather has really energized me. I'm basically doing something every day,” she says.

UPDATE

Youtsey     Mary Youtsey, 39, of Southgate     Starting weight: 190 as of Dec. 30    Weight lost: 22 pounds since Jan. 2. She's working out on a treadmill and a stair machine and lifting weights. Chinn     Tanya Chinn, 47, Springfield Township     Starting weight: 210 pounds as of Jan. 4.     Weight lost: 21 pounds. Manigan     Jerome Manigan, 53, Avondale     Starting weight: 269 pounds (as of Dec. 30).     Weight lost: 15 pounds.

        She especially enjoys long walks with the family's border collie, Sam. Mrs. Youtsey calls Sam her “walking buddy.”

        “As long as I give her a treat at the end of it, she's fine,” she says.

        In January, she and her husband will be taking a cruise — further incentive to stick to her diet and exercise plan, she says.

        Ms. Chinn turned down overtime Friday to sunbathe in her yard and enjoy the gorgeous spring weather.

        She continues to follow the menu plans and to exercise “the same as usual: not enough.”

        Mr. Manigan gained a little more than 3 pounds two weeks ago, and wants to see those pounds, and more, disappear. Last week, his weight dropped one pound.

        “I'm happy with the progress I'm making,” he says, adding that even if the scale doesn't reflect it, his clothes continue to get looser. “I'm especially happy that the stomach is not as pregnant as it used to be.”
       

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