It's the first week of the new year, which means that gyms are flooded with folks determined to keep their resolutions to lose weight and be healthier in 2012. Chicagoans burning up the treadmill to Fox News Chicago's morning edition got some advice that may have made them stop panting through the "uphill" setting and take notice: To lose weight, go vegetarian.

Dr. Terry Mason, chief medical officer of the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, asked Windy City residents to quit eating meat for a month and see how they feel. And by "meat" he means, "If it walks, hops, crawls, flies, slithers, has got eyes, a momma and a daddy, it's meat."

Dr. Mason has created the Restart4Health program, advising people on what he calls "TLC"—total lifestyle change. For people outside Chicago who are ready to start giving their bodies TLC in 2012, try the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's 21-Day Vegan Kickstart.

tripadvisor / CC

In 2008, we were wildly impressed with Chicago. The White Sox's U.S. Cingular Field was ranked number five on our Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks list for its vegetarian food selections. Now, Chicago's health commissioner, Dr. Terry Mason, has launched his "Re-Start" campaign, which asks Chicagoans to go vegetarian for January. This year, Mason has decided to go vegetarian permanently in order to lead the way for other Chicago residents to slim down their waists and lower their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Well Chicago, you've stepped it up a notch in 2009, and we're impressed!

We could probably all learn something from the Chicagoans (except for, you know, auctioning off senate seats and whatnot).

P.S.: Countdown to the White Sox home opener: 84 days and counting! Any guesses as to what they might add to their long list of vegetarian options?

Written by Liz Graffeo