About 80 per cent of the Dubbo population is classified as either overweight or obese.To help combat the issue, Cr Shields is encouraging everyone to join him in the Downsizing Dubbo challenge.

For eight weeks, Anytime Fitness Dubbo is giving free access to its gyms, while superfastdiet.com will provide a healthy eating plan.

"It's odd for a mayor to be talking about making Dubbo smaller but in this case it's highly appropriate," Cr Shields said.

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The mayor said he was shocked to learn about the high percentage of Dubbo that was overweight. After considering his own health, he decided to join the campaign.

"It's something we have to do. We're turning into an obese nation," Cr Shields said.

While the campaign runs for eight weeks, the mayor wants to make a life-long lifestyle change. He admits in the beginning it's going to be "terrible" and that the first few weeks will be the hardest.

But, Cr Shields said he wants to feel better within himself.

Not only will exercising make the participants healthier, the mayor said it would improve productivity, make people work harder and will also boost mental health.

He's encouraging anyone who's interested to join him in the Downsizing Dubbo challenge.

"It might just be the spark that changes their lifestyle for the better," Cr Shields said.

The community challenge was established by superfastdiet.com.

Co-founder Victoria Black said it would begin at the start of September and run until October.

"We think eight weeks is ideal - long enough to get a visible result and not too long so challengers can stay focused," she said.

"We have decided to open this offer up to the entire town completely free of charge and we are so excited to see how this will change their lives after their transformations."

Participants in the challenge will receive a weight loss program and online coaching through a private Facebook group. There will also be free access to Anytime Fitness and an online exercise program to do at home.

To register your interest for the challenge go online to downsizingdubbo.com.