Two bikini-clad activists with the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals stole the spotlight from Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at his weekly weigh-in after presenting him with a basket of vegan food.

Ford and his brother Coun. Doug Ford began the 'Cut the Waist' challenge in January, hoping to each lose 50 pounds by June.

The two PETA activists, wearing only lettuce bikinis, offered Ford a basket of vegan food on Monday, saying a meatless diet would help Ford lose more weight.

Ford's staff accepted the basket, despite the mayor saying he was not interested in trying the vegan diet. Ford didn't speak to the two women.

At Monday's weigh-in the mayor weighed 312 pounds, up one pound from his last weigh-in two weeks ago.

"It's a challenge," he said, shaking his head. "Trying to get out at night and running, it's a challenge."

Ford did not answer questions about a column penned over the weekend by his former press secretary Adrienne Batra in which she criticized the mayor for not being more visible on council. He did, however, speak about Toronto police officer Jeff Blair, who was badly hurt after being stabbed in the neck late Sunday.

"It's very unfortunate. That's why I protect our police. I support them 100 per cent because they have a very, very dangerous job," he said.

At the start of the challenge the mayor weighed 330 pounds. His brother weighed 275.