Before a slimmer "Dancing Kevin" returned to Nationwide Arena on Monday night for the Blue Jackets' game against the New York Rangers, his friend Clair Crawford sat with him on the floor of his Clintonville apartment and drew slogans on his once-expansive belly.

Before a slimmer "Dancing Kevin" returned to Nationwide Arena on Monday night for the Blue Jackets' game against the New York Rangers, his friend Clair Crawford sat with him on the floor of his Clintonville apartment and drew slogans on his once-expansive belly.

"It's definitely smaller," she said. "We just don't have as much room."

>> Video: "Dancing Kevin" returns

Kevin Schroeder, with his large tummy and back embellished with Blue Jackets slogans, has been entertaining the crowd during TV timeouts for years. But beginning in January, the Jackets' self-proclaimed biggest fan began a diet and workout regimen to lose some of his 358-pound frame.

After daily workouts and frequent boot-camp sessions with Life Time Fitness trainer Jack Skaggs, Schroeder has lost 62 pounds.

Schroeder said he has no "ideal" weight to achieve, but he did joke about having to buy new pants.

Crawford, who sat next to him at the game, said she thought he is much more agile.

"He had moves I haven't seen before," she said.