COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Calling attention to America's fastest growing epidemic, the nonprofit Lean For Life Foundation is sponsoring the inaugural Battle of the Badges, a weight loss competition pitting members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department against those from the Santa Ana Police Department. The participants will enter Lindora Medical Clinics' 10-week program that emphasizes an "eat better, move more and stress less" philosophy and combines diet, moderate exercise and motivational tools. To accommodate their demanding schedules, they may visit any of Lindora's 38 locations or the newly opened Lindora Health Clinics now open at select Rite Aid locations.
Battle of the Badges will kick-off with a weigh-in event on Wednesday, January 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lindora Health Clinic at Rite Aid (13151 Jamboree Rd., at Irvine Blvd.) in Tustin. During the brief ceremony, participants -- sworn members of the two law enforcement agencies -- will step on the scales for the first time. The two scales will be situated so that the officers will be facing off in the friendly competition.
The program is designed to help patients lose 10 percent of their body weight in the first 10 weeks. The winning team will be determined by how close they come to reaching or even exceeding their goal.
According to Lindora President Cynthia Stamper Graff, Battle of the Badges is intended to help members of the law enforcement community become "lean for life," and educate the public about the problems associated with being overweight so that they too might be encouraged to embrace healthy living.
"We hope that Battle of the Badges calls attention to the problems associated with being overweight, one of America's most daunting health crises," said Graff. "By putting their lives on the line for us everyday, these brave men and women already are our heroes. Now they will take on a new challenge -- becoming healthy heroes. By participating in Battle of the Badges, we hope that they will inspire the rest of the community - an estimated 66 percent of whom are overweight - to become lean for life thus reducing their chances of developing stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes."
Also on hand at the weigh-in ceremony will be El Pollo Loco president and CEO Steve Carley, who will be joined by Lindora diet expert Shelly Lummus. The pair will introduce offerings from El Pollo Loco's menu that have been approved by Lindora. El Pollo Loco is the only restaurant chain to offer Lindora Lean for Life Certified(r) menu items, including a hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup and a Skinless Breast Meal featuring a flame-grilled chicken breast served with garden salad and fresh steamed vegetables.
A final weigh-in ceremony will be held in April where weigh-in results will be tabulated and the team closest to meeting their target will be declared the winner.
Cited as an authority by "The Today Show," "Good Morning America" and CNN as well as a number of nationally respected newspapers and magazines, Lindora helps 4,000 patients each day. Lindora is a member of the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management, a coalition composed of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission, Center for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health. Lindora's state-of-the-art approach to bariatrics (weight control) consists of a two-phase cognitive, behavioral program. Phase one involves weight loss, where the patient's metabolism shifts into the fat-burning state through a combination of structured eating and exercise (vitamins, minerals and protein supplements are introduced to keep patients healthy while shedding pounds). During this stage, patients learn to optimize their caloric intake and eat properly. Phase two, the eight-week "Lifetime Solutions" plan, teaches them long-term weight-maintenance skills necessary for staying lean for life. Visit www.lindora.com for more info.
The Lean For Life Foundation was established by the founders of Lindora Medical Clinic, the Stamper family.