Cops square off at scales

Hold the doughnuts.

For the next 10 weeks, it’ll be coffee and protein bars for Santa Ana police officer Jessica Quintana.

She’ll be stepping on a scale five days a week at the Lindora Weight Loss Clinic, located on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa.

Quintana is one of 20 officers participating in a “Battle of the Badges” weight-loss contest between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Ana Police Department sponsored by Lindora.

The friendly competition kicked off with a preliminary weigh-in last week at the Lindora Health Clinic located on-site at the Rite Aid in Tustin.

Representing a partnership between the weight loss and pharmaceutical companies, Lindora opened its first Southern California on-site clinic at the Rite Aid on 17th Street in Costa Mesa in September.

Quintana has been on the police force for the past nine years and exercises regularly.

She just doesn’t eat properly, she said, and has a hard time planning out her meals for the day.

“I never realized how important it is to plan ahead. I work the swing shift, and I really don’t know how to eat correctly.”

Lindora’s weight-loss program, monitored by medical professionals, consists of a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, vitamin supplements and daily weigh-ins.

Lindora Health Foundation President Cynthia Stamper Graff, a native Costa Mesan, said the idea to sponsor a contest for members of the law enforcement community came when statistical evidence she ran across stated police officers are 25% more likely to die from weight-related heart disease than on the job.

“They are our heroes, and we want to have healthier heroes,” Graff said.

Quintana said her goal is to lose 20 pounds, and she feels good knowing she won’t be going through the program alone.

The friendly competition is a way to make dieting fun instead of boring, she said.

When boredom sets in, it’s easier for people to fall back into old patterns of eating.

“Having the support from fellow officers is motivation not to fail,” Quintana said, adding the officers are just like everyone else in the community — trying to learn to eat healthy.

Charts tracking the officers’ progress will be posted in each of Lindora’s locations throughout Southern California, or people can check Lindora’s website at www.lindorahealthclinic.com for daily updates.

Graff gives the officers credit for helping to increase public awareness by sharing weight-loss strategies and ways to live a healthier lifestyle.

“It takes a lot of courage to go public and be vulnerable,” she said.

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at sue.thoensen@latimes.com.