Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier and members of the Metropolitan Police Department will kick off Phase V of MPD’s ‘Biggest Loser’ Fitness Challenge on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The fitness challenge is part of the Department’s overall wellness program and is open to sworn and civilian employees. Members will compete on a four person team and encourage each other to achieve their weight loss goals. Phase V’s focus is prevention of diabetes and hypertension.

“Participating in this program has allowed some of our members to detect health issues that they were not aware that they had and to make necessary life style adjustments,” said Chief Lanier. “Our members have selected a profession that can be stressful. The goal is to improve the health of our members, so they make healthy choices that they can stick with for a lifetime.”

Since the program began in 2009, collectively MPD members have lost more than 1,500 pounds.

The MPD has partnered with Providence Hospital and numerous area businesses for the fitness challenge. Participants in the challenge can consult with fitness experts to develop individual workout plans. At the end of the eight week challenge, the teams will weigh in to find out who is the biggest loser.  Prizes will include memberships to area gyms and other health related items.

WHAT:           Phase V of the MPD Fitness Challenge

WHEN:           Tuesday, June 5, 2012

                        11:00 a.m.

WHERE:           MPD Headquarters (outside)

                        300 Indiana Avenue, NW

WHO:            Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier and MPD members. Special guests will include LaVar Arrington, NBC 4’s Doreen Gentzler, Jim Vance, and Dan Hellie, and Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa.