Four Northwest suburban police departments compete to lose weight

Cops in four Northwest suburbs will be battling it out to see who loses the most weight over the next two months.

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, a health supplement store in Arlington Heights, is sponsoring the weight-loss competition among those who serve and protect in Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Buffalo Grove and Wheeling.

From rank-and-file patrol beat cops to detectives, crime prevention officers to commanders, about 60 officers have signed up for the contest, which began Sunday and runs through March 15.

Officers did an initial weigh-in this week and will track their progress weekly. Winners will be awarded for individual weight loss and overall weight loss by department. The winning department will get to donate the prize money to a chosen charity.

"A lot of the officers are excited because it gives them motivation to get healthy and get fit," said Paul Dappert, owner of Max Muscle. "Officers' schedules change. They don't always have the best eating habits and they eat on the go. We're helping them make some healthier choices."

Additional awards will be given for the biggest gainer of muscle - measured by a special composition machine - and the winner of a "strong man" weight lifting competition held at the final weigh-in, Dappert said.