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Get up and Slim DownMonday, January 16, 2012, 1:14 PMAndrea BoyarskyByStaten Islanders looking to get healthy in the new year now have a boroughs worthof support at their fingertips. The second Staten Island Slim Down starts thisweekend, offering free help to residents looking to lose weight and avoid theailments associated with being overweight or obese.The kickoff will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC inSea View. The day will include information on the 10-week program, healthscreenings and an appearance by Alfredo (Frado) Dinten of Todt Hill, a formercontestant on NBCs The Biggest Loser and a Slim Down ambassador.There were numerous changes in the contestants from last year, said Dr. MaureenBecker, co-founder of the event along with Tony Books Avilez. There were peoplewho got off their blood pressure medication or diabetes medication, people wholost anywhere from two to 10 inches on their waistline.View full sizeStaten IslandAdvance/ HiltonFloresThe second Staten IslandSlim Down kicks off thisSunday and will featureweekly exercise sessionsover the course of the free10- week program.The Slim Down includes weekly exercise sessions at both the College of Staten Island and JCC, online coaching,walking groups at the Staten Island Mall, a guided shopping tour at Stop & Shop to learn about healthier foodchoices and nutrition workshops at ShopRite.10 POUNDS OR 100The founders explained that the event is for those ages 18 and up looking toimprove their life, whether they have 10 pounds to lose or 100. Last year, about430 Islanders competed in the inaugural event, which offered a $2,000 grandprize, and more than 700 additional people participated.In the above left photo,Elaine Gil of BubblesPlayhouse in Grasmere,directs last year's StatenIsland Slim Downparticipants in a Zumbalesson.The winner was Terrance (Terry) Toner of Bulls Head, who lost 50 pounds overthe 10 weeks. Although it wasnt necessarily the most pounds shed, the judgesdeemed that Toner exhibited the greatest overall transformation.We never emphasized getting on the scale and how many pounds were lost, saidPage 118 of 161