 Question: This is my first time at The Slim Down. What should I expect? Answer: The Staten Island Slim Down is a FREE annual community initiative encouraging Staten Islanders to embrace healthy lifestyle practices such as exercise and healthy eating. In order to facilitate this we include: - Weekly fitness surprise classes (come and find out what type of exercise you will do that day) - A contest for the Most Insprirational Transformation with a cash prize - Free Meal Plans - Free online education and motivation presentations - Free exercise and nutrition coaching delivered on demand via the Staten Island Slim Down web site Question: What is the Kick Off? Do I have to attend? Answer: The Kick Off marks the official launch of the program. There will not be an exercise class that day. There will be: - Fitness & Health assessments (optional and voluntary) - Guest speakers - Explanation of what the program is all about - Opportunities for special offers from our sponsors Question: I signed up as a participant however very confused about what to do fist and how to start. I think, I missed Fitness & Health assessments... So, how do I get the cessions that work for me? Answer: 1st: Make sure you received the access codes to web site. once you have them go to the "Free Coaching" button and when prompted enter the pass codes. You will be available to view the entire FREE coaching area, but I recommend you go to the "Nutrition" area first and then visit "week 1" 2nd: Visit the "events" section and decide which events you would like to attend. The fitness surprises are just that: Surprises. You will not know what type of exercises you will be doing in advance. Come with an open mind ready to have fun. It is not required to attend any events, but history shows the more events you attend the more you will get from the program. Question: I am not sure of where I should go for the events. What should I do? Answer: All of the events are listed on the events page of this site. To access events page click here: Events Question: I was there for the kick off and left feeling mentally focused, motivated etc. until trying to log on to the website these last three days. I keep trying to "Get Coached" and this is the message I keep seeing. "A username and password are being requested by the site says: "Secure Area" I can't get passed this message and I really wanted to use the tools to keep me motivated. Can you tell me what I have to do? I was psyched on Sunday but am a bit disappointed that I can't get to the resources that the Slimdown Contest offers. Should I resend my pic and re enter? I had intentions of going all the way, I even had my husband join with me. Please let me know I want to feel like a part of this. Answer: The access codes were sent to you. I recommend you check your spam filter if you have not received them yet. Very often email filters (especially AOL) will place them there. The system is automated and sends an email with the codes each and every time. AOL is probably blocking you from receiving the email. I also recommend that you go through the process of “White listing” the email Tony@StatenIslandSlimDown.com . Viewing this video may assist you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70k-3JCZyHs Question: In my office we are very excited about the contest. We were discussing how you calculate the weight loss. Is it based on body fat or % of weight? For example a 300 lb man will probably lose more than a 150 woman. How do you compensate for that? Answer: Although weight loss is inevitable in the participation of the Staten Island Slim Down it is not the only criteria. The most important aspects determining your success in the competition will be your before and after pictures. We are in search of "The Most Inspiring Transformation". We are looking for a significant physical change and a story on how it changed your life. As a result, the person who loses the most weight may not win. Question: I just wanted to confirm that the before picture is due by Sunday? Also, this may be a funny question, but should the before picture be one where your stomach, etc. should be revealed, or is fully clothed acceptable also. I want to ensure that the transformation is definitely observed, and not hidden by clothing. Or I could submit both and you choose which to use? What do you think? Thanks !! Answer: The easiest thing to do is look at the contest pictures and follow the lead of the pictures that were previously submitted. How much of yourself you reveal is going to be up to you to decide, but keep in mind that the judges have to be able to see your physical changes to determine your eligibility for placement in the contest. Because of the volume of pictures submitted it is recommended to send only one picture. Question: I recently registered for the contest you are sponsoring and I’m very anxious and excited to begin transforming my life, however, I will be on vacation Jan 29th returning on Jan 31st. I went to my doctor’s office today and had him weigh me, take my blood pressure, and recorded my height officially on his letterhead. Is this suitable to still be a part of this contest? I can send you a picture before and after. Please let me know if I still qualify. Answer: Yes you still qualify. The contest is based on transforming your body and your life so weight loss is not the only thing being taken into account. For this reason we are using before and after pictures as well as a short account (one to two brief paragraphs) describing how competing in the contest changed your life. Question: I would like to join the Staten Island Slim Down program. I went on the site and I noticed that most of the "events" are held on particular nights of the week. Is this the only night that these events are being held, or will there be other days during the week that people can participate? I need to know before I sign up. Answer: All the events are as scheduled. Participating is not necessary (although recommended). However, the actual program can be completed on your own at home or in the gym. The events are not mandatory but set up to help provide on-going support. Question: I just registered as a contestant on the Staten Island Slim Down. My questions is do I have to submit my before photos now and where do I submit it to or can I bring it to the official weigh in. Answer: You will be sent the email address to send your pictures to. We will be accepting them during the week after the kick off (Check events page for date: Events.) In the picture you must be holding a recent copy of the Staten Island Advance in order to confirm the pictures date. Question: I want to be a contestant, but I would like to know how it works. I am 23 years old and I am determined to do this to help my modeling career. Do I do it on my own? Do I get weighed in? Do I meet with a trainer? Just want a little more detailed info before signing up thanks!! Answer: Because this contest is based on transformation and not solely on "Weight Loss" there is no official weigh in. You will not be meeting with a trainer for one on one sessions although you are welcome to participate in the free fitness classes we are holding during the 10 weeks. Question: How do I get my before and after picture to you for the contest? Answer: When you signed up as a contestant you should have been taken directly to the page for you to upload your picture to our system. If you have not done so your can Question: Is there a place I can come to in order to sign up in person? Answer: No unfortunately not. All other registrations must be completed online on the Staten Island Slim Down website. Question: I heard about the slim down and saw the website. I saw all the pictures and people's names from previous years, will people necessarily see my name in the future years? I have a certain profession, and I would not like my clients to search my name and see pictures of me. Is there a way we could manage this? Answer: Individuals who compete in the contest dispense the right to use their name and image as a means to promote, market and advertise the program without present or future compensation. It sounds to me like this will not work for you. Feel free to enter the program as a participant. As a participant you will be able to reap the full benefit of the program without being public or competing for cash prizes. Question: I am 69 years old.... have never done "Slim Down".. and do not belong to a gym. What is required in order to be a "participant"? Do I need a doctor's note to participate? What do I have to bring? Do I need a mat? I am just an ordinary person... Is the "Slimdown" program extremely strenuous? or can anyone be a part of this program? Is there an age limit? Answer: Thanks for reaching out. There is no age limit. The most mature person we have had to the program so far is 83 years young. It is not necessary that you belong to a gym. You required to fill out a Participant Agreement/Waiver to participate and it is recommended that you consult your medical professional before you start any exercise or nutrition program. We simply require that you bring a mat and all exercises will be modified to accommodate all fitness levels. Question: I joined the facebook page. Am I officially registered? Answer: No. You have to register as either a contestant, participant or group participant directly on the Staten Island Slim Down web site. Question: Can I register a friend or family member? Answer: Unfortunately not. In order for the entrance agreement to be official it must completed personally by the individual entering. Question: Can I bring a child to the fitness events? Answer: Yes you may. We ask that you be totally responsible for you child's behavior and well-being. Question: What does a person's "transformation" include besides weight loss? Answer: The best way to answer that would be to consider whether the appearance of one's fitness level has changed. Losing weight is a major part of transformation, but it is only one aspect to consider. The other aspect is to recognize whether the person has gained more muscle tone indicating that their weight loss has come primarily from body fat and not from the loss of metabolically active, lean muscle tissue. The best way to evaluate this is based on a body fat test as well as creating a contrast from the way the person looked before they took on the transformation process and the results of the transformation process as indicated by the "after" picture. Question: I remember you saying that we had to submit a written paper at the end of the ten week program along with our "after" photo. How long should this paper be and what should the contents include? Answer: We are basically looking for no more than two quick paragraphs describing your experience during the slimmed-down and how it changed your life. This will be utilized in order to evaluate who has really had the most inspiring transformation. Question: I am interested in being a contestant in the Slim Down. I will be away until Jan 20th & saw in the FAQ that I can still be a contestant which I am excited about. I was wondering though how I would submit the information & it wasn't fully clear if you did need an official start weight. Also, I noticed in all of the winners pictures that they are showing their stomach & I was wondering if that is mandatory? Answer: The Slim Down is not a weight loss contest. The winner is determined by evident physical change as depicted by before and after pictures. As the pictures are used as the means to evaluate the changes the more visible the change is by the picture the better the contestant can be evaluated. How much of yourself you reveal is up to you. Once you register there are samples of good before and after photos. Question: I am considering being a contestant in the Staten Island Slim Down. What is the time commitment for this? I work in the city and go to school so my week daytime is limited. Answer: Thanks for reaching out. This is a go at your own pace process. Since the program is given to you as a customizable outline you can tailor it to your schedule. Question: I understand that I need to hold a receent newspaper in my picture. Can I hold a copy of another newspaper other than the Staten Island Advance. Answer: Unfortunately not. As this contest is a means of supporting the Staten Island community it is important to the organizers that we support our local paper. Sorry, we can only accept photos with the Staten Island Advance. Question: I really want to participate and my six year old son is also overweight. Am I allowed to sign him up? Answer: Thanks for reaching out. At this juncture we do not have any provisions for young children to participate. However, keep in mind that he will follow your lead. I hope that you will join us. Question: I am having trouble watching the video on my IPad. What should I do? Answer: The online videos are in Flash format. Unfortunately, at this time the IPad does not support Flash. You will be able to watch them on your home personal computer. Question: I was looking through the meal plans, and would it be possible to make suggestions for vegetarians (of which I am one) who don't eat meat, fish, or chicken? Answer: Take a look at the report on Nutrition Lesson number 1. It mentions vegetarian options. Question: I have my user name and password, I having trouble logging onto the site. Answer: Go to "freecoaching". Read the disclaimer. Click on the "Get Coached" button. Enter your code. Question: Is it better to go to the gym early in the morning or after work? Answer: It all depends on what works for you. Statistics show that people who go in the morning usually have greater compliance. Ultimately you have to choose what is best for your schedule and bio-rhythms. Question: If you register as a contestant does the Advance publish your before pics or is that only if you become a finalist or winner? Answer: If you sign up as a contestant you are authorizing that your picture can be published in any form deemed appropriate. So if you are shy this may not be a good choice for you. Question: Is it possible to register as a contestant and as a group? Some of us want to compete;others do not. All agree they want to do it as a group. Answer: You can follow the program as a group. That is recommended. However, if you want to compete as a group then everyone has to go through the contestant process. Question: When is the registration deadline for contestants? Am I correct that if they are only participating they can join anytime? Answer: The deadline for contestant registration is listed on the website (StatenIslandSlimDown.com) under “Events” Participants can join at anytime. Questions: I would like to register for slim down program...I actually did, but I'm not getting email confirmation with sign in instructions. Answer: I suggest that you check your spam folder because at times email filters place your mail there. Question: I have signed up to be a participant in the si slim down but im not sure if my picture up loaded how can i be sure? Answer: You only need to upload a photo if you have signed up as a contestant. If you are choosing to be a contestant please make sure that is the category you signed up under. Question: Will I receive personal training as part of the program? Answer: Personal training is not part of the program. However, you will have access to all the fitness events , conference calls, the online program & the online library. Question: Is there any childcare provided? Answer: Unfortunately, there is no childcare provided although we do encourage families to participate together. Question: Can I bring a friend? Answer: Yes you can bring a friend as long as that person registers as well. |
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Tony Books Avilez
Tony Books Avilez has been a fitness pro since 1995 and is the owner and operator of Staten Island Boot Camp and Personal Training.
