The Fourth Annual Fall River Fitness Challenge kicked-off at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium on Bank Street with over 550 people attending and 330 weighing-in for the four-month series. Sponsored by the Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI),  Community Development Recreation (CD-REC), the Fall River YMCA, General Fitness and Healthy City Fall River, and supported by grants from the United Way of Greater Fall River and Partners for a Healthier Community, the Challenge offers low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in Fall River to get fit, lose weight, have fun and win prizes. "This event has been growing every year," stated Personal Trainer Amy Jones who worked with a team of over twenty-five people to put the event on. "I think it's in response to people's success and the sense of personal support they get through the process. Fitness, weight loss, or reaching any health-related goal requires a support system. People tell me all the time that they couldn't do it alone." Registration is open through the end of the month, and many people will register and weigh-in at their workplace in the coming weeks. Click here for the video of the event. Click here for the Herald News article. Click here for photos of last year's event. Call CD-REC at 508-679-0922 for more information or go to www.FallRiverFitnessChallenge.com..

(Top row, left) Donna Cummings walks by Chef Bill Walker at the front of the line of over 500 people who entered the gymnasium when the doors opened at 10:00 a.m. (Top row, center) Erin and Germaine Brooks talk with Fall River YMCA Executive Director Frank Duffy about what they will be offering to Challenge participants. (Top row, right) Stephanie and Christopher Costa talk with Beth Ayer about registering on www.MyFallRiver.org to record their progress. (Second row, left) Kelly Neto has her cholesterol and glucose levels checked by Theresa Gomes of Southcoast Hospitals. (Second row, right) Diman Regional School of Practical Nursing student Nicole Perrault checks a participant's blood pressure. (Third row) Zumba instructor Tabitha Gendreau, left, Greg Medeiros, center, and Marcee Therrien, right, lead Zumba, kickboxing and spinning demonstrations in the center of the gym. (Bottom row, left) Nancy Botelho is weighed by with Derek Ross at the end of the process. (Bottom row, center) WSAR Radio talk show hosts Nancy Duncan and Hector Gauthier interview Durfee High School Chef Bill Walker and University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program project director Pat Bebo about their new "Look Who's Cooking" cable television show on Channel 17. (Bottom row, right) Kathy and Jay Kruger and Brendan Donovan of NBC Television's Biggest Loser television program talk to participants about their experiences in losing weight in a different environment.