From Beaufort County Community College

Let Beau-fitt help you walk off those holiday pounds at an event scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 19 in room 102A of Building 4 on the BCCC campus.

The first Beau-fitt event for 2016 will feature Derrick Boyce, exercise specialist, with Vidant Wellness Center, who returns to the BCCC campus to get everyone motivated for the new year. He will discuss ways to exercise on a budget.

A one-year membership to the Wellness Center at Vidant Beaufort Hospital will be given away at this event.

Individuals from the community are welcome to join Beau-fitt at any time, according to Julie R. Crippen, grant writer and coordinator of special projects at BCCC.

After the meeting, participants will have the chance to use the 1-mile IM-FITT walking trail and exercise stations on the BCCC campus.

The walking trail and exercise stations feature new equipment that is free to anyone in the community. The exercise stations can be used by anyone 14 years old and older.

“The trail and stations are an excellent resource for people on any budget to improve their health and fitness and I hope everyone in the community will use the new year as an excuse to visit the BCCC campus to see what the trail and exercise stations can offer,” she said.

Beau-fitt is a healthy eating and exercise initiative sponsored by BCCC and Vidant Beaufort Hospital. Its focus is to promote healthy eating throughout the community with monthly guest speakers, along with exercise options.

Groups who have a Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band can join the online Beau-fitt Garmin Site and compete against other teams for prizes and bragging rights, she said.

And anyone who has a Garmin can be a part of Beau-fitt online at www.garminconnect.com by clicking on the Beau-fitt social group, Crippen said.

The IM-FITT walking trail and exercise stations were funded by grants from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust’s Healthy Places N.C. initiative and MDC, a Durham-based nonprofit.

For more information about Beau-fitt or to sign up to be a part of the Beau-fitt online community, visit www.beaufortccc.edu/imfitt/beaufitt or www.beaufortccc.edu/imfitt/index.html. Those interested can also contact Crippen at 252-940-6271 or by email at julia.crippen@beaufortccc.edu.