Vidant’s exercise physiologist Derrick Boyce excited the audience during the October Beau-Fitt health and wellness session with an inspirational message about staying motivated.

More than 50 people attended the session at Beaufort County Community College on Oct. 18. Boyce spoke about the keys to motivation, the passion to continue and gave door prizes to help people get started in their journey to good health.

Participants shared their goals and their reasons for getting fit. One Beau-Fitt participant lost 8 pounds last month as a result of tracking her steps with her free Garmin fit band provided by the program. A fit band and a gym membership, among other items, were given away at the session.

The next session will feature guest speaker and exercise instructor Bryanna Foote, a certified yoga instructor and health coach, on Nov. 22 in the Building 10 multipurpose room at 4 p.m. The free 45-minute yoga session will be followed by a walk on the fitness trail. The first 50 attendees will receive a free exercise item.

The Beau-Fitt program is an initiative to help improve health outcomes community-wide in Beaufort County. According to a 2014 community health assessment, Beaufort County has higher rates of mortality from lung and prostate cancer, stroke and heart disease than the North Carolina average. The free monthly health and wellness series is sponsored by BCCC, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, MDC and Washington Parks and Recreation Department. It includes free use of the 1-mile walking trail and four outdoor, exercise fitness stations on campus. The program hopes to excite community members about healthier eating and physical fitness.

For more information on how to join Beau-Fitt, contact Katrina Barrow at 252-940-6486.