By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

RESERVE — If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, exercise more or develop healthier habits, a series of classes offered in St. John the Baptist Parish could help.

Getting Fit for Life classes — which will focus on nutrition, exercise and physical activities — start Tuesday at the Homer Joseph Community Center, located at 366 NW Second St. in Reserve, and run through the end of May.

Cynthia Clifton, LSU AgCenter nutrition agent, said the free series of classes is offered annually through the parish and is open to anyone who would like to attend, regardless of age or residency.

“A lot of people are having more diseases and sickness now and they don’t know how to eat healthy or better,” Clifton said, adding the classes are being offered just in time to assist people with their New Year’s health-related resolutions.

Clifton said participants can attend as many or few classes as they want, but all sessions will cover different yet complimentary topics.

According to the LSU AgCenter website, the classes focus on how to keep and improve your strength so you can stay healthy and have more energy to do the things you want to do.

Improving balance and health, reducing depression and preventing or delaying diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis are also being covered.

The series of classes include exercise sessions Jan. 15, 22 and 29 and Feb. 5, 12 and 26. March 10, 17 and 24, as well as April 7, 14 and 21 sessions will also be held. The program’s last month includes exercise sessions May 14, 21 and 28.

Clifton said exercise class participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.

The exercise sessions, as well as the series of classes, which are pictured, will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on respective days.

For more information, call 985-497-3261.