The first session on nutrition held as part of the Eighth Annual Greater Fall River Fitness Challenge  brought over 25 people to the second floor classroom at 72 Bank Street for a half-hour discussion about nutrition and food choices led by Registered Dietitian Amanda Raposo and Psychologist David Weed. The free sessions are being offered each week after each Saturday Challenge as a way to assist people with issues of weight loss and personal health related to diet including a recommendation on food and advice on weight loss. Much of the funding for the program was provided by a Vela Foundation grant. Sponsored by Greater Fall River Re-creation, Partners for a Healthier Community, Saint Anne's Hospital, Southcoast Hospitals, the Fitness Challenge includes programs provided by All Generations Fitness, the Diabetes Association, Inc., Fitness Fusion, FitWorks, General Fitness. Greater Fall River Re-creation, Striking Beauties, TKO Fitness, Wiggle Kids, and the Fall River YMCA. The Challenge offers low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in the Greater Fall River Area. Registration is open through the end of January. Click here for an 27-minute video of the discussion. Click here for photos of the Challenge event held just prior to the session. For more information, go to www.FallRiverFitnessChallenge.com. or call Greater Fall River ReCreation at 508-679-0922 and ask for Annemarie Holly.

(Top row) Registered Dietitian Amanda Raposo welcomes about 25 Challenge participants to the second-floor classroom at the Bank Street Armory where the Nutrition Challenge sessions will take place until May. (Row two) Challenge participants describe some of the challenges they face with eating a healthy diet that also can please members of their family. (Row three) Participants describe some of their food choices while Amanda clarifies that carbohydrates are much more likely to lead to weight gain than fats in food. (Bottom row) Challenge participants Linda Mae and Lenny Pittsley look over some of the articles on food recommendations and advice on weight loss that were recommended by Ms. Raposo and Dr. Weed at the end of the session.