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Feature Stories (Vol. 110 No. 10--3/05/2008)

Solutions for Resolutions
New service makes learning about fitness
easy and available

By Stephanie Barnhart

For someone who started learning about fitness and nutrition as a hobby, Rebecca Foster has done a great job of turning her passion for wellness into a service.

Focused on helping people make healthy lifestyle changes, Foster has started a new business, Solutions for Resolutions, in the Berthold community. Each Monday evening at 7 pm, a class meets with Foster downtown. The group studies nutrition and fitness, and discusses ways to make changes in their daily routines to promote healthier living.

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, another small group meets in the community weight room at the Berthold High School where they practice exercise routines and learn more about proper weight lifting techniques.

"I see people get caught up in fads like the Atkins Diet," Foster said. The negative effects of such a diet are something Foster hopes to prevent. She expressed her desire to share her knowledge with anyone who may be battling a health problem, such as obesity or diabetes.

Also welcome at the sessions are those who simply want to learn more about their bodies and their health. Foster hopes to give people information to aid in the correction of any current bad health habits.

"It’s not that the information isn’t out there," she explained. "With the knowledge I have, I want to help people make lifestyle changes."

Foster felt that a service such as hers was something many people would use. With a name that illustrates its purpose, Solutions for Resolutions offers a convenient substitution to joining a program like Curves or Weight Watchers. Programs such as these can be located in Minot or another larger town, but Foster mentioned these programs may not be accessible to many small town residents, and that her group provides many of the same benefits.

At only five dollars per session, Foster’s teaching sessions have no limitations on who is invited.

Currently, the Monday night discussion topic is nutrition. However, Foster does intend to branch out to several specific areas of study concerning overall wellness, depending on the interests of the group.

Foster currently holds a degree in Occupational Therapy and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). In addition, she continues to learn about health, fitness, and nutrition by taking educational classes. She first became interested in these subjects at the university level, where she took several science courses including anatomy, physiology, and disease studies.

"[Wellness] has always been an area of interest for me," she said. "It’s something I’m passionate about!"

Despite having small children of her own, Foster remains flexible in terms of a schedule. "I would be open to other class times," she said. She also mentioned the possibility of traveling to other area towns if people in a community expressed an interest in such a service.

"If there is a desire in another town, I’d be glad to start a class there," said Foster. "I see people who could be healthier and people who could really enjoy exercise and proper nutrition."

Whether you are a fitness buff, or just need to find a solution for your lifestyle resolution, downtown Berthold on Monday evenings is the place for you. With help from a motivated and educated person willing to share her knowledge and passion for helping others become healthier, your solution may not be as difficult as you thought.

For more information on class schedules or group membership, contact Rebecca Foster at (701) 453-3471.