WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – With a new year comes New Year’s resolutions and fitness goals seem to top most lists.

The YMCA’s North Wichita Branch welcomed several members on Wednesday eager to improve their overall health and raise the bar.

Melia Njoku-Lopez said she wanted to pick up running and plans to run her first 5k in February.

“This is my first 5K, I will be running every Friday until the 5k,” she said.

Easton Basquez said he wants to lift 225 pounds on the bench press by the end of the year.

“I’m going to hit something that has a lot of stability to it,” he said. “I will do some free weights later. Do some isolation moments for my shoulders and tricepts and eat right.”

Starting this year, the Y will offer cooking a series of hands-on cooking classes called “Cooking Matters.” The goal is to help families learn to shop for and cook healthy meals on a budget. The first class is on Jan. 21.

Chase Dempsey said it’s all about staying consistent.

“We come here, but we don’t always eat right,” he said. “So, trying to do that and incorporate everything together. “

To learn more about the YMCA’s Cooking Matters class, visit https://ymcawichita.org/programs/health-and-fitness/cooking

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