Considering the number of new members the Selma YMCA sees each January, there is little doubt exercising and losing weight remain among the most popular New Years resolution.

YMCA fitness director Kasey Burton said memberships can increase up to 100 more members every New Years. Lashenna Gaines, the welcome desk associate of YMCA of Selma-Dallas County, said about 20 people signed up for a YMCA membership following this New Year.

“Since the beginning of year, we’ve had a rise in new stick to there New Year’s resolution as far as wanting to lose weight and work off some of the holiday pounds,” Gaines said.

Gaines said getting in shape might be a popular resolution, because an individual’s physical appearance represents their health status.

“I guess looking at getting fit is almost like a new start,” she said. “Being fit represents being healthy.”

Gaines said the New Year also attracts members who they hadn’t been in a while.

Burton said the center doesn’t do anything special to prepare for the crowd, but the YMCA staff is advised the center could be a little hectic.

“The staff is alerted and know to be ready for a rush,” Burton said. “Our aerobics instructors tend to step up to revamp classes just a little for the new ones coming in and for some of our veterans as well, so they don’t do the same old routine.”

Burton said membership tends to decrease again in March, because of the change in weather.

“When it starts getting warm outside and people can start getting back outside, that’s when we see a decrease,” Burton said. “Then we see an increase again in the summer when kids are out of school and the teachers are out of school.”