New year, new goals: Hazard gym inspires fitness success

HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – With the start of a new year, gyms nationwide are filling up with people determined to achieve their New Year’s resolutions. At Ascend Strength and Fitness, owner Paul Hughes said January is one of the busiest months of the year.

“It does get busier,” Hughes explained. “We stay kind of busy, but there’s always an uptick in people that want to tackle those New Year’s resolutions. It’s really the busiest from around 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. when school gets out. So if new people want to sign up, trying to work around that schedule will help you out.”

Hughes said that most of these new gym-goers are focused on weight loss, though some are looking to build muscle. No matter the goal, the key to success is consistency.

“You’re going to have to tweak your diet, tweak your training, tweak your sleep to make everything happen for you,” Hughes said. “But it really just comes down to consistency. If you can stick to it, you’ll get there.”

For James Caudill, a local gym member, a New Year’s resolution made five years ago turned into a life-changing journey. What began as a small effort to work out gradually became a major transformation.

“I was really overweight and decided it was time to make a change,” Caudill said. “So I started working out slowly, and it’s progressed to today.”

Now, Caudill has lost 120 pounds and no longer needs medication for conditions like high blood pressure. The benefits have extended beyond his health and his transformation has inspired his family to prioritize fitness as well.

“My son started working out, my daughter’s starting to work out. It’s become a family affair,” Caudill said.

Looking back at old photos, Caudill said he feels proud of his progress.

“It makes me happy that I’ve been able to focus and do it and stay consistent,” he said. “I’m healthier for both myself and my family.”

Hughes and Caudill both stress that progress doesn’t happen overnight. Hughes warns against falling into the trap of fad diets and quick fixes, encouraging people to focus on the basics: tracking calories, getting enough protein, and prioritizing sleep.

“Your basics like keeping your calories where you need them to be, getting enough protein, and getting enough rest will get you where you want to be,” Hughes said.

For Caudill, the results were worth the effort.

“When you see the results from the work you’re putting in and you’ve committed to it, it proves you can do anything that you want to do,” Caudill said.

Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain strength, or simply live a healthier life, Hughes said the journey starts with a simple step: showing up. With the right mindset and a supportive community, you can make 2025 your healthiest year yet.

More information about Ascend Strength and Fitness can be found here.

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