Success Stories

Mary's Success Story
"Curves Helped Save My Life!"

I joined a local Curves on the very first day they opened. I was 3 months post gastric bypass and had lost 64 pounds, but I couldn't find an exercise program I could stick with. I knew if I didn't start working out, I would stop losing, and get weak from lack of muscle tone. I never really liked to exercise, and have never followed a regular exercise program.

When I initially joined Curves, I was morbidly obese with a top weight of 330 pounds. I could barely get around. My knees were shot, my ankles were chronically swollen, and my asthma was bad. Now I don't have swelling, my knees are better, and I only use 1 inhaler instead of 3.

I am now permanently on a high protein diet due to my surgery. If I eat carbohydrates, there is no room for protein and I become malnourished. I still eat the same type of things as I did when I started here, but now I can eat a greater quantity. One thing I have learned is the importance of water. I was never one to drink a lot of water, and now I drink it all the time.

Before Curves I was not one to exercise. To be honest I hated it and never did it. I could never imagine myself working out on a regular basis. Now after a year here at Curves, coming 3 days a week, my whole way of looking at exercise has changed. I am completely committed to the program. I am now more aware of the different muscle groups and how they work. I have also learned that it is okay to stretch after exercise. I take great pride in the level of fitness I have achieved by working out at Curves. It might be going too far to say that I love exercise, but I do love Curves. Now I work out 3 times a week whether I feel like it or not. It's like my car just drives me here even when I don't want to come. Being a nurse, I have always had an excellent understanding of how the human body functions. But now I am more aware of my own body, and the changes brought on through exercise.

I love the way Curves works. I love the structure, the variety, and the opportunity to workout at my own pace. I like being able to increase the challenge without changing the routine. And I love the fact that I am actually doing it! That truly is the most amazing and awesome part of all!

I have to say the staff and owners of Curves have been beyond fantastic. Right from the beginning I was made to feel welcome and a part of the "Curves Family". I was still very heavy when I started here but never felt self-conscious at all. That has been a key factor for me, that Curves welcomes women of all shapes, sizes, and ages.

Curves has helped change my life. There are so many things I can do now that I could never do before. I can now jump up and down on the exercise pads. I can go on 6-mile hikes in the mountains. I can even go to the Gap and buy clothes. These are all things I could not have done a year ago.

I have told many people about Curves, including local friends and Internet chums I have made through the weight loss surgery support groups. Curves has really changed my life in a fundamental way. It changed me from an unfit, sedentary person to someone who is now, at age 44, in the best shape of her life. I owe thanks to those who first told me about Curves, and I plan to keep spreading the word. Curves is the answer for me. It's easy, it's fast, and it's fun. If I can do it, truly anybody can.

Total loss: 43 inches, 59.5 pounds