Success Stories

Joice's Success Story
Success at Curves of Los Gatos
by Joice Garrison

I DID IT!!! For the first time in my entire life I am not fat. It's official, as of August 14th, 2004, one year and fifteen days after I started working out at Curves of Los Gatos, my body fat percentage is within normal range. I also changed my eating habits and my lifestyle. I'm only 20 pounds from my goal weight. I've lost 89 pounds so far. I've gone from being a grossly obese size 22-24 to a size 11-12 and I'm on my way to a size 8. I can barely believe that as I write it. Even my glasses and shoes became too big for me.

For 50 years, I wished for some magical solution. It took serious health issues and several embarrassing moments (like having to get off a roller coaster at Great America because I was too fat for the safety bar to close) to finally motivate me to do something about my weight. First there was the high blood pressure, but my doctor gave me pills and that was controlled. Then came the diabetes, which I never did manage to get under control with pills. Then I had the epiphany that I would never succeed at treating symptoms – I had to correct the causes (those being a sedentary lifestyle and improper diet).

My daughter convinced me to join Curves of Los Gatos and I started working out on July 31st, 2003. On August 4th, 2003, I changed the way I was eating. The very next day, I had to cut back on my medications because my blood pressure was going too low. In a matter of months, with the supervision (and chagrin) of my doctor, I was off all my medications and all my blood work was (and continues to be) normal.

All my hard work has paid off. It is hard work and it takes time and effort. It's about eating moderate amounts of the right foods in the right combinations. It's about intentional exercise. I workout. I walk. I make exercise as much a part of my daily routine as brushing my teeth. I no linger think like a fat person. I can now ride any ride at an amusement park. I even recently rode the Extreme Skyflyer! I look good, I feel great. I am a whole new person and it all started with my first workout at Curves of Los Gatos. The encouragement and support I have received here is an integral part of my success.