Mine is the typical life long weight loss story; gain, lose, gain, lose. I tried most every diet and or fad diet of the year, still looking for the miracle answer or pill or fast fix. What I never did was exercise. I walked occasionally, but that was it. Well, in 2007 a friend at work who was about my same size lost 50 pounds going to Curves and following the Curves diet. I thought “wow, if she could do it I can too!” I joined at the end of September 2007 with another friend from work. I wasn’t very committed until November 2008. At that time, my Curves trainer talked me into a power workout. That was the best thing ever! I realized I hadn’t been giving it my all. I started losing inches and weight by using portion control, that way I can eat almost anything I want, within reason. The Curves staff is very helpful and encouraging. Each coach gave me very good tips. I am still working toward my goal weight. I’m still very happy. I finally realize you have to exercise along with diet and it’s a life long plan. I also try to take a long walk each day. Thank you Murray Curves coaches! I now have a great start; I know I can keep going; slow but sure as it should be. I finally feel good about myself. Thank you Curves!

Susie is a long time member of our Murray Curves. She recently earned her 700 workout shirt! When she first joined Curves, she had been retired for almost a year and was having a lot of pain and problems with her right hip. The doctor told her to either build some muscle around that hip joint or the next stop would be surgery. Susie says "I was in such a bad way, that I could hardly get up and down the stairs. It has been a real eye opener for me. I also have become an exercise and protein junky. I either drink protein shakes or eat a lot more protein than before. When I go out to dinner, I always make sure I eat all of my meat before anything else on my plate. Protein has helped me lose the desire for more fattening foods. When I went in for my physical in September 2008, my bad cholesterol had decreased from 126 to 77. My good cholesterol had gone up from 63 to 102. I also had a bone density test that showed improvement in my hip area since my last test. My hip has never felt better and I have become a total Curvesaholic. This is true wherever my husband and I travel. I also have quit smoking for over two and a half years. I think Curves has a lot to do with that decision too. It taught me that it was time to take care of myself and my health, because I wanted to be around for my grandchildren's graduations from high school and college."

Chris V. is an employee at our Murray Curves. She will be getting her 500 workout shirt this month! She can't remember a time she didn't struggle with her weight. As a perpetual yo-yo dieter, she says previous weight loss attempts were frustrating and unhealthy. She had attempted to drop a few pounds in time for a cruise, to look better for her husband or to appease her doctor. The difference when she joined Curves, she said, is that she decided "this time I'm doing it for myself!" When Chris first heard about Curves she was intrigued. She wanted to try it, but was worried, due to a heart surgery and difficulty with her knees, that she wouldn't be able to do it. Finally, with her doctor's go ahead, she got started at Curves in Murray. She started up slow but found she was able to push herself harder and remain safe and healthy. Chris says when she came to Curves she felt supported; "We were all in the same boat," she jokes. That support inspired her to get focused on reaching her goals. In August of 2006, she "got serious" and one year later she was 40 pounds and 41 inches lighter! She looks and, more importantly, feels great! Chris says people in her life are amazed at the results she's achieved without surgery. Her physical health has improved dramatically. Chris says she has stronger knees and ahs been able to avoid a scope. In addition, she has strengthened her upper body and no longer has problems with her neck and shoulders. She gets compliments all the time on the way she looks and has the energy for the activities she loves, including her bowling league, walks for charity, and keep up with her darling grandson. Chris' advice to other members would be to "weigh and measure every month!" This is the best way to stay on top of it and reach your goal.