Like so many women weight has always been an issue for me.  And like so many others, lack of exercise or rather lack of motivation has been a big factor.  I've belonged to Curves off and on for the past six or seven years.  Starting in Walnut Creek and then transferring up to North Natomas.  I rejoined about 2 years ago, but my screwy job schedule kept me from being consistent.

Right before I retired in April of 2007 I had a blood pressure test and it was way higher than it had ever been.  I promised a friend and myself that I could get it down to normal with diet and exercise.  I didn't want to start taking medication.  So, on my 62nd birthday I took myself into Curves and started my "new" life.

Committing myself to 3 days a week, I slowly began the path.  Since last spring I've managed to get my blood pressure back down to normal.  While working my way down the path I've also managed to lose 40+ pounds and over 30 inches.  I've also brought my BMI down 20%.  Hmmm, no wonder my old clothes don't fit anymore.  I've gone from a size 2x to 14/16's.  I told Corrie the other day, even my car fits better.

When the gym moved to its present location and we started the new program, I was one of the first to sign up.  Its fun competing with myself and working to stay in the "green".  I've noticed my muscle tone is getting so much better and my strength has hit a new high.

Am I committed to Curves, oh ya that's a definite YES.  I feel younger, healthier and more positive than I have in years and I intend to stay that way.  Its not just the machines and exercise that make Curves such a great place.  Its the support of the staff and fellow members.  Good friends that I enjoy starting my day with.  A great positive experience that I can truly say saved my health and maybe my life.

Penny Tess, Member of North Natomas Curves  

I love Curves.  No doubt about it.  And I love what Curves has done for me.

I joined Curves about two years ago.  As a fairly inactive sixty-year-old, I found myself lacking strength, so I joined Curves to become stronger. That decision has changed my life dramatically.  I was also overweight with years-long, high blood pressure.

My strength, stamina, and energy level have soared as I persisted with the workouts three times a week.  And that load-bearing exercise has also been good for my bone density, my blood pressure, and my weight.  I now have a much more positive attitude, a better self-concept, and increased self-confidence.

I have averaged a Curves workout three times each and every week.  My weight has gone from 150 to 105, my blouse/shirt size from an extra large to a small, my jeans size from an 18W or 20W to a 6 Petite.  My blood pressure has decreased 37 points to a normal range.  My overall health and well-being is tremendously better.  It is really awesome to be over 60 and able to wear well-fitting, nice looking clothes.  I feel really proud of myself and I like who I am.

To think I initially worried about age as a factor against working out!  Now I know that being healthy, feeling well, and looking good is for everyone.  Curves is good for everyone!

- Lynn Delaney, Member of Curves North Natomas since 2005

Curves member, Jackie Hansen has never missed a workout since she joined – See What 3X a week can do for you!

Today is my 50^th workout at Curves.  Since December 29^th, 2006, I have worked out 50 times & lost 20 lbs & 10 inches overall.  It was so easy, all I did was work out a half hour three times a week & eat more protein.  Now, I am not the kind of girl that diets.  I live with three chefs that keep me well fed and I like to brew and enjoy my own beer.  Those are the things that I haven’t given up.  I did switch to drinking a Curves Protein Shake for breakfast, but that’s about it.   I am so glad that I joined Curves and am so proud of myself for not missing a single workout since I started, it is really paying off.  I am about to bust out the skinny jeans!

Curves member quits smoking and still loses at Curves!

I have been painfully aware of weight and size for as long as I can remember. I was always the chunky kid in school and at home. As I've grown up my weight has remained an issue, fluxuating year by year, but always ending up back where I started...overweight and unhappy.

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, well, one picture I saw of myself last June was worth a thousand tears. Is that me? Do I REALLY look like that? The camera adds 10 pounds, right? I weighed 181 pounds, and at a short 5'3", I was really unhealthy. I hadn't realized it because I was in love, which tends to be blinding, and I refused to go up a pant size, even though I had to do the old "lay down and suck it in" routine to get my pants on. I decided to make a change, which for me, meant visiting my local Curves.

It's been nine months and I have had so much success! I have dropped at least two pant sizes and am able to wear clothes that haven't fit me in a couple years, even swimsuits! Three months ago when I decided to quit smoking, I vowed that I wouldn't let that become a crutch for me to slip back into my old eating patterns, and I didn't.