Curves- more than an exercise program, more than losing kilos and changing shape! I have met so many local ladies and made new friends at Curves. I really enjoy the social chats while stretching! Curves is such a great place to start when you are new to the area and the country! I was always an energetic and active person with 3 Labrador dogs to walk on the beach, and we all had our daily, early morning, swim in the sea. I lived in a seaside village called Fish Hoek, in greater Cape Town, South Africa, and was lucky enough to work in the same village, time to swim before work! After back surgery, nearly four years ago, I was unable to do many of the “normal” everyday things. Years before that I had both shoulders operated on. Simple things like hanging washing were so hard I needed a rest half way through. I could manage short walks but nothing too strenuous. Then I arrived in Halswell and I tried Curves!!!! And wow none of the machines hurt my back. I had to be careful of the weak shoulders for a time but I pushed through the little bit of pain and gradually strengthened my shoulders – I can now reach right up with both arms and feel nothing! I recently joined a walking group and have managed 13-16k walks with relative ease. The walk from Lyttelton to Rapaki beach involved clambering over rocks and a nearly vertical climb up to the path! Something I would never have managed before Curves! I love Curves Smart and fight with the green lights every workout! Sometimes I win and then the machine increases the resistance and I have to get stronger all over again! I walk to my workouts, at least 4 times a week, with my Labradoodle pup – he sits quietly outside waiting for me. A lady who sees me often on the way asked me: “where do you take your dog each day” I replied that we go to the gym. “Is there a gym for dogs?” was her reply. We laughed when I said;” no I get Curved at Curves!” She is keen to give it a go when the summer comes back! My friends are commenting on how good I look So much so that 3 of them have joined curves too! ! Need I tell you positive comments are the best thing for increased self confidence. It is not so much the weight loss but the toning and muscle power that have made all the difference. In fact I have not lost a lot 5.4kg but I have built up muscle and toned up to look slimmer, 50 centimetres in total. I am minus 4.27 kg in body fat in the year and a half I have been working out at Curves. My Doctor and I are thrilled with the fact that my cholesterol is down, blood pressure perfect and my thyroid function is now normal too. I find I have so much more energy and I am sleeping better too- if there are no big earth quakes! I will be visiting my grandsons in England, later this month and we will be able to go on ‘adventures in the forest’, because “Oma” is a whole new person able to enjoy the boys so much more. So come on give it a go and see what Curves can do for you!

We think Rosie deserves to buy a set in every colour of the rainbow to celebrate her hard work and determination. She has made an amazing transformation and we are all very proud of her.

Teresa Howell knew it was time to do something about her weight when giving up a trip to Hawaii was less painful than the thought of wearing a swim suit in Hawaii. At 234 pounds, she had been diagnosed with high blood pressure a severe depression. That is when her neighbor convinced her to join Curves. “We agreed to work out together so that we had someone else to be accountable to and a lot less likely to cheat (by “we” I mean “me”), Teresa recounts." She really never liked exercising so she was amazed when she started craving her morning exercise routine at Curves. When she started to see results she enrolled in the Six Week Solution. As the pounds and inches decreased, her self esteem increased. Teresa was making friends and felt more comfortable with herself then ever. In fact, she enjoyed Curves so much that she started working at her club as a fitness coach. Teresa says, “I love sharing my successes and sharing in the successes of our members and my many new friends.”