I have also lost 17 ½ inches and a stone and a half and feel much better. If I didn’t exercise regularly, I would definitely be putting on weight. It’s so much harder to lose as I’ve aged but coming to Curves has helped me take it off and keep it off. In addition to my improved fitness levels and reduced dress size, I’m pleased to say that my osteoporosis hasn’t gotten any worse which is good. I also have arthritis in my knees and neck and coming to Curves has kept me more mobile. I find if I miss a week then I am so stiff. The ladies and staff are lovely and I enjoy coming because we have a good laugh in the circuit. Everyone is so friendly and each person is interesting and has her own stories to tell. The fact that the workout is just 30 minutes makes it easy to fit in my schedule between my work shifts and since each station is only 30 seconds, there’s no time to get bored! I will soon be earning my 600 workout t-shirt. Hard to believe how fast the time has gone.

The two things I’d never done were to exercise and to change my eating habits. As I became older and fatter I suffered from the usual middle-age post-menopausal health issues. I was grossly overweight and had diabetes, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and assorted pains in my joints and lower back. I had no energy and was a physical wreck, all of which devastated me emotionally as well as physically. Just walking up or downstairs was an effort. I’d never set foot in a gym after high school; I always loathed exercising and I hate to sweat. That said, I understood I no longer had a choice in the matter. In desperation, I finally joined Curves. I had some initial success at first but some medication issues set me back. Once that was resolved I decided to follow the Curves diet plan for carb-intolerant people (which was good for my diabetes) and to continue religiously with my exercising. To my amazement I had great success! I lost 40 pounds and innumerable inches in about 8 months! I just kept getting smaller even though my weight has remained constant for many months. I’ve become much more flexible and strong, and most of my assorted aches and pains have left. I have much more energy as well as a more positive outlook and a better, healthier self-image. I actually like myself now and have more self confidence. I am able to walk (not waddle), to dance, to enjoy my life. I can now fit into clothes I’ve not been able to wear for many many years. My blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol are now all well within normal limits and under control. (Unbelievably, my doctor recently had to lower my diabetes medicine because my sugars were going too low!) I am not embarrassed any longer to be seen in public because people no longer turn and stare as I waddle by. I am constantly getting compliments from family and friends and fellow Curves members, many of whom have told me I’m a great inspiration to them. I now enjoy clothes shopping because I can find stylish things that look good, fit well, and please me. I don’t need to wear stretchy fabrics and elastic waists any more and can now wear jeans for the first time in my entire life! I’m having no problems maintaining my new lower weight. I know I’ve finally found the key to weight control and the tools to help me at my Curves. To sum it up, I look better and feel better. I am a smaller, fitter, healthier, happier person, and I know I could never have done this without Curves.

Cecile Biais is a young woman who lives in Berkshire, a county in southern England. Cecilia approached her thirties, an age considered by many women as the "ideal age", but she bought her clothes in shops reserved for large sizes. She wanted to lose weight at any price, but did not know how to get started. "The more I swelled, the more I was depressed ... I totally lost my confidence, both at work with my friends. " In just one year, Cecile literally melted. With a size 50-52, she now has a recognizable figure with a waist of 38. She lost over 30 kilos and 167 cm distributed throughout the body! She says she spent a challenging year, but "without Curves, I could not have done!" In addition to her phenomenal weight loss and greatly improved fitness, Cecile also sees life in a much more positive way. Today she has more confidence in herself and feels more "balanced". Her health has also greatly improved, her attitude is positive and style of living has improved, elements that have brought her closer to her family. According to Cecile, this Curves adventure has changed her life. "It's the best decision I ever made."