Like myself, there are many men, women, and children in our world that have struggled and continue to struggle with poor eating habits, in addition to a sedentary lifestyle. In March of 2008 I embarked on a journey to make a serious change in my lifestyle. Having much experience losing and gaining weight multiple times over the last 20 years, I began to realize and accept the seriousness of my declining health as a result of being morbidly obese, and I truly believed I would not live to be age 55. I was 47 years old and weighed 337 pounds, and I could no longer deny how powerless I was over the disease of morbid obesity. With Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea and depression, my life and health had become unmanageable. Amazing, at this time in my life, I was blessed with a friendship with a woman who encouraged me to consider a different way of life. She approached me one day and said “Anna, I have lived in your body. I know exactly how you feel. There is hope.” At first I didn’t really take her seriously. Gradually, I took hold of what she shared with me about her Bariatric Surgery-Gastric Bypass experience. There was a lot of research and preparation that I had to begin doing to understand what she was talking about, as well as the process of being qualified by my medical insurance company for this procedure. My whole predicament was frustrating at times, but I was determined I was going to do whatever I had to do to improve my health, and to begin living and participating in life again. From July 2008 to September 2008 I began the preoperative process necessary to be approved for Gastric Bypass. For me I knew that my only recourse would be a permanent change versus the Lapband. Having lived in this body for so many years, I understood the importance of making the right choice. On October 27, 2008, I had Gastric Bypass at the Durham Regional –Duke Hospital – Bariatric Unit. With God’s Grace, I had no complications during surgery or after. I came home and began my recovery process. My whole way of eating and thinking of eating changed. The amount of food I could eat was drastically changed, as well as what I could eat. Going through Thanksgiving was not as hard as I thought it would be. I was blessed that I didn’t have to work during those first few months of my recovery as well. For Christmas every year my in-laws ask for a wish list for ideas of what to give as gifts. I decided I would ask for a Curves membership on my wish list. I was already walking a lot with a neighbor, who was a member of the Curves in Holly Springs. The two gifts that have kept on giving throughout 2009 has been the blessing of weight loss surgery and my Curves membership! I started on January 4th, 2009. I weighed in at 276 pounds. Amazingly, I had already lost around 60 pounds. I began working out 3 days a week and I was still walking with my neighbor as much as possible. I started Substitute Teaching in March 2009. I continued to work out 3 times a week, and was walking with my husband in the evenings with our pups. Some weeks it has been tough to do those 3 days. Some times it is only 2 days depending on what’s happening in my life. And if I miss a week due to family commitments or whatever, I start the next week. I do not push myself to make up for time lost, because I am a living miracle today. I stay on track as much as possible and do the best I can, and that is okay. My body feels 300% better! I started working part-time at Harris Teeter in August 2009. I am so grateful for the many blessings I have been blessed with. The supportive environment that the ladies at Curves provide has been a blessing throughout my journey. Presently, my weight is around 175 pounds. I don’t keep up with the other stuff, but I’ve been told I’ve lost lots and lots of inches! The numbers are not so important to me, as I am just grateful to be alive today. God Bless all who understand and best wishes for the upcoming New Year.

I joined Curves in May 2007 with a goal of getting back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. They were a size 20 and I was in a size 24 and sometimes even a size 26. I worked out 3 times a week and watched my diet. The changes occurred when the Curves SMART program came to the Holly Springs club. I started working out 4 times a week and results followed. I continued to watch my diet my carefully and pay close attention to portion control. I have now lost a total of 67.5 inches and 81.5 pounds. I can wear large top and 16 bottoms. I blew right on by those size 20 jeans and I have a great excuse to go shopping!

In July 2003, my friend convinced me to go with her to Curves. I remember walking in and thinking, “This is it?” However, after my first workout, I knew that Curves was the place for me! The staff and members were all so friendly and encouraged me to stick with it. Slowly, the inches and pounds started coming off, which encouraged me to continue working out three times a week. As the months passed, my energy level and confidence increased drastically, and everyone, including my students, began commenting on my weight loss. When the opportunity arose the following summer, I was excited to join the Curves Staff as a Circuit Coach. I have enjoyed getting to know each of the ladies, who continue to inspire me as we celebrate our success! I have participated in several weight management classes with the members and learned so much. Just before Spring Break 2008, I was thrilled to have reached my original goal - I was back to my college weight and size! In August 2008, Curves Smart was introduced to our club, and all I could say after my first Smart workout was “WOW!” The Fit ’n Trim program made for a totally different workout! The Success Coach kept me working hard going for the green, and I was amazed to see the inches continue melting away! By March 2009, our Manager, Nancy, convinced me to try the Muscle Size ’n Strength program, committing to working out 5 times a week. My percent body fat dropped drastically as I continued losing inches and pounds. Now, six years after that first workout, I have lost a total of 69 inches and 64 pounds! I love my Curves!