Well, I went, and I can do this!! I think the hardest part was the times you have to march in place between machines. The people were pleasant and the music was peppy. Since it's close to my house and it only takes a little time, this may be a good plan for me. I'll let you know how it goes over time.

I belong to a "gym" called Bodyworks for Women. They have all these cool machines that are easy to use (okay most of them, lol.) Their hours are 6-10, Mon-Thur., Fri 6-8, I think and Sat., ?-2. and then a few hours on Sunday.

This was a lot more convienent that Curves which didn't seem to be open when I could get there. The doors closed at 8.

Hi tinydancer,

Welcome to the world of Curves membership. Except for 2 weeks ago when my father was in the hospital I have gone at least 3 times per week if not more. I weigh in and get measured on the 7th so I'll know how the first month went.

So far, I'm sticking to it and loving it. The other women have been great and we all encourage each other so much. The dreaded part for me is the machine where it rests on your shoulder and then you do squats. I messed up my knee cap and bursa sac in the knee a couple years ago and that machine is kind of hard on it. I'm still able to do it though as long as I take it a little easy.

Let us know how you do,
Carolyn

Well, I just did my one month weigh in and measurements.

I've lost 8 1/2 pounds

1 inch in the bust and in the arms
1 1/2 inches in the waist and in the hips
1/2 inch off the abdomen
no inches off the thighs.


I'm really jazzed about this. So far I haven't skipped any days or if I did I went another day instead.

Carolyn

New year's resolutions
 

With all the New Years Resoultions about losing weight and the thread about Weight Watchers I thought I'd revive this thread about Curves international.

Unfortunately for me a couple months after joining Curves last year I stopped going. Life got in the way with family members being sick, then I lost my workout buddy, and I just never went back. Those 8 pounds I lost came back and brought 20 more of its friends with it. That has been very frustrating this past year to gain 30 pounds.

In November one of my friends ended up in the hospital and it scared her enough she wants to get in better health. She said she was going to join Curves near her. Since I was still paying for the Curves membership I told her I was going to transfer my membership to her location and I'd join her in the workout. So far we've gone for two weeks and even have another friend who is joining us there afterwork. It's definitely much better having friends there working out with you.

My mom did Curves for quite a few months and really gained a lot of mobility back. It was great to see her walking and not having to rely so much on the wheel chair. Well she stopped going during the summer and has lost all the gains she made and can barely move again. I'm pushing her to come join us when we workout now. The doctor has told her the best thing for her arthritis is to start exercising. Mom has finally said she's going to join us this week.

Pray for me that I'll stick with going to Curves this time.

Carolyn

Good luck, Carolyn! It is so hard to get those pesky pounds off but getting started is the toughest part and you've done that!

I hope you can get your mom to join you! I'm sure she'll feel so much better after she goes a few times.

I loved Curves when I could go. My biggest issue was the time. I offically quit this month, although the last time I went was Oct. Between work and grad school, I need something that opens at 5:30 am.

Well I was always one skeptical about Curves, but since I had no idea what I was doing at the gym really, I joined in September.

I've only lost about 8 lbs, even though I've been going regularly 3 times a week. I need to lose about 20 more. I really need to get better eating habits. I did throw out the nutella today and am going to stop eating so much pasta roni. Grad school schedules just mess me up.

I love that you can travel with it and while I was home for break I went with my mom (who joined at home shortly after I did at school). Plus, when I move home in August for my internship, I can just transfer my membership.

I don't know about the times. The one where I belong is open 6am-8pm M-Th, 6am-6:30pm F, and 8am-noon Sat and Sun. My mom's does have a bit more restrictive hours, but not by much.

Good luck to everyone. At least we are making changes toward a healthy lifestyle.

I just joined Curves a week ago and I love it. There is one right by my house, only about a 5 minute walk. I am not overweight and am a lot heavier than I was 5 years ago. I used to be active, but somewhere along the line I became really lazy. I am trying to get back in shape and curves is helping. I actually look forward to going. My first weigh isn't for a couple of weeks, but I am already seeing results - my msucles are toning up quite nicely.

My only beef are the hours. My curves is open M-F, 9am-1pm and 3pm-7pm. I wish that it was open a little later in the evening. It is open on Saturdays too, but only from 9am-12pm.

I'm not sure if this matters to you ladies, but I've heard some interesting things about Curves and it's owner (I think he's the owner) donating sizeable amounts to organizations that are pro-life. I'm not sure of the details, but this website: http://www.curversforchoice.org/
has some information. I know that my mother quit going to Curves and found another program that works for her because she is very pro-choice and this bothered her. Just FYI!

I just joined last week! My husband and I like to walk for 30 minutes every night but with the kids' schedules, it wasn't happening as often as I like and he gets to go lift weights with the high school football team anyway so I needed something. This is great--I can go do it while the girls are in gymnastics!

A lot of women I know have peeled off a lot of inches with Curves.

I did consider Curves, but I ended up joining Lifestyles. I take classes and do individual exercises there.

Cosign - It seems to be better for Stay at Home Moms who might be able to run in during the day while their kids are at school. I like it for now (its better than nothing, but its still kinda limited.)