My name is Sharon Parks and this is my story. A friend of mine had started Curves in the fall of 2002 and had urged me to try it. She looked absolutely amazing……she had lost 25 inches and 35lbs. At the time I was smoking, a size 14 and would come home from work and have a beer and read a book until my husband came home; so Curves just sounded like a lot of work. Just about this time I also had a really bad episode with my diverticulitis. I decided that I would humor her and went down to the Curves in Attleboro to see what it was all about. Donna was the staff woman I spoke with and found that it would also help me out with my health issues. So in June of 2003 I finally signed up reluctantly and I can tell you today it was the BEST decision I ever made for my health! I quit smoking, lost 3 dress sizes, over 60 points on my cholesterol, over 100 points on my triglycerides and I feel absolutely Great!!!! I try to get there as many days as I can; but no less than 3 times a week. With so many machines; I keep a watch on the clock for my half hour. When I get home I have so much more energy. Each time I was hospitalized for diverticulitis I received many get well cards and calls from the Curves staff to see how I was doing. It made me really feel like I was a member of the Curves family and not just a member of a gym. After 3 years I finally had to have the intestinal surgery in September 2006 and my Surgeon told me at the time, because of going to Curves I recovered amazingly well and he suggested I continue going to Curves instead of going for physical therapy. The best gift my friend gave me was asking me to join Curves. I’m now into my 4th year and I’m looking forward to continuing this happy and healthy relationship. Thank you, Curves!

Hi - my name is Cheryl Caliri. My journey, like many of you, is and has been a long one. I am still on the road, but I am confident that with God's help, my family and the support of others, I will reach my destination. I have had weight issues for a very long time. It is hard for me to really remember a time when I was not overweight. Over the years I have done a lot of different "diets" all helping me to loose a few unwanted pounds only to have those pounds back and a few more on top of it. In November 2006 when a Holiday Bulge Contest was announced, and the top prize was a 2007 Ford Mustang, I was ready to participate. That Monday, I also went to Curves in Attleboro to find out about membership and to join. Some of the biggest and immediate changes for me included: exercise, something foreign to my body, eating 5 times a day, I typically ate about 1 time a day. I cut out soda, caffeine, and salt and increased my water intake to about 100 oz per day. I went from eating 1 time a day to eating 5 small balanced portions a day. "I still fight the battle every day to eat healthy but, with the help of God, my Family and Curves, I am a winner every day! By the way. [I won the] grand prize in that contest, the 2007 Ford Mustang convertible - value $25,000!" (I took the money.) I can do it - you can do it. Like the Staff says, "Just do it." Your body will thank you.

Susan's exercise program consists of 20 minutes on the elliptical three days a week, and 35 minutes at Curves three days a week. She also wears a pedometer every day to get an idea of the amount of walking she does, and it does vary: “On an average work day I log only about 4,000 to 6,000 steps (I spend a lot of time at my desk at work). But it's not uncommon for me to get in 10,000 steps a day on the weekend, and my high was 14,000. On days when my step numbers are lower and I haven't worked out, I find ways to get in some extra steps, like taking the dogs for a walk. I like wearing the pedometer because it helps me to gauge how active I have—or haven't—been during the day. ‘Exercise is not an option for good health; it's a necessity.’” I have six more pounds to go. Thank you, Curves! Susan’s advice to current or potential members: “Don't give up. Take it one day at a time, and take care of you,” she says. “You deserve this—you deserve a better life. Consistently meeting my goals has made me happier, calmer and healthier. Not to mention, I’m now sleeping better. I don't ever want to go back to my old eating habits. I make time for me at Curves and I like the new me.”