Jacksonville

Member Since March 2003

My Story
I joined in 2003 after retiring from an insurance company and working there for 40 yrs. Becoming more fit was my goal along with weight loss. I achieved both within a short time and was attending 3 times a week. Then in 2005, my Mother became ill and in 2006 she passed away. Each day when I left Curves, I would meet her for breakfast. Now that my Mother was gone, I lost the interest of working out and especially since I no longer was able to meet her when I finished.

Yes, I came back a few times, but the pain was there as I missed my Mother so much. Then in Jan 2008, I decided she would not like the fact I had not only gained all my weight back, but had packed on another 30 plus pounds. So, my new journey was to begin. Attending 3 times a week was getting easier in Jan and Feb of 2008. Then, something happened I did not expect. I went for a routine physical and found out I was Type 2 Diabetic. My Dad has Diabetes as well as my Grandmother died in a diabetic coma.

The doctor wanted to immediately put me on meds, but I asked what I could do to avoid. She said to exercise a minimum of 30 mins per day 7 days a week and loose a minimum of 40 lbs. This was to be my new lifestyle. I told her I could do this. I wasn't really provided a diet, just a guide line for carb intake.

The very next day, I returned to Curves and told our manager, Mesha that I was diabetic and what my goals were. About that same time, Curves Smart had been introduced to our club, but I was not participating. At the suggestion of John Anderson, Owner, and Mesha, I tried the new program and loved it after just one workout.

Well, I did it for that one day, and quickly realized that this was a whole new feature and certainly was directed at results. Yes, in the past I was working out and moving every 30 seconds from board to machine, but I was not necessarily concentrating and giving the workout all I could. I did find out after that first workout, you do your chatting when on the board, and when on the machines, you are focused, you want to avoid that ugly yellow light and seen all green.

Focused I have been now for over a year. I have lost the weight as directed by my doctor and never felt better. Actually, my blood levels are now at what a normal person would be.

My doctor is so amazed at my focus of working out daily, and the fact that I have not only met, but exceeded all her suggestions for a healthy diabetic.

When I see a new member come in, or even those that haven't yet started Curves Smart, I tell them of my story.

Many of the days I am there, someone will comment on my energy as well as stating they want to look like me. My most recent compliment came last week when a lady said she wanted to look like me, a piece of Asparagus. I am almost 65 and stand 5'4" and weigh 123.

I have never felt better, and I guess for being almost 65, I look pretty good, at least that is what all my friends say at Curves.

I thank our Lord each day that I have the resources to keep me fit and focused. The Curves family is one that I look forward to seeing everyday.

I am not gong to solicit people to vote for me, as I am only writing this to let you know what a wonderful fitness program you have developed, and it has changed my life forever.

Thank You,
Dee Dee Price
Jacksonville, Florida