Brandon

Member Since January 2009

My Story
I was divorced in 1996 and that was the beginning of my downhill fall (not tumble!) into major weight gain. Determined to go forward and not dwell in depression, I made some decisions. Though sad and disappointed about the divorce--after many years of marriage and raising three kids, I went back to school to get my college degree. While taking classes toward a double degree, going through a lingering two-year divorce, and working part time, I found myself gaining weight. I blamed Peanut M & Ms entirely for this far too long!! I have since accepted my own responsibility for loving chocolate w-a-a-a-a-y too much!
After getting my BA, I went to Grad. School and worked through those days, also. During college and Grad. School, my jobs were desk jobs, which required me to be sedentary mostly. So all that sitting, loss of major sleep, stress from all the changes, and no exercise...caused me to gain in excess of 70 lbs! And to add insult to injury, I am a little more than 5 feet tall and that was contributing to my weight gain. I just basically had given up--everything, except praying about it! I never stopped praying, but just didn't lose any weight. (After-all, when you exercise an hour a day at the gym, diet, and still don't lose, you begin to wonder why you should make the effort and that is exactly where I was.) Nothing worked, so I quit trying.
The last few years, my blood pressure had gotten very high and I was taking three different medications. In the midst of all this, my mother developed Leukemia and passed away. I work as Family Advocate in a non-profit agency and we see abused children (mostly sexually abused children) every day. The job is one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done in my life, but very heart-breaking on most days.
In January of this year (2009), I went to the doctor with what I thought were Asthma symptoms. Turned out, after an exam, the doctor wanted me to go to a Cardiologist. I was thinking, "He probably will get the appointment in a couple of weeks..." Yet, when he came back into the room, he informed me that my EKG had a "few glitches" and my appointment with the Cardiologist had been made for the very next day! So, I went to the Cardiologist only to find out that I was indeed having early signs of heart disease. Feeling very mad at myself and beginning to immediately condemn myself for this, my wise doctor only said, "No! This is the beginning of your road to getting healthy." And...amazingly, it was!! I discovered Curves and they helped me start a new life! I started on a healthy regimen and began Curves about two weeks later after a friend called and invited me to go. It was the 'nudge' I needed.
For two years, I had driven by my neighborhood Curves (deliberately) "planted," (I have no doubt) between my favorite Mexican restaurant and a wonderful ice cream shop. Ever since January, I've not darkened the door of the Mexican restaurant or the ice cream shop, and I have lost over 30 lbs. By Christmas, I hope to lose 40 more to be back to where I was before the weight gain started.
This week, my doctor took me off the last blood pressure medication I was on. When I went in March (after beginning Curves in January), Id gotten some weight off and he took some of the medicine away at that time, saying that at my next checkup in six months, he would take the last prescription away-- if I continued to lose weight. This week (four months early), he stopped the last one. My blood pressure is normal and has been since losing those first pounds!! I don't crave candy or ice cream!! That's amazing in itself! I have five to six servings of fruit a day, as well as, vegetables. I'm off red meat, except occasionally and I work out at Curves faithfully three days a week. I feel so much better.
Shortening my own life was a poor testimony, but changing my life is a wonderful testimony. I knew I needed Curves, and it is the answer to prayer in more ways than one. I've made new friends, plus really have a good time when I go. I actually feel like something is missing if I don't go! So, my amazing story is that I am getting healthier and happier than I've been in years. I'm 57, but I took a "REAL AGE" Test yesterday and my "real age" was revealed to be 49...(I can't imagine what it'll be when I lose the other 40 lbs!) I'm not going to get older! Like my mother said on her 87th birthday, "I'm not getting older. I'm going backward now." Im getting younger with every pound I lose and that makes me truly amazing!!
(And by the way, I decided that I am writing myself a check each month for $150. At the end of a year, I can take a nice trip on the money Ive saved on prescriptions!!) Don't you think I will look great in a new (and smaller) wardrobe for my trip??!!