Orando

Member Since May 2008

My Story
I didnt have a weight problem until after my first pregnancy in my early 20s where I put on 65 lbs and after giving birth never lost the baby fat. In fact as the years went by I continued to add to it until one day I woke up! I had accepted a job with a company that I was over qualified for but was making the best of my situation. After a corporate restructure occurred I lucked out and the right person discovered I was a purebred race horse hired to do the work of a mule and I was given an opportunity to run at the Kentucky Derby (figuratively speaking)! Not only did I Run for the Roses but I won! In April 2008 at a National Conference I was called on stage to be recognized for my outstanding achievement. There I stood on stage in my size 24 dress all 258 lbs of me. I had waited a lifetime for a moment like this and instead of basking in the lime light and taking it all in, all I really wanted to do was crawl in to a hole. There I stood before my colleagues giving me a standing ovation, somehow managing to fake a smile to mask the miserably unhappy obese middle aged woman that stood before them. I knew it was time to reclaim me that somewhere inside there was a happy whole person and I have been determined to find her.
I had started noticing early in the year a couple of different friends who were noticeably losing weight. I nonchalantly asked how they were doing it. Both responded with the same answer, the popular Low Carb, No sugar Diet. I went on line one day and looked at the program. After reading the cliff notes I realized I could do that and quickly solicited a coworker to get on board. I dove head first into my new way of eating, no more diet cokes and banana nut muffins around 10:30 for breakfast it was quickly replaced by an omelet with bacon, cheese and veggies. If eating this good was what it took to lose weight I was in! I had finally found a food program that would allow me to make choices that I could live with and actually enjoy. I started the program on April 15, 2008 and by the end of May 2008 had lost 9 lbs. I knew I was on to something however, my game plan wasnt complete! I was still missing a major component that would change my life and that is where Curves comes in!
There was a neighborhood Curves next door to one of my favorite delis! Id seen it a million times. So on a hot afternoon in May I mustered the courage to call Curves and schedule an appointment to, turn myself in! I quickly got weighed and measured, given the circuit tour and was coached on how to use the equipment properly. It was because of that training that I was immediately put at ease and not intimidated like I had been at other gyms. Once again, if working out was going to be this easy then Im in - I knew I could do ANYTHING for 30 seconds! Because I immediately felt comfortable I started a routine of going to Curves. Exercise had not been a part of my life for a very long time and even though I was trying to find the new me " the old me with bad habits had to be comfortable with my new approach. I slowly but surely started melting away! I started quickly recognizing that on months where I didnt have very big weight losses I had huge inch losses and vice versa! Once a month weigh ins quickly became one of the highlights of my month! I was staying the course.an inch here, pound there it seemed all in 30 second intervals! I never realized how 30 seconds could have such an impact on my life! If for some reason I slipped off the wagon and ate something I shouldnt have or skipped a day at Curves I would pick myself up and start all over the next day " rather than throw in the towel and walk away I stayed the course.
Then one day it happened. I came into the gym and up on the white board where all the top losers for the month and year are listed my name appeared as the Biggest Loser of the entire Gym! I had finally arrived! I couldnt believe it. This of course has given me bragging rights that money just could never buy! If anyone had ever told me that day upon my surrender at Curves, standing there all 249lbs of me in black spandex that within 6 months I would be the Gyms biggest loser I would not have believed them. In fact, I would have bet them a banana split that " that was impossible! But, Ive learned NOTHING is impossible!
I cant begin to express how much fun it is to grow out of your clothes because you are shrinking and they are all too big! How fun it is for people not recognize you! How exciting it is to wear a bathing suit without being mortified that youll run into someone you know! Yes, slowly but surely that whole person that was inside of the fat girl is slowly immerging. The metaphorsis is still not complete. I still feel like I have a ways to go. It is a slow but steady progression. I am no longer worried or wonder if it will happen because its happening. I finally took charge of my life and it feels wonderful! I will forever be grateful to Curves for developing a program that encourages as opposed to discourages. The genius behind 30 seconds/30 minutes really does work! It can change your life for that I am a living testament!
Oh and did I mention just 2 months ago, I ran another Kentucky Derby for my company and was once again called up on stage to receive an award? Only this time I stood on stage 75 lbs lighter in my size 12 dress and took it all in! I cant wait to go back in 2010 and do it all over again!

My Photos