This is our story; two sisters on a journey to weight loss. Our story is not unlike many others who struggle dealing with obesity over the course of their lifetime. My sister, Donna, and I both have been overweight most of our lives. We have been on every diet you can think of and even some that we invented ourselves! We’d lose weight on diets, but then turn around and put it back on; with extra pounds to add. We are both entering middle age at this time and seriously began to look at what we needed to do to change our lives. We began researching Gastric Bypass Surgery and made the decision to go forward. We realize that GBS is not for everyone, but rather a personal decision one must make. It makes us sad when there are others that say “we took the easy way out”. I’m sure most would agree that until you have walked that walk, don’t assume it’s that easy. The struggle has been unique and we have hit rough spots along the way, but we are happy with our decision and our outcomes. We felt like we were at the end of the road as our health was being affected. Health issues included hypertension, borderline diabetes, and depression. We also have a family history of heart disease and stroke. We knew we had to do something! On November 17, 2006, I had GBS and December 20, 2006, Donna had surgery. This is a journey unto itself. We have both been fortunate. Our journey has been positive. I have lost 226 pounds and my sister has lost 114. We have gone from size 32 to12-14 and Size 28 to 8, respectively!! Our health has improved tremendously and we are almost off all medication. Yes, there have been bumps in the road, but they were minor compared to the outcomes we have achieved. The most important part of our journey has been EXERCISE. My sister and I joined Curves and have been exercising a minimum of three times per week faithfully for the past year. We were educated earlier on the process of pursuing the GBS that exercising would make the difference of how much and how fast we would lose weight. Curves has been extremely instrumental in helping us along in our journey. We attend the Westminster Curves in Carroll County, Maryland, and can’t say enough about the staff and the atmosphere at our Curves. We are an inspiration to ourselves as well as other members as we continue our journey. My sister and I would not have been as successful as we have been without exercising at Curves and practicing portion control at mealtimes. While GBS might not be the answer to your weight loss journey, please understand that exercise will be. We recommend Curves to all women who are battling weight issues and to others to keep themselves healthy. We wish everyone the best in their journey! Good Luck! --- Two sisters in Westminster, Maryland

Cecile Biais is a young woman who lives in Berkshire, a county in southern England. Cecilia approached her thirties, an age considered by many women as the "ideal age", but she bought her clothes in shops reserved for large sizes. She wanted to lose weight at any price, but did not know how to get started. "The more I swelled, the more I was depressed ... I totally lost my confidence, both at work with my friends. " In just one year, Cecile literally melted. With a size 50-52, she now has a recognizable figure with a waist of 38. She lost over 30 kilos and 167 cm distributed throughout the body! She says she spent a challenging year, but "without Curves, I could not have done!" In addition to her phenomenal weight loss and greatly improved fitness, Cecile also sees life in a much more positive way. Today she has more confidence in herself and feels more "balanced". Her health has also greatly improved, her attitude is positive and style of living has improved, elements that have brought her closer to her family. According to Cecile, this Curves adventure has changed her life. "It's the best decision I ever made."

When Diane Jordan made the decision to join Curves in 2006, her morale was "at the bottom." His size 60 did not only affect her pride; she seriously endangered her life. She had all the risks of developing hypertensive disorders, diabetes or suffering a stroke, among other serious health problems. At Curves, Diane learned that some small changes could make all the difference. Encouraged by the staff of Curves and the 30 minute workout three times a week, she began to drink water every day and eat smaller healthier food portions. She also began eating more fruits and vegetables. In just two years, Diane's efforts have paid off. She has now lost nearly 32 kilograms and wears size 14 dresses! She is proud of her efforts and said, thinking of her debut at Curves, "Since that time, I built a new life and I now have more confidence in myself and my body." Thinking about her new figure and the changes it has brought to her every day life, Diane recalls: "The last time I was this thin, I was a teenager!". In addition to this, Diane told us that before joining Curves and begin this adventure, she had never owned a pair of jeans or a single dress. After losing nearly 32 kg, jeans and dresses have now become two essential elements of her new wardrobe.