Ok, convince me to join Curves!

[Mercy]

I inquired about Curves on the Community Board and was directed to this board.... what does W.I.S.H. stand for anyway??

OK, they opened a new Curves right around the corner from where I work, a plus. I get off at 3:30, so even with the 30 minute workout I can still be home by 4:30ish, another plus. I really don't think the price is that far out of line.. $29 a month, $39 registration? fee, another plus. Seems pretty easy, not much thinking to do, they've already done that for you, another plus. Looks like it might get boring over the long haul, a minus.

I did a search on epinions and Curves got mixed reviews. Most of the negatives referred to those who did not get much in the way of results and those who got bored with it.

Now, let me explain myself to you, I'm 46, 4'11", about 122 lbs., size 6-8. Not terribly overweight or anything, but I would like to lose a few pounds (5 to 8) and tone up, and just be in better shape physically. Will Curves work for me?

 

[DixieDreamer]

I joined my local Curves on May 8th of this year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I am very close to my goal weight at this time and purposefully eating to lose the last 5 pounds VERY VERY slowly... but with the addition of the Curves program - I have moved down 1 full size (with almost no weight loss) and another size in some fashions.... That's right I have lost TONS OF INCHES! I am at work right now ... or I would pull my measurement sheets and tell you exactly how many inches I have lost. I went from comfortable size 10's to solid loose size 8 and I fit in size 6's in about half the styles I try now. All with about 3 pounds of additional weight loss! LOL!

There just is nothing like the combination of resistance training, cardio, and fun that the Curves experience provides. The fun comes from the circle of folks you get to know and visit with when you attend. I think everyone's experience will be completely dependant on how much you put into it. For me... it has been a great addition to my health routine.

 

[wovenwonder]

WISH WELCOME
Welcome to WISH

WISH = We're Inspired to Stay Healthy!

There are just about as many different programs as there are WISHers! BUT -- we all have the same end goal -- to lose weight and become healthier inside and out! Becoming healthy on the outside takes becoming a better person on the inside -- and THAT is what WISH has done for ME!

It's great to have you join us!

'Official Sign Up Thread'
Be sure to sign up HERE so Kath [nativetxn] can add you to the 'official list' of WISHers. The list is HUGE! We are happy to have you as part of it!



Clipart Instruction

You will find instructions for the WISH clipart HERE.

WISH Family Album

Be sure to tell us about yourself [and post a picture too] on the WISH Family Album - which you will find HERE.

Gee, I bet you never thought becoming a WISHer would be so much hard work! You ARE going to join us, right? It is a terrific support group and I'd love to have you become part of it.

 

[Mercy]

wovenwonder - Thanks for explaining W.I.S.H. and thanks for the welcome! Staying healthy and getting in shape is one of the main reasons for wanting to join Curves. I'm 46 with no real health issues so far... I'd like to keep it that way

DixieDreamer - Wow, your post was real encouraging! It sounds like you are doing great! I do need to run this by my DH, but maybe Curves will be right for me.

Anyone else out there with encouraging words about Curves, results you've had, etc.??

 

[Debbie]

My thoughts. Any thing that you do extra can't hurt. I like the 30 minute in and 30 minute out routine. I like that you are doing some strength training with the machines. I like that you can do your own thing-but do it with a buddy if you want.

My results: 5½ month weigh in (after my Disney trip last month)

Loss:
inches-25.25
pounds-34.50
body fat pounds-26.42

I'm pleased.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

When I checked into it I wasn't that impressed with it. Plus the amount of money it cost to join, you are only allowed to go 3 days a week!
And you have to have them take the money out electronically instead of you paying it by check or however you wanted to pay it.
I wasn't thrilled about this.
I would rather join a gym or club like Bally's(they had a special of 19 a month online) and then go work out at my own pace or as many days a week as I wanted.

Many do seem to enjoy curves, so best of luck!

I'll take my swimming!

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by ~Sparkly~Zoe
you are only allowed to go 3 days a week!

REALLY? They never told me that. With the kids, I can usually only manage 3 times a week anyway, but times they've been at Grandma's house I've gone 6 times in a week. I know others at my Curves who routinely go 5 or 6 times a week.

Since I joined in April, I've lost 20 pounds and about 20 inches. And gobs of body fat (don't have mt sheet handy)

If I had another option for exercise that incorporated strength training, I might not continue with Curves, but now, that's about my only option.

I also like the women I work out with. I actually met the woman who lives across the street and a few doors down and we are good friends now.

Sorry if this makes no sense. I'm on hold with Tivo, typing 1 handed and have a bad headache

 

[AprilN]

you are only allowed to go 3 days a week!

I don't believe that's true at any Curves location, and it's certainly not true at mine. They want you to work out at least 3 days a week, and they recommend 3 times a week in order to allow your muscles to recover in between sessions, but you can work out every day if you want to. They only allow you to work out once a day, however.

I've been going to Curves for almost a month (first measurement day on Sat!), and I've enjoyed it. The machines are challenging enough, I feel like I'm building muscle, and the 30 minutes seem to fly by! I don't find the workout to be too repetitious, because there is always different music and different people around. Also, they change the direction of the workout (clockwise vs. counter-) every Wed., and move the machines around every month. It feels like a new workout!

Curves works for me because it has the structure of a class (defined workout) but the freedom of a gym (come in anytime). Give it a try!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

When I went to check it out this is what they told us. They only want 3 days a week because then you won't be doing your body any good. Personally I would have wanted 5.
This was a brand new location that had just opened up and they had an open house so we went in to check it out and see about joining. Needless to say they lost out on 2 people joining.

 

[wiskband]

I joined back in march. My first month I lost 9 pounds and 11 inches. the second month I lost 7 pounds 5 inches. Then I STOPPED!!!!!! dont ask me why. I could say i was too busy with the kids being home it was right around that time I stopped. But Im back. Going every day. Besides curves, I have just been simpy watching what I eat and drinking a whole lot of water. Ill let you know after a month. THUMBS UP for CURVES.
renee

 

[*Flower*]

I just joined last week, and although they did mention that I should come in every other day, I was also told that if I do come in more often- not to work so hard the next visit. They say that if I do the high-intensity every day that it could break down muscle instead of fat.
I do plan on going every day that I can though........

 

[maryliz]

I've been a Curves member since the end of March, and I love it! My own personal goal is to go 3 times a week, but when things like vacation and lack of motivation aren't interfering, I'm usually there 4 times a week. I think that if you were doing true "weight-training" where you control the weights you're working with, you only want to do that every other day for the reasons they've mentioned. But since the machines at Curves are resistance, I don't think it's the same effect so as far as toning, losing inches, and a little weight along the way, it's awesome. If you're really concerned about being told the 3x/week, I would question them on it. In almost 6 months, I have never been told that I'm coming too much (and that includes when we did a trial 7AM start and I went 6x/week).

I think that part of what you're hearing is because it is a new club. Mine just opened in March, and I find the staff to be more "rigid" (ie. "don't use the recovery board like a step'; "don't do a full minute on a machine -- you're working those muscles too hard") than the one my sister goes to that has been open for several years. Actually if it hadn't been for my sisters recommendation, I would have left the night I went to check mine out because the girl from head office was just downright annoying.

I say go for it ... and let us know if you decided to do it!

Mary Liz

 

[Mercy]

Thanks for all the replys guys... well, I did it! I joined on Thursday, but had to set up my first appointment to work out for today. At this point I'm really not worried about going more than 3 times a week.... honestly, that is my biggest fear, that I won't go enough. So W.I.S.H. me luck!!

 

[snoopy]

Mercy, I live very near Maryland and I have my first Curves appointment today too! Wouldn't that be funny if we ended up going to the same Curves workout? My appointment today is in Virginia, since I work in Virginia, but one of the questions I have for them is if we can use all Curves, or just the location I sign up at.

I've got 25 pounds to lose. I cannot believe I actually have that much weight to lose, I have never been more then 10 pounds overweight. But with quitting smoking, and generally eating whatever the heck I wanted all summer long, I'm paying the price now. Anyway, I've heard good things about Curves, and the price seemed reasonable. I'll let you know what I think of it after my appointment today!

 

[maryliz]

Congrats to you both, Mercy and Snoopy !!! I hope you like it as much as I do ! Good luck.

Mary Liz

 

[Mercy]

Hey Snoopy, that's cool! No, I won't be working out in Virginia, I'm more central MD. I wasn't feeling real well today and was thinking about cancelling and rescheduling my first appointment, but your post has inspired me to go!

I asked about using other Curves and they told me yes, if you are having the fees deducted monthly from your checking account, you can.

Report back later with your thoughts!!

 

[snoopy]

Hi Mercy!

I just got back from my appointment a bit ago, I am really impressed! All the women there seemed to be really nice and supportive of one another, and I just loved the leader. She is very young and energetic, I'm neither, heh heh!, so I need that motivation. I found it interesting that there were women of all shapes, sizes, and ages in there and all seemed to be doing the workout with no problems.

I joined! I'm going to my first workout tomorrow, I'll report back in afterwards. You do the same!

 

[*Flower*]

Snoopy-

If you sign up for the automatic withdrawl from your checking account (which is a $10 savings), you'll be able to workout at ANY Curves.

This is kind of what I'm looking at- because I'm going to be at WDW from 12/19 - 01/04. I don't want to depend on the fact that walking around Disney is going to have the same effect on me as doing the resistance training.

Like I said...... I didn't want to take the chance that I'd be breaking the contract if I didn't like it- so I paid for a month up front. I've gone three times so far, and my scalp is wet when I'm done. For me... that's pretty good!!

So in October, I'll probably sign up for the year and take advantage of the savings and going to ANY Curves to work out.

Good luck with your decision!!!

 

[Mercy]

Hey Snoopy,
I went for my first work out today! It was fun, the center I joined just opened up so not that many people there yet. My instructor walked me through the machines... some were a little awkward for me, 1. because I'm so short, 2. because I'm an exercise geek!

But let me say, I usually don't sweat much, and it was very cold in the room but by the end I had worked up a sweat. Between doing the machines, moving on and off the machines, steping, dancing, etc. on those pads.... you are constantly moving!

So my biggest fear is that I will not go... you know start out strong and then fizzel out. Snoopy we should motivate each other!! I think I'm going back tomorrow.

 

[snoopy]

Mercy, I know just what you mean -- I have a tendency to start out strong and fizzle out as well. I'm hoping that the fact that the workout is only 30 minutes will save me from burning out though - I mean, its 30 minutes 3 times a week. Not a huge time commitment. We CAN do it! I would love to be your "buddy". I'm going tomorrow, so I'll post when I get back. Also, feel free to PM me anytime.

Flower, I did find that out today about using the other Curves. I went ahead and signed up for the year where they take it from my checking account. I figured I would be more apt to go if I signed a contract, plus saving the $10 a month and being able to use Curves all over the country is a plus. Did you find a Curves near WDW? Please let me know what you find out about that - I'm curious as we will be in WDW for a week over Easter 2004.