SHOULD I REJOIN......CURVES read what do you think!

[wiskband]

Hi all, having a dilemma here............
Ill try to sum it up quickly then I need opinions..........
I am at a stand still now and need to figure out exactly what components played a big role in my weight loss.
So here goes,

Join curves in 3-03 weighing 203lbs. During my curves months, I went about 3-5 times a week, and did LC.
A few months later I found WISH and incorp. WATP tapes.

When all was said and done, I lost (according to curves 45 lbs.) last weigh in was in 3-04.
I left curves after my year was up for a few reasons.
----Money 40 bucks a month! I figured Iwould buy a TM and exercise on that as well as train for the marathon.
----Thinking of relocating......still thinking I may however, I can use curves where ever I go.
----Time and babysitting issues, they dont offer it and I went back to work howver, I am sure I will be able to go into work a hour later!
----ANd I just felt I wasnt sweating enough anymore, I began feeling as if I became to used to the work out.



fast forward to now.........
I am weighing in at 162 (according to curves, just got back from there) however my scale states 156.
I really do like the people that work there. i walked inthere today after about 10 months and I got hugs and kisses.... I mean they remember my name and I really did make friends there!
The money is not too much of an issue, I mean I got it but hate to waste money like anyone else. And I hate to be suckered into any kind of contract! however, If I am paying for something, I will use it!

beside the money anyway, have any of you been there for more than a year and feel you are still seeing results? I could work out harder, I am sure...........

I dont know.........
just confused!

lets poll this............ tell me your opinions.
I would really like to lose another 30 lbs or so..........
goal weight is 130.



renee

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Renee,
I just recently joined Curves and I really enjoy it. I especially like that it is only 30 minutes and I don't get bored. I can't seem to consistently use workout tapes at home - I tend to talk myself out of using them.

I have noticed that a lot of the thinner women at my Curves do the circuit 3 times adding on I think about 7 to 10 minutes in the workout. This may be all you need to get to your new goal. Also, I never found that I sweated that much with the WATP tapes. I tried the Firm for awhile but was so exhausted AFTER the workout that it was hard to get up the motivation to do the workout. At least with Curves I feel energized afterwards.

I have found it sometimes hard to get my heart rate between 70 and 80% I've learned to vary what I am doing in the walk stations. Sometimes I'll use it as a step, sometimes I'll do Jumping jacks - just depends on how my heart rate is doing.

I guess you need to ask yourself - are you doing your WATP and treadmill enough to make a difference?
~Amanda

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It's up to you Renee--

I find sweating important for me (and I'm talking a lot). Anytime I mentioned anything to the staff about my lack of it (hr was always in the right colors)--they would just say that's what is so great about Curves.

Sounds like you have a great Curves family to go back to.

Anyway you can join without a contract?

 

[wiskband]

NO I can;t.......... they do have this 3 months for 99 dollars but you need to be a student. Anyway I just joined the discovery health challenge which gives an 8 week frre bee to ballys so I think Ill ride that out and then ill see.

renee

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

NO I can;t.......... they do have this 3 months for 99 dollars but you need to be a student. Anyway I just joined the discovery health challenge which gives an 8 week frre bee to ballys so I think Ill ride that out and then ill see.

renee

I personally do like a conventional gym better .

 

[maryliz]

Hi Renee. I was so glad to read your post - similar situation. I've been doing Curves since March 2003. I can always find a reason to NOT do my WATP tapes. I actually think they may have been lost in the move. My biggest thing right now is "do I quit Curves?". I haven't been since the end of November. I got sick in early Dec, and then with Christmas, just didn't have the time. And I had decided that I wasn't doing Curves for at least 2 weeks before the 1/2 because I've hurt my knees a couple of times there. We moved in October so now with the drive there and back, it takes me well over an hour to go.

I've put almost 10 lbs back on in the past couple of months, and I am no where even close to goal. I love my Curves family, and it will be fun to see them all again. I know that if I quit, I won't lose any more weight. But I found I was getting kind of bored with the program, and the time factor with the extra drive. Also, I live in Ontario so once I'm home, I have no inclination to go back out into the cold and snow to go anywhere, but my hours with my daycare don't give me enough time to go on my way home from work.

I need some motivational help here folks! Now that the 1/2 is over and done with, how do I reinforce to myself that losing more weight is now my current training challenge? More "conventional type gyms" are pretty expensive in comparison so that's not an option for me right now.

Renee, I think that you trying Bally's is a great idea. Then you can make a good comparison and make the decision. Good for you!

Mary Liz

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I like out with a member "owned" member run gym called Our Club--and it's only $30/month..if I volunteer 15 hours per month (hmmm...where do I find the time!)--it's FREE!

And they have a pool.

So I do like them better than curves--for a price (read $$$$)--they do have child care...and that was my downfall with curves--I don't like working out during the dinner hour which leaves first thing in the morning..and hubby goes too early to work for me to go to Curves. At least with the gym--I have childcare to fall back on.

 

[Valentine]

Okay... here's the skinny on Curves... It is a great exercise program for folks who need to get "started" on exercising. I started with Curves myself.... However, once your body is used to it... you will no longer lose or tone. (This from several friends I know who are trainers/bodybuilders) A convential gym is a much better choice... AND they are quite comparable cost wise... (I have checked!) AND a gym with a treadmill might be a better choice for you (marathon queen that you are! )

Just my 2 cents!

Kathy

 

[wiskband]

Thanks all for the response..........I think I may have found my solution!

My very best friend, who I never see anymore ( life gets in the way!) goes to the gym every day during her lunch hour. It is next to her job and close to my house. Besides the regular house chores, my days are free, I work at night! She suggested that I meet her and work out!
they have babysitting at her place and she says her gym is 20 bucks a month ( which I dont believe , I think she is confused!) but if its 30 even 40 dollars, its worth it!

When I was thinking of joining curves, I was gonna try and get there at 4:30 ( have the baby home with me during the day) and I have to be at work at 5, I would have asked my job to let me come in at 6. But noww I can go work out at 1 during her lunch hour bring my sona nd keep my hours, all for less than curves (or perhpas the smae price) either way, it works out great!
Money is tight right now so Ill ride out my ballys 8 week gig then use her gym!




Valentine, I absolutely agree with you about curves, which is why I ended up leaving, I predict this will be a problem for that company. they are gonna have to come up with second year/third year program! However, I love the people that work there! It is sooooooo personal and not so institutional like many gyms. They had me there! and I have heard many other says they like their curves.




mary liz.............. you doing 06 marathon? Dont stop working out! I am about 30 away from goal myself!
Like I told valentine the curves program is weak.... it gets boring fast and although it does work you build your tolerance quickly. Take the advice you gave me TRY ANOTHER GYM. and if your doing the 06 1/2 then you have something yet again to look forward to we may have even more wishers going!


kepp in touch with me, let me know what you decide.


renee

 

[AprilN]

Obviously, the best exercise program (for anyone) is the one you can commit to. If you feel that Curves isn't working for you, it will certainly be harder to stay commited to the workouts. Finding workouts that you enjoy and will make the time to do regularly is the most important issue.

For me, however, after 17 months, Curves is still working great! I still go 3x a week (as I have since the beginning), and I definitely sweat a bunch and finish exhausted but feeling great. And I'm still losing inches, weight, and body fat! I always push myself really HARD on all the machines (to the point of muscle exhaustion on most machines after the 30 seconds), and then jog in place on the recovery squares to keep my heart rate up. I've also started concentrating on contracting my abs on all the machines as well, to work my core as well as the target muscle group for each machine.

Of course, Curves isn't my only workout, as I also run in the mornings and take a weekly bike ride, but it is my only resistance workout, and I believe my muscle definition shows that Curves can be as effective as a conventional workout. It has helped me train to run two 10K races as well! And I love the atmosphere, and the convenience of a 30-minute workout that starts the minute I walk in the door - no waiting for machines to come available, no waiting around for a class to start, and no men!

As I said before, the best exercise program is the one that you can commit to - I just wanted to speak up as someone who still finds Curves to be a great workout. Good luck with your decision!

 

[wiskband]

WOW! what a day I went to ballys and then to my friends gym. We had planned on working out together each day at 1 oclock but turns out her gym does not have babysitting at this time bummer. nor do I like there day care room.
Its closed in like a dungeon. No windows, kinda creepy!
Anyway, ballys seemed nice and they have a pool. I am going run out my free 8 weeks and then see how it goes.

anyway thanks again all.
renee

 

[gingerbug]

Have you tried Contours Express? It's also a women's 30 minute workout but with actual weight machines not hydraulics. Better workout, real strength training, real results. Combine it with a sensible diet and you'll be at your goal in no time. The best part is the workout grows with you as your fitness level improves. Just add more weight to your workout.

Check it out.