Hello, I'm Natalie and Curves has been a part of my life off and on for nearly 8 years. My initial reason for joining was to lose weight, however, I soon realized there was so much more to Curves than the 30 minute work out. I had been obese since birth and knew that someday those extra pounds would catch up with me. When my 68 year old grandmother passed away due to complications from a lifelong battle with weight, I knew then I did not want to end up so unhealthy and unfit like her. I decided to proceed with gastric bypass surgery in July of 2007 and along with regular workouts at Curves, I am well on my way towards my goal weight. Even though I had surgery, I still follow the weight management program (I especially love the recipes). My Curves family (trainers and members) have been so supportive and encouraging since my surgery. I don't regret my decision for surgery and I could not have been so successful without Curves being a part of my life. Curves encourages a healthy way of life and I feel great. Thank you Enumclaw Curves!

Today I weigh 167 lbs and my body fat had dropped by 9.2%. I am so thankful that 37 months ago I gave myself permission to do something for myself. My husband was in the hospital suffering from heart disease and complications for diabetes. I knew he was on his deathbed. Doctors had told us that there wasn't much they would be able to do for him. I knew if I didn't do something to make myself feel better I would be right along side him. So I walked in to Enumclaw Curves on December 22, 2005 and signed up. At the time I weighed 243 lb, gaining almost daily and I really didn't care about my weight. I said I didn't really care if I lost weight or not, I just wanted to turn my endorphins loose because they were supposed to make you feel better. When I weighed in, I told her I didn't want to know the number of my BMI. In fact, I insisted she black it out on my printout because I knew it would only depress me more and I wasn't in need of any more negatives in my life. I didn't even weigh regularly. I just made it a priority to go at 6:00 AM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I would have gone every day but they weren't open that early any other day. After working out in the morning, I would leave and head to the hospital in Seattle to spend the day with my husband. (I went the other days also but no workout). My Walter passed away in March and I just continued going three days a week. It had become a habit and it started to feel like home to me. Then I finally figured it out that as long as I'm doing this I really should start to work on my weight. Years ago I had lost weight with weight watchers and I knew I could do that along with my Curves and lose some of my extra lbs. That helped and I started losing weight and started feeling better. Not only healthier, but also about myself. I'm getting closer to my goal weight. I still have to lose more, but I'm sure I'll get there.

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."