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Permanent Results
Thursday, July 5, 2007
By: Irene Ridgway
Patient Story
I joined Curves on April 20, 2001. By the end of the first training, I knew I had found what I had been looking for all my life.
But fate stepped in on May 24, 2001, my 49th birthday. I fell, shattering my left elbow, breaking my arm in four places, fracturing and dislocating my left shoulder. I also fractured all my ribs on the right side and sprained my ankle. The injuries set me back six years, to when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and SLE Lupus. So, back to square one.
We contacted Curves and the next day, I received a call and flowers from the owner. I was placed on medical leave. Six months later, due to a non-union join of the bone, they rebroke my arm and grafted bone from my hip to repair it. Every month, Curves came to me or called to keep in touch.
One year later, I was still on medical leave. As depression set in, so did the weight. In July of 2002, I weighed 275 lbs. I was anxious to return to Curves, but infection set in, this time attacking my kidneys.
Finally, in March of 2003, I got the OK to return to Curves. Barb Moore, the manager, had never forgotten me, and welcomed me back as her sweat sister. We started slow, being careful not to cause any re-injuries.
By this time, I had lost approximately 10 lbs. by starving. I was taught to set reasonable goals. With a sensible diet and exercise, the weight and inches slowly started to fall off. Each month brought joy and sometimes sadness, but always a big hug.
In September of 2003, I was hired as a trainer at our local Curves and decided I wanted to set an example as to what Curves could do. I thought I would inspire my sweat sisters, but it was they who inspired me. We are truly a sisterhood.
The changes are amazing: 100 pounds, 11 dress sizes, 3 ring sizes, 2 shoe sizes and 1 eyeglass size. The best is the glow inside and out—to be alive. Medically, I have gone from 1000 mg of pain medicine to 100 mg, from 200 mg for stress to 50 mg, and from 250 mg for sleep to 25 mg. My fibromyalgia and SLE Lupus are in check.
I feel blessed to have found this program. I told my beautiful, supportive husband, that this time when I reach goal, I am going to dress like a yo-yo, pull a string over my head and hold scissors, cutting the string. Snap a picture showing “No more yo-yo diets.” Permanent results, without permanent dieting.
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