Curves Anybody?

I'm sorry, I know i've already posted once today but I have another question. I want to start exercising now, has anybody with a BMI over 65 every tried using Curves? I went to their center one day and saw everything was just out in the open in a circle and got intimidated and left. Can anybody make any other recommendations on exercises that I can do safely at my weight?

I do water aerobics at my Y. The class is pretty much all female, and our instructor had WLS herself a few years ago (she's at goal and works out about 10 times a week). I know it's intimidating, but I weighed 557 pounds when I went to my first class. I change at home before and wear clothes over my suit. I don't mind changing back into clothes in the locker room (and most locker rooms had curtained ares if you're shy). I bought a giant bath sheet towel and covered up with it to walk from the locker room to the pool. Once you're in the water, no one can see anything. The exercise itself is ideal for larger people. The water makes it easy on your joints, and the resistance provides a really good workout. if you take a Y class, the pool is usually closed to everyone but people in the class, so you don't have to face a bunch of kids. Morning/afternoon classes on weekdays work for that. I lost almost 50 pounds before surgery, and a lot of that was the water aerobics. I also swim laps. Lap swimming times are good because (again) no kids allowed. Also, all the other lap swimmers are so intent on what they're doing that no one looks at you. If you need a swimsuit, you can get a cheap one at sanctuarie.net or a nice/expensive one at makingitbig.com. Good luck

I hope this helps!! All I know is that you should hold your head high!! You are making choices to improve YOUR health. To improve YOUR life. I have never walked into a gym of any kind and did not feel intimidated. But, you have every right to be there!!!!! Also, Post as many times as you like. That's what we are all here for!!!

hi lurnia: i agree that you should post as often as you like. that's what we're all here for. i read your first post and am really sorry you're having such a tough time with your ins. most of this process is waiting. and it's the hardest part, too, for many of us. in my case the ins approval came with no delay but the psych who did my eval told me i was too depressed to have this surgery. WTF??? i was depressed because of my weight. (450) anyway. just know that you're not alone. it's called a journey because none of it happens quickly. there are many steps along the way and sometimes one of the steps takes longer than any reasonable person would expect it to take. as for your second post. i was at curves for six months after my atkins diet had stalled at an 80 lb loss. at that point i weighed about 370 and was trying to get off a plateau. i found curves to be extremely encouraging and that they modify for you if you're not able to do a set of exercises as demonstrated. the trainer was helpful. the manager was really nice. but in the end, i fell off the atkins plan and put all of my lost weight back on. that's when i decided i had to proceed with wls in order to save my life. hope this helps, lurnia. sometimes i get a *****atty but i really just wanted to welcome you aboard and wish you well. dorthe

While I whole heartedly agree with the others, I also understand exactly how you feel. My BMI was 69 before surgery and is 61 now. No way will I go to a gym or other facility right now. I have a hard enough time walking! My nutritionist suggested different exercise tapes/videos that can be done from a seated position, ankle weights, and water aerobics. Her opinion is exercise is exercise, whether seated, swimming, or a gym. I think I like her! I also went through the presurgery drama too, including 2 denials from my insurance company. It took me a year from consultation to surgery. Hang in there. It will happen! Post as much or as often as you need or want to. Someone here will always understand! Huggs, Ruth

I was 395lbs the day I first walked into Curves, at 69 BMI. I wondered too if the machines would hold me. Lucky for me that day, I saw another good sized gal, not as big as me mind you, but good sized nonetheless working out on the machines, and that made me a little more hopeful. During the tour/screening, I did ask the gal if the machines would hold me, and she said, absolutely yes! I started off slow. My main objective was to get on and off the machines without breaking me or the machine. Once I mastered that, I concentrated on working the machines properly. Once that was mastered, I concentrated on working the machines hard. During this time, I went from walking on the recovery boards to marching and then to jogging. Once I had the working out hard and fast on the machines, and the jogging down, I worked on my posture. On each recovery board, I jog with my back straight, my shoulders back, my head up, holding my abs in, and remembering to breathe (an important issue!). It's just been over a year since I joined Curves. I've lost almost 100lbs with them (about 130lbs altogether). I've lost over 12 inches on my waist, and over 9 inches from my bust, and countless other inches elsewhere. The ladies there have always been so encouraging, and I often get alot of remarks commenting on how hard I work out. To be honest, I've been looking into more traditional gyms because I think Curves has lost its challenge for me. I understand you being intimidated, that's how I feel right now at the thought of actually walking into a regular gym. As of yet, all my research has been on the phone and online. As far as other options, there is a chair dancing video that you can get a pretty good workout with. Here is the link: http://www.chairdancing.com/ Another option is Walking Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone. Her DVD's have a 1 mile, 2 mile, and 3 mile option. Good luck, I hope you find something comfortable to start moving to. Mercy Lap Band 428/408/296/180

Hey, I just wanted to say that the chair dancing video mentioned above is wonderful. I was essentially wheelchair dependent pre-surg and post op the tape was great way to get started moving. Hugs, Lori D

Curves is WONDERFUL. I started going to Curves late Oct/early Nov weighing 412 lbs. I too was afraid that the machines wouldn't hold me. THEY ARE VERY STABLE. Don't worry about that. There may be a few machines that will give you trouble at first, but trust me.........even the skinny girls have trouble with some of the machines. Oh and did I mention at 412........I was going around 3 times....not just the 30 minute workout. If you can walk for 30 minutes you can do Curves because the workout is only going to be as hard as you make it. See if you can get one of those 1 week free memberships that they have from time to time and try it out.