Every Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m., you are sure to spot five fabulous Curves women enjoying post-workout coffee and conversation at a Starbucks in Richmond, Virginia. It is a ritual that these women, who refer to themselves as the “Fabulous Five,” look forward to all week. The ladies range in age from their early 60s into their 70s, and they have Curves to thank for their wonderful friendship. As each of them went around the circuit at their local Curves branch, they struck up conversation and got to know one another. While Connie, Joan, Marie, Linda and Vivian have some things in common, it is their differences that are at the center of their bond. Some have relocated to Richmond from a lifetime in the North, while others were born and bred in the South. As they discussed their different regional cultures, they realized that they all shared a passion for good food and decided to start getting together for meals at local restaurants and at one another’s homes to share favorite recipes. All of the ladies have children and grandchildren nearby to keep them busy, but they still look forward to their weekly coffee, where they can relax together and have a good time. They have even taken a road trip together for an overnight stay at a beach house, where they laughed and talked into the wee hours of the night. Of course these ladies are fabulous -- they have Curves to thank for their good health and good friends! Look for them working out at the Short Pump Curves wearing their new “Fabulous Five” t-shirts and having as much fun as ever! The Fabulous Five by Tracey A. van Marcke

February 11, 2003 is the day that Irene Wanner changed her life. She was overweight at 230 pounds, had bad knees and was using a cane for support. Her doctor told her that she would have to lose some weight and get her blood pressure down before she could perform knee surgery. Her doctor gave her the name of a local diet clinic, but the thought of getting on yet another diet did not appeal to Irene. Then she remembered a friend telling her about Curves. She joined immediately! After three months she was losing weight and her knees began to feel a lot better. She continued to lose weight after she joined the Six Week Solution Class. It has been four years since Irene never did have to have that knee surgery. In fact, she hung up her cane for good!

Tracey Toltl didn’t like the woman who stared back at her from the mirror each day, so much so that she eventually stopped looking. Her mother struggled with diabetes, high blood pressure, and more, and Tracey knew she was headed in the same direction unless she took control of her health. That, and Curves’ TV commercial, motivated her to join. Before long, she was happy to see herself not only reflected in the mirror but also in the eyes of others.