Henderson / Las Vegas

Member Since March 2008

My Story
On May 14th, 2007 my life, as I knew it, changed forever. No more planning vacations and weekend getaways and worst of all, no one to hold my hand. I found my husband Tony dead in the garage. He had a severe heart condition and had suffered with it for almost eight years. He never complained about how ill he was and never spoke about the inevitable. I could go on an on about him but this little story is about me.

I did not take his death well and still don't. I cried - I moped - I did nothing but wallow and, of course, eat. One day, I ran into someone who came from New York and we started to talk about missing certain foods. One of my favorites was Dunkin Donuts. She told me that one had opened on Silverado Ranch. So off I went to find my most favorite of donuts - the Jelly Stick! Oh glorious day Dunkin Donuts!! I have the worst sense of direction. I rode down the street and turned into the first shopping center I came upon. I rode round and round and still could not find it. All of a sudden, I spotted an over-the-door sign and it said "Curves". They must have had a pormotion going on because there had been quite a lot of commericals on the television. I don't know why but I gravitated to it.

I walked over, opened the door and was greeted with a big smile and a wonderful hello. I do not know how to explain it but I felt at ease and at home. I haven't felt that someone was glad to see me since I walked into Toys-R-Us with my grandchildren by my side! There was so much going on - women at the machines and the festive wall decor along with the ladies just chatting back and forth made me feel safe. I don't know if that is the correct word but I felt that I would never be alone anymore. They do nutty things and have silly competions and there is so much going on all the time. MOst of all, we care about one another.

I am amazed at how hard all the staff works. It just isn't the endless paperwork that they must do but the camaraderie, the urging on to accomplish things - they are the cheerleaders taking us down the road of recovery. My applause and thanks to the owner, Linda. She puts in countless hours and always knows who did what. We can get to be a rowdy bunch sometimes.

Hopefully soon, I will get down to starting the weight loss part of the program. I have come a long way but I haven't all at the same time. I have built my cocoon of fat all around me to keep out the demons. Little by little, I am giving up the ongoing sadness I feel. All I need is someone to hold my hand!!