Women’s Gym Member Success Stories

Contours Express has changed my life in so many ways.  October 6, 2006 was the beginning of the rest of my life.  I am a 47-year-old mother of two beautiful children.  My daughter, who was 12 years old at the time, was tired of watching me struggle with a severe weight problem.  This problem became so extensive to the point where my family doctor said within 5 years I would have suffered a heart attack due to my massive obesity.  My daughter then told me she wanted me to watch her grow up and have grandchildren and enjoy them.  She was and still is my best friend and my guardian angel that saved my life.  She also was following in my footsteps continuing the wrong eating habits that I have formed.  Online in her room she took it upon herself to find a way to help us both.  She found a weight loss center that taught you how to eat healthy and was a support group.  That night she took my arm, which I was fighting her all the way, and told me we were going to the meeting.  I told her there was no chance, no hope, that I was too far gone.  No chance to be a normal person again.  The reality was when I weighed in that night I realized I was over 400 lbs and not believing I could be happy again.

A few months later, my daughter and I had started losing weight by eating healthier foods.  Both my daughter and I were doing great. I decided I was breathing well enough to introduce some exercise in my routine.  A few months later, in May, a flyer came in the mail advertising Contours Express a gym just for women.  This advertisement was introducing a Mother’s Day Special, which was just what I was looking for.  I was hoping no one would judge me at my size and the fact of not knowing if I could fit on any of the equipment that Contours Express had, I called that day.  A wonderful, kind woman answered the phone and I explained my story and without hesitation she told me to come in that day to talk and that exercise would finish my journey.  When I walked in I knew it would be my second family.  They were all kind and eager to help every step of the way.  For months I couldn’t fit on everything but I came in to Contours Express not once but sometimes twice a day for 2 years to strive to overcome this battle.

Contours Express, the staff and the owner Pam Darby, have never failed me.  I still ask questions, need help and continue my struggle everyday.  I have lost 280 lbs in 2 ½ years and with my daughter by my side has lost 117 lbs.  She along with Contours has been my strength, and has saved my life.  I now can begin living the rest of my life.  I will never stop exercising at Contours Express.  I have realized the food struggle goes up and down but by exercising at Contours I can hold my weight at my desired will. 

I want to thank everyone at Contours Express.  To anyone woman thinking about what gym to join and looking for a comfortable place where you will not be judged, please take my advise and go talk to someone at Contours Express!!!

Thanks to everyone!!!

Debbie S.

Willoughby, Ohio

I can’t believe how much Contours Express has changed my life!  I became a member in December of 2005, after three and a half years of trying to conceive a child.  My husband and I were starting to lose al hope after many doctor appointments and fertility specialists.  I knew I needed to try and do everything I could to have the family we both dreamed of.  A friend of the family told me about Contours opening right down the street from us.  I was never one to be comfortable with going to a gym to work out, in fear of “standing out” or being laughed at.  She begged me to come in and talk to the owner.  As soon as I entered the building, I instantly felt welcome! I couldn’t believe the diversity in the clientele that was exercising…and enjoying themselves!!!!  There were women of all ages and sizes, working at their own pace.  I signed up that day and had no idea how much that would change my life!  I began to feel the “energy” that other people who exercise would talk about.  My doctor was thrilled I joined and with the progress I was having.  In August of 2006, just 9 months after I joined Contours, I became pregnant with our beautiful daughter, Olivia Grace.  I will forever be grateful for that friend that introduced me to Contours Express.

Believe it or not, there’s more!  After I had my daughter, I continued to exercise and I started to take my sister with me.  She has MS (multiple sclerosis) and it started to attack her brain, affecting her short-term memory.  Unfortunately, she has had to move in with our parents and needs guidance with simple tasks.  Her neurologist wanted her to start to lose weight and exercise, before her limbs were more seriously affected.  The doctor was ecstatic about her joining Contours with me.  She has lost over 20 inches and her flexibility is so much greater then before!  My sister and I are excited to get out of the house and exercise!  Something I never thought I would say!

There is definitely more to my story then just pounds and inches I have lost.  What I gained by being a member is incredible!  The self confidence that my husband sees in me again, the energy I have to play with my two year old, the friendships of the people I have gotten to know and the chance to help my sister that is battling a debilitating disease.  I just reached a new milestone last week, 70 inches lost!  I never could have done that without the support I have been given by the owners and other members at Contours Express, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for changing my life!

Mary S.

Eastlake, Ohio

My life has changed in many ways since joining Contours Express. Not only have I learned how important exercise is as I grow older, I now realize it has to be a way of life.  I love Contours Express because the staff has always been there for me, the atmosphere is easy-going and friendly and the support from other members is something I have never experienced before. Contours Express has truly changed my life.