One month has passed since I started my weight loss journey, and I'm happy to report that I've lost three pounds and a total of six inches. Not bad for someone my age who has been inactive for a long time, huh? I've been following a nationally known weight loss program and I joined Curves for Women* in West Frankfort.

I had seen the Curves commercials and liked the idea of a fitness routine that took just 30 minutes per session. I had heard about Curves' circuit training approach, too, and wondered just how good of a workout it really was. Well, it's not just good, it's great!

After my first session I felt like I had worked out hard, but I didn't feel exhausted. Actually, I felt energized, and the next day I didn't feel sore, but I could "feel" my muscles.

According to Tracy Walker, owner of Curves in West Frankfort, the secret to the success of circuit training is the right balance of moderate aerobic movement and strength training.

You work the upper body on a hydraulic resistance machine for 30 seconds, then go to a recovery station where you can step in place or do some gentle movement for 90 seconds, then get back on the next machine to work the lower body for 30 seconds. After three times around the circuit and a cool-down period of stretching afterwards, only thirty minutes have gone by. Not a bad investment of time for such a thorough workout.

"Strength training is what builds the metabolism, and because muscle draws from the fat stores to burn calories, it helps maintain weight loss," Walker said. "The fitness experts at Curves found that your muscles can sprint for 30 seconds before they wear out."

"It takes 90 seconds for them to recover, and then you're ready to move on to working muscle again. And since you're working against your own resistance on the hydraulic resistance machines, the harder you work, the more you'll get out of it."

Another thing I like about Curves is that it is for women only. I felt not the least bit of embarrassment as Curves fitness coordinator Nicole Watson took my body measurements, noted my weight, and measured my BMI or body mass index.

Yet another benefit is the personalized training by the fitness coordinators. Watson first demonstrated and then coached me through each hydraulic machine on the circuit to make sure that I was performing each exercise correctly.

Pat Brown, another fitness coordinator, advised me that I may lose inches before losing a lot of weight because muscle weighs more than fat. "Curves is an attitude," Brown said after giving me an encouraging hug. "It's a feeling of fitness that just happens."

"Suddenly, things that used to be hard to do will take no effort because you now have upper body strength," Brown said. "Also, you'll become more flexible. You just can't miss if you faithfully do the circuit three times a week."

So, going to Curves on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday has become my weekly schedule. I'm already feeling more energized, as well as more confident about eating healthy.

Here's a neat tip that I learned at the weight loss group I'm also a part of. Eating a variety of foods every day not only provides good nutrition, but also prevents the boredom that can lead to bingeing on unhealthy snacks.

Make several lists of foods according to different colors, such as red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, and white. My lists included tomatoes, apples, oranges, sweet potatoes, eggplant, turnip greens, wheat bread, carrots, green beans, squash, bell peppers, blueberries, raspberries, whitefish, chicken, steak, and even chocolate. You get the picture.

Put some variety on your plate and create a colorful "palette" for your taste buds. This strategy has been working very well for me when I go out to eat and especially when I eat at a buffet. I think it will come in handy during the holidays, too.

Next month I'll share some more of the tips I've learned for healthy eating and exercise. Best wishes to you on your own weight loss journey.

*For more information, visit www.curves.com.

Editors Note: 54-year-old Joanna Gray continues to chronicle her battle with weight loss, publicly, in the very pages of this magazine. Weight loss is never easy and though progress may be slow, we know Joanna is on her way to achieving her personal weight loss goals. We hope that reading about her journey inspires you to kick start your fitness program.