by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Aghavni Boatright is a new woman – not because of a new wardrobe style, a fresh haircut or even a religious awakening. She is a new woman because she literally has a new body.
After 12 months of working out at the Downtown Curves, the 30-year-old Downtown employee has lost nearly 75 pounds and competed in the fitness center’s International Sweetheart contest for the title award. Aghavni attributes her success to Curves and considers her weight loss a miracle.
Curves, found in more than 42 countries throughout the world, is one of the largest fitness franchises in the world and the first fitness and weight loss facility to provide exercise and nutritional information exclusively for women. One of Curves’ signatures is the six-week solution, a series of small, intimate classes where participants follow a weight loss regimen.
Boatright says Curves’ workout design allowed her to fit in her exercise during her lunch hour.
“You see people on TV all the time who claim to have lost weight from this or from that,” she said. “I’ve tried the this and that and nothing worked for me. It wasn’t until Curves that I started to see a difference in my weight.”
Like most people, Boatright had always tried to make sure she was getting adequate exercise but her weight loss usually plateaued.
“I would lose 15 pounds and then that was it, my weight would just stand still,” she said, “And then I would become discouraged.”
Boatright was an employee in the Wachovia Building at the time she first paid Curves Downtown a visit. Her co-worker and friend mentioned the center’s newest location was across the street from the building and urged Boatright to visit it with her.
Having tried several methods of weight loss with no prior success, Boatright was a bit apprehensive, but agreed to go.
“At first I asked, ‘Is this really going to work?’” said Boatright.
That’s when Curves owner and former member Dawn Dowell – with a weight loss success story of her own – showed Boatright her “before and after” photos.
“Seeing her results (from Curves) motivated me,” said Boatright.
That’s when Boatright’s relationship with Curves began.
Three days a week on her lunch breaks, she would head over to the fitness center and work out.
“I live on the Southside and when I get off work, my day is done,” she said. “I want to go home, and it’s hard to get motivated to get dressed and go back out after you’re ready to relax. I liked knowing that three lunch breaks a week were dedicated to working out, and then it’s out of the way.”
Curves uses a 30-minute workout in a “circuit” that incorporates strength training and cardio by alternating stations. Each station has a different machine to target different areas of the body.
“It’s convenient and easy,” said Boatright. “Also, it’s nice knowing that there are only women there. They serve as a sort of support group. And you get to know them so well so that eventually these women are your friends, and you’re rooting for them and they’re rooting for you.”
Boatright said she has also modified her diet and that the combination of diet and exercise together helped her continue to lose weight. The Curves meal plan allows for five small meals a day rather than three large ones, to keep clients from feeling hungry.
“Now when people see me, they freak out,” she said, having dropped to a size six from a size 20. “They can’t even believe that I’m the same person.”
Boatright’s post weight loss benefits include more energy, less back and knee pain and plenty of confidence.
Dowell says Boatright is a shining example of how Curves can work for a person who is determined and motivated to do her best.
“I couldn’t ask for a better client, I’m very proud of her,” she said.
Boatright plans on continuing Curves regularly to maintain her weight loss.
For more information on
Curves Downtown, visit www.curves.com or call Dawn Dowell at 598-0650.
Curves Downtown
301 W. Bay Street, Ste. 280 • BellSouth Tower
Phone: 598-0650 • Manager: Tina Roberts
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 7-8 a.m.
Monday-Thursday reopen: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday Reopen: 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed