BALTIMORE -- An exercise and weight loss program is catching on in the Baltimore area -- but can it help you lose weight?

Those who participate in Curves call it a fast and fun workout. It's an exercise and weight-loss program especially designed for women, 11 News reported.

WEIGHT LOSS WEEK July 14 - 18, 2003 Monday 'Curves' Tuesday '3-4-5 Total Fitness' Wednesday Dr. Paul Revis' Plan Thursday Starch-Blocker Diet Friday Johns Hopkins Plan How Do You Lose Weight?

"I hated exercise but I am motivated. I lost 19 inches [and I'm] down to 27½ inches," Curves patron Carol Finkelstein said.

Owner Artha Groves called Curves fun, fast fitness.

"You're in and out in 30 minutes and you've done all three components to fitness, you've done your strength training, you've done your cardiovascular and you've done your flexibility," Groves said.

Curves is a circuit workout where you can start anywhere you want and at each stop, you do just 30 seconds.

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Old, Young Change Exercise Stations In 'Curves'

While Curves offers nutrition supplements, an eating plan and a book, it is the fast-paced 30 minute total workout that seems to attract a lot of women.

"Thirty minutes, you're in and out. No sticky gyms, no treadmill, just women, [it's] very comfortable," Finkelstein said.

"Here it's like every 30 seconds you move to another machine, [it] moves along fast," Linda Edwards said.

"It's fun, I'm convinced that lots of people come in to dance for a half hour, it's great fun," Linda Rubel said.

Dr. Brian Crites, a sports medicine specialist at the University of Maryland, told 11 News that the American College of Sports Medicine recommends three sessions of light to moderate aerobic conditioning, 30 minutes a session. So he said it meets that requirement.

Old, Young Change Exercise Stations In 'Curves'

Many people want to lose weight, but not everyone finds success. Have you found success? If so, how? What would you suggest?

Be sure to tune in to WBAL-TV 11 News at 5 all this week for the next Weight Loss Week story!

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