Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame. Erica Jong, Author

I cant believe that I turned 54 this week. I want to thank all of you who celebrated my birthday with me. We had a great dinner, great girls night out, great conversation and even a taste of cheesecake. But the best part was the love, warmth and friendship I have found with all of the CurvyGirls. It is not an exaggeration when I say that I actually feel better at this age than I did when I was 35. People ask me all the time where I get all of my energy from. I tell them feeling this good is what keeps me going. That and having the COMMITMENT AND DESIRE to keep healthy and fit. Thats the pact that I made with myself over 20 years ago. Women are constantly telling me how stressed and tired they are most of the time. In my teens and 20s I remember waking up daily not feeling good. My body ached, I had no energy and life seemed hopeless most days. I remember looking in the mirror some days wondering what I was doing with my life. When I started to exercise regularly I immediately began to enjoy the energy and natural anti-depressant that it gave me. Thats why I was intrigued recently, to see that medical science is studying the connection between fatigue and exercise. Ive attached the New York Times article about the study, which proves what I already knew from living it. Moving and breathing has kept me young and active. I value every day of my life. Maybe it is time for a NEW YOU. Exercise is the key, CurvyGirls. Start out slowly and see how great you feel. Debra ———————————————— February 29, 2008 The Cure for Exhaustion? More Exercise Feeling fatigued? (George Ruhe for The New York Times) When a person is sapped by fatigue, the last thing he or she wants to do is exercise. But new research shows that regular, low-intensity exercise may help boost energy levels in people suffering from fatigue. Fatigue is one of the most common health symptoms and can be a sign of a variety of medical problems. However, about one in four people suffers from general fatigue not associated with a serious medical condition. University of Georgia researchers decided to study whether exercise can be used to treat fatigue. The research, which appears in the February issue of the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, involved 36 volunteers who were not regular exercisers but who complained of persistent fatigue. One group of fatigued volunteers was prescribed 20 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise three times a week for six weeks. The second group engaged in low-intensity aerobic exercise for the same time period, while a third control group did not exercise. The study volunteers used exercise bikes that allowed the researchers to control their level of exertion. The low-intensity exercise was equivalent to a leisurely, easy walk. The more intense exercise was similar to a fast-paced walk up hills. Patients with fatigue due to serious medical conditions, such as those with chronic fatigue syndrome, werent included in the study. Both of the exercise groups had a 20 percent increase in energy levels by the end of the study, compared to the control group. However, the researchers found that more intense exercise isnt the best way to reduce fatigue. The low-intensity group reported a 65 percent drop in feelings of fatigue, compared to a 49 percent drop in the group doing more intense exercise. Too often we believe that a quick workout will leave us worn out especially when we are already feeling fatigued, said researcher Tim Puetz, who recently completed his doctorate at the university and is the lead author of the study. However, we have shown that regular exercise can actually go a long way in increasing feelings of energy particularly in sedentary individuals. Why exercise helps fatigue isnt clear, but Dr. Puetz said his findings suggest exercise acts directly on the central nervous system to increase energy and reduce fatigue. Notably, the improvements in energy and fatigue were not related to increases in aerobic fitness. A lot of people are overworked and not sleeping enough, said Patrick OConnor, co-director of the universitys exercise psychology laboratory. Exercise is a way for people to feel more energetic. Theres a scientific basis for it, and there are advantages to it compared to things like caffeine and energy drinks.

ShapelyGirl Cardio, Pilates Class Super Star Studios 3310 S 20th St Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.334.2214 This workout consists of: * 25 minutes Cardio * 25 minutes Pilates * 15 minutes Circle Time (open group discussion on Fitness/Nutrition/Motivation) followed up online at www.debramazda.com in the Community area of the website. All workouts are safe, fun, energizing, supportive and motivating. All levels welcome and no experience necessary. Do it at your own pacejust move and breathe. Debra wants you to succeed and get fit! No membership is required $10.00 per class

Meet Debra Mazda, Certified Fitness Trainer, Exercise Physiologist and creator of the CurvyGirl Workout, at Bally’s Center City location from noon – 2:00 PM. Debra will discuss fitness, nutrition and motivation with all guests. Location: Ballys Total Fitness 1435-1441 Walnut Street Drexel Building Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.564.2121

ShapelyGirl Cardio, The Total Body Workout Ballys Total Fitness 1435-1441 Walnut Street Drexel Building Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.564.2121 This workout consists of: * 45 minutes Low Impact workout * 15minutes Circle Time (open group discussion on Fitness/Nutrition/Motivation) followed up online at www.debramazda.com in the Community area of the website. All workouts are safe, fun, energizing, supportive and motivating. All levels welcome and no experience necessary. Do it at your own pacejust move and breathe. Debra wants you to succeed and get fit! No membership is required Non-members: $10.00 per class Ballys members: $7.00

…Without darkness Nothing comes to birth, As without light Nothing flowers. May Sarton, American Poet

Richard Simmons I have been in the Fitness and Health arena for over 20 years now. I started out with a desire to lose a lot of weight and get myself in shape. After my very first aerobics class I never looked back. What began as a means to get healthy evolved into my PASSION AND PATH IN LIFE. Very simply, I was hooked. But I want you all to know about a very important person who played an important role in helping me get there. His name is Richard Simmons. First he inspired me on TV, eventually I had the opportunity to work for him. Growing up as the FAT KID took a toll on my life. Throughout my childhood things were not good at home. And in the neighborhood I was always called names like big-boned and chubby. I would also hear YOU HAVE SUCH A PRETTY FACE, IF YOU WOULD ONLY LOSE WEIGHT. That sticks with me even today. Going into my teens was such a nightmare. I realize now that I was chronically depressed all of those years. I know people meant well but it still hurt to hear those words, YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT. Being a fat teen in a skinny world was horrible. I tried to make the best of it. I did have lots of friends and boyfriends and was always the life of the party. But even with all of that I still felt alone and really never fit in. There was always that part of me that knew that I would rise up and change my life. And thats what kept me going all those years. Every time I write, think or speak about my young adulthood, I can still see that 300-plus pound woman huffing and puffing her way through life. Eventually I came to believe that I might really die if I kept going that way. I remember feeling so desperate because all I knew how to do was diet. And like most women I had FAILED AT EVERY ONE OF THEM. So, out of the woodwork comes this funny, hilarious screaming in your face guy named, Richard Simmons. I followed him on TV for years – watched him faithfully on General Hospital and on talk shows. Yes, I also needed to be inspired and he did it. He not only inspired me, he inspired millions of women and men all over the world. He was my hero when I needed a boost. When I needed to be motivated he was there for me. I watched his show faithfully and between listening to him and hearing that voice inside of me saying, YOU CAN DO THIS, I began to move in the right direction. Years later, while living in Denver, Colorado and just starting out on my path, I saw a larger than life banner that said: RICHARD SIMMONS ANATOMY ASYLUM. I could not believe my eyes. Right around the corner from my house was going to be a workout center for his loyal followers that meant ME! I ran home to change, then down to the facility and met another person who helped change my life forever. Her name was Marianna Forsea. She was a woman who worked very hard and had become quite successful. She must have seen something in me because she offered me a job working for the man himself, Richard Simmons. I was speechless. Me? What did I know? Marianna eventually told me that the minute she saw me, she knew I had what it takes and I guess she was right. And then, yes, Richard himself took me under his wing. I became the Training Director for 5 of the Colorado Anatomy Asylums. I worked many long hours but loved the job. I loved the members and my staff. I wanted to go to work everyday. It was great! Later, when the centers closed I was offered a position at Richards new club in Beverly Hills. But as it turned out it was time for me to go back home. I wanted to get my education and that is what I did. There are days when I look at pictures from that time in my life and I think about Richard and Marianna, who both left a positive piece of themselves with me, and I get teary eyed. I feel honored and blessed to have had that time of my life because it is so connected to my work today. I wanted to try to speak to Richard and I e-mailed him recently. Yesterday when he responded I was so thrilled. I read the e-mail and got choked up. He is doing fabulously and so am I. He just turned 60 and I am 54 on Sunday. We both have a common bond to see people change their lives. We both preach the same message, EXERCISE IS A WAY OF LIFE. I hope that Richard Simmons and I cross paths in the very near future and I somehow think that will happen. And I am still listening to that voice that I heard over 20 years ago that has never let me down. Deb

Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed. Corita Kent, Artist, Social Activist