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| Dear Debra, Just wanted to let you know that I recently purchased your "Shapely Girl" exercise video (from Collage Video), did it for the first time on Monday, and really enjoyed it. I've been an on-and-off exerciser for years, and am pretty out of shape, so the video was really just right - challenging enough, but not too horrible! I actually felt good afterward.
Thank you for developing and producing such an excellent program. I also want to point out specifically how much I appreciate the tone of the video. All too often, gym classes and videos geared toward so-called beginners can be a little patronizing/condescending, and your program isn't like that at all. It's also been a (psychological) challenge for me to balance improving my body, yet accept my curves. Note that I'm 5'4" tall, weigh about 160 lbs., and wear a size 12-14; I have two children, and my midsection is pretty much shot.
Little by little, I plan to get back on the fitness track. Though you don't know me, I feel like you and the other Shapely Girls are cheering me on in spirit!
All the best, |
| M. Brooks (Albuquerque, NM) |
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| I just tried your Let's Get Moving! DVD and I absolutely love it! Thank you so much for making this program! I heard on the forum at Collage Video that you have other DVDs in the works. What will they be like? I'm hoping you'll post details on your website even before they're available. I have one request. I would love to see an aerobic weight training program next - easy to follow choreography while using hand weights. I'm concerned about losing muscle when I lose weight (not just fat) so would really love to see hand weights as part of your next program! |
| C. Caldwell (Campbell River, Canada) |
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| Hi Deb,I think you try to teach women self-love and self-acceptance - which is a very difficult area for us "shapely girls" to wrap our minds around. The media encourages self-loathing in "shapely girls," as we are constantly bombarded with the message that we are not healthy, beautiful or desirable if we're not thin. You dispel these negative messages while encouraging us to exercise and get healthy. You offer a tremendous amount of hope and provide tools to get healthy and improve our lives.Of course, this is particularly timely with the rise in obesity. |
| Lynn (Casselberry, FL) |
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| I recently received your DVD from Collage video -- WOW! What a great workout! You've got a real winner there, and I certainly hope you plan to make more! It's easy on the knees, but you've got some challenging moves in the workout - I love it! |
| Bernadette (New Jersey) |
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| "Debra. I didn't realize my email would reach you personally. The second DVD is
quite amazing and I am writing a "Dear Debra" diary that reflects the daily
changes I see in my body as a result of your work-outs. You are the key to
my success. I'm 55, soon to be divorced and have lost 35 pounds. Your
encouragement, motivation and ability to convey to women who have given up
on themselves is a blessing and I thank you. I am seeing the transformation
that you talk about and I never thought it was possible.Thank you again and please try to get on some of the t.v. shows to spread
your magic to others." |
| Robin (Philadelphia) |
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| "Debra, thank you for answering my question about the difference between the new DVD and your original one. I can't tell you how much you have changed my life. Until your first DVD there wasn't anything available that I could keep up with and see results. I've been on Nutrisystem for a few months and between that program and your work-out, I'm losing weight and seeing changes in my body that I never thought possible. I'm physically stronger and getting more fit each week. There is a population out there that needs you and doesn't know about you. It would be great if you could create more publicity for yourself, if you can handle it. I'm sure you're very busy with all the attention you've been getting but we need more Debra!!!" |
| Robin (Philadelphia) |
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| "I am so excited about your Lets Get Moving DVD! I can’t believe it: I feel like you are talking right to me! For years I have struggled with my weight and yes, I have always known that exercise is key to not only weight loss but also weight maintenance. We all know these things but yet, something has always stopped me from actually DOING it. I realize that so much of my unwillingness had nothing to do with an inability and everything to do with needing to finally really believe that as you say, “fitness comes in many sizes!”People say that larger women just don’t care about the fact that they aren’t fit but we know that isn’t true. We just need a safe place, someone like you, with your amazing and motivating workouts that seem tailored just for me: a larger woman who DOES care about being healthy and happy and satisfied my body, my curves. I love the upbeat music: I can say that I have fun doing your workouts! Wow, I have never said that about exercising before. For the first time I am feeling truly motivated and excited and I credit you and your workouts and your inspiring story of your own struggle with weight and health. It takes courage to not only overcome such challenges but to then share your story and help others like me, I truly feel like I am not alone. My only question is: when are you going to make another one? I can’t wait!" |
| Karen (Lansdowne) |
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| "First, about you -You have created an amazing, unique, special, important product that people are in NEED of - there is NO OTHER like you. You MOTIVATE like no other, you are strong, you make people believe in themselves, you allow people to have confidence in themselves, you are REAL - you have been in these women's shoes, so you KNOWWW where they are coming from. YOU will be able to deliver the message that MILLIONS of women NEED to hear. YOU are the one that can inspire.About the DVD -The moves are simple, the work is hard, we can follow from our own living room. Your speaking during the video will keep the people moving and not sitting back down on the couch. The intensity scale gives us something to measure the work against. The circle time creates community and comfort and is extremely informative." |
| Laurie (Philadelphia) |
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| "Twelve years ago, I weighed 270lbs. and was squeezing into a size 24. I felt
disgusting and hopeless. I joined the local woman's gym with a friend and began
to take Deb's classes. After one month, I lost 7lbs and became motivated to
lose more. I continued to take Deb's classes and incorporated other classes as
well and soon the weight began falling off. I began to realize that while I'll
never be a size 6 or 8, I can like myself at a size 14. Debra became my
personal trainer and soon I was down to a size 12 - losing about 100 lbs. I was
so excited and was able to keep this weight off for about 5 years.Then I suddenly lost my sister and began to fall back into unhealthy habits, which caused me to gain 50lbs.After about a year of this weight gain, I began to do Deb’s DVD again and was able to lose 15lbs. But I still struggled with emotional eating so I hired Deb again to help. Through nutrition counseling, personal training and inspiring strategies and her techniques dealing with emotional eating, Deb helped me lose another 15lbs. I am now 20lbs away from my goal.What I like most about Deb's program: Her ability to understand the struggles of overweight women and her sincere efforts in motivating them to become healthy. She helped me realize that I can have power over my eating and exercise is a huge factor in feeling good about myself. Her positive spirit plays an important part in keeping me motivated. Most importantly, she taught me that I can feel good, confident and sexy at a size 14!" |
| Lisa (Philadelphia) |
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| “Dear Debra. You seem to be a dream come true. After going to your website I knew this was what I was looking for. Your personality came right through. |
| It was wonderful chatting with you recently. I am so scared and so exhilarated at the same time. You are truly so inspiring. Your message was very loud and clear, because you spoke from your heart as only someone can when they have experienced obesity. You said, “Dig deep inside yourself and you can become the you, you want to be”. Inspiring words. So easily said. But those giant sized words take great action. I am ready! Just hearing you talk about the virtues of fruits and vegetables. And the goodness of moving even for a simple 15 minutes. It sounded like heaven - or was it hell? |
| How many times have I been at this point in a diet program? At the start, standing on the top of a mountain and stretching for the stars, or at least a new slimmer body. There were all those hopes, dreams and promises pinned on the Atkins low carbohydrate diet and the famed Scarsdale diet, Jennie Craig, Weight Watchers, or the diet pills, injections and the famous Oprah liquid diet. My soul is crying for fairness and stamina. I’m chanting over and over again, “I will do this for me, this time and I will get to the finish line, and this time life will cooperate”. It is no wonder I am SCARED. |
| After my husband decided to reside at a different address, my life changed again and I ate my way into oblivion. My mom and sister were concerned, so they made me see a surgeon about a by-pass procedure or a rubber band. I prayed day and night for an alternative knowing I did not want to do this but I was at the end of my rope. There was no place else to go. It was my last resort. I could no longer live and carry all this
ugly fat around anymore. My obesity put my health in danger. Sometime in July my husband and I reached a settlement and after a year of indecisions, my attitude seemed to revert back to the place were I was safe and secure. In a cocoon of positivity that brought me the success I enjoy in helping my clients feel as beautiful as they look. My passion
returned. I felt rejuvenated. I needed to be in that place badly. Then, call it divine intervention, Debbie Nigro walked into the salon and the sun shone brighter that day because hope was on the horizon. She offers an alternative to surgery; her name is Debra Mazda. |
| That was a few weeks ago and after our initial meeting at the taping last week, I am exhilarated. Armed with a new food plan and the “Mazda Method” this truly is the first day of the rest of my new slimmer life. My mantra is simple. I will be my perfect weight.” |
| Elle (New York) |
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| “Debra, it was such a wonderful serendipity to meet you yesterday! I feel as though a major connection occurred between my soul and my body. I have always loved working out, but felt that I’d never be good enough until I looked like a size 3 with NO CURVES! I woke up sore this morning- and it made my day!!! That’s how I know I did more than I usually do! I so want to take your classes, but it’s hard to come from S.Jersey in the evenings, and I am usually at my nursing job until 10 pm and my art job before then. So, thanks again for yesterday. Seldom in life do people take the time to thank others for anything; you really gave my soul a major boost; and I thought I was happy already!!!! Hope your day is as awesome as you!” |
| Lyn (New Jersey) |
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| “Hi Debra. Thanks for being so cordial and welcoming today. I really had a great time. If this is how fun you are to a complete stranger, I can’t imagine how fun it is when people REALLY get to know you all. I’ll be there next Saturday for sure!” |
| Kate (Philadelphia) |
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| “I just wanted to thank you for all your help and support that you giving me through this whole expreience.I never in a million years thought that i will be able to do the broard street run.But with your dedication to your group i was able to do it and finish. So I just want to thank you for all your support. Just taking your classes has help me a whole bunch in my daily life struggles.I feel so good,and relieved. So if there is anybody out there who think they can’t do it come out to Debra Mazda class and you will believe that all things are possible.” |
| Ronsheba (Philadelphia) |
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| “Debra, I saw you at the end of the run this morning-(I was on the bike) I should have said more—it was great you were there coaching and motivating along getting your people through to the end. BRAVO!! I attended classes with you when you had a studio (2nd floor) on 8th Street below Washington Ave. ( 15–20 years ago?) You were an awesome motivator then and I see you’re still at it.” |
| Molly (Philadelphia) |
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| “Dear Debra, I was inspired and impressed by your story. As an obesity researcher and clinician helping patients to lose weight, your leadership to overweight women who want to be fit is a great story to motivate all of us. All the best.” |
| Adam Gilden Tsai, MD
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine |
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| “I just wanted to email you and say thank you first of all for the wonderful dinner we had last night. I also wanted to thank you most importantly for giving me this opportunity to do something that I have always wanted to do and never knew where to begin. You have showed me where to begin and opened a door for me which I never thought would be opened. I love you for this. I can not wait for tomorrow even though I am scared to death I know this will be a great success.” |
| Rosina (Philadelphia) |
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