If you've driven by a strip mall anywhere in America you have probably seen the women's gym called Curves, that offers a 30 minute 3 days a week solution to weightloss. Here's the breakdown on their program so you can determine if it's right for you.

The Curves Diet
This is a 3 phase program very similar to Atkins. In phase 1, which lasts two weeks, you restrict carbs to 20g a day to induce rapid weightloss. You eat unlimited amounts of protein including the curves protein shakes and unlimited amounts of free foods (most veggies and leafy greens). They do allow other types of protein shakes so you are not stuck buying their products. In phase 2 you increase carbs to 60g a day until you reach your goal weight. Phase 3 is the Metabolic Tune-Up where you eat normally and track your weight over a month to determine your high weight and your low weight. Women who have dieted all their lives and have a severly depressed metabolism actually start the program on Phase 3, eating more calories than they ever have in order to increase their metabolism for weightloss. Attempting to lose weight without doing this first is pointless, according to the Curves program, because dieting only slows down the metabolism further. This program also has two different diets, one for carb sensitive women, the other for calorie sensitive women. A simple quiz tells you which one you need and meal plans are included for both.

The Workout
Working out in the curves gym is simple. You do a full body circuit training workout that includes strength training, cardio, and stretching. The circuit includes one machine for each body part and recovery stations that you do in between. You start with any machine and do as many reps as you can handle with a challenging weight for 30 seconds. A recording tells you to move on to a recovery station for 30 seconds and then you move on to the next machine. You repeat the entire full body circuit 3 times and you're done. For example:

• Leg Extensions 30 sec. Recovery Station 30 sec.
• Leg Curl 30 sec. Recovery Station 30 sec.
• Chest Press 30 sec. Recovery Station 30 sec.
• Seated Row 30 sec. Recovery Station 30 sec.
• Bicep Curls 30 sec. Recovery Station 30 sec.
• Tricep Extensions 30 sec. Recovery Station 30 sec.

The Pros & Cons
If you are a sedentary woman who has never exercised or made an effort to eat right this program will work simply because you are doing something you have never done before. The curves workout is also a great option for women who want a comfortable, no frills, time efficient weightloss program. If you've been exercising regularly this type of workout program is not intense enough to break that plateau but the diet will be helpful. Two weeks on the metabolic tuneup can greatly increase your metabolism and prime your body to lose major weight on the carb restricted phase 1. One long term problem with this program is the lack of variety in exercises. If you continue to do the same thing for a long time eventually it will become a maintenance program landing you on a plateau. Overall it's a great program for beginners or those who are pressed for time but not for the more experienced exerciser.

Looking for a similar diet? Try the South Beach Diet. Are you stuck on a plateau? Try these plateau busting tips. Want more info on the Curves Concept? Check out Curves Website or Buy the Book