Problem With Curves - Fundy Gives Millions ToMost Militant Anti Abortion

[otohara]

FOR WOMEN of a certain age, Curves -- a physical-fitness chain -- seems like a blessing. No men, no mirrors. No expensive membership fees, no complicated dance-step routines.

Just walk in and change into your frumpiest sweats. Get a 30-minute complete workout on a circuit of hydraulic machines, arranged in a sociable circle so you meet other women. Nothing to remember: A pre-recorded voice tells you when to switch machines and do aerobics on rubberized mats. Get dressed and you're out the door.

What's not to like? Curves is inviting, rather than intimidating. Unlike many gyms, Curves fitness outlets don't feel like "meat markets" or look like nightclubs. By offering easy and accessible exercise, Curves helps some 2 million overweight and overworked middle-age women lose weight, get fit and improve their health -- just what public-health officials hector us to do.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/29/EDGAB6C1IO1.DTL

[SeattleDem]

1. thanks for finding this

I have relatives that go there, so I forwarded them this article asap. I hope they and many others act on principle and stop supporting this business.

[BabsSong]

2. Damn--that's where I work out and I knew that the founder was

some born again type. I noted that the franchise I go to has these little religious sayings and a embroidered cross, etc. in their "weigh in" room (which I avoid like the plague). As a Christian I always thought that that was totally inappropriate for a place of business. I can tell you that this business is growing like weeds. We had one in the whole area a few years ago; now there's one on every corner!!!!!!

[DaveSZ]

3. You've got to hand it to the Fundies.

They're damn crafty.


:crazy:

:scared:

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. My niece used to work at one

in Stony Plain, Alberta.

She came down to visit last year when she had to make a trip to headquarters. Waco! Go figure! From then on, I've mentally blocked out all their ads, and ignored them completely.

You'll be pleased to know that she quit and is now working in a brand new tanning salon her mom and dad have opened in Stony! They've been open a month or so, and are going great guns. Thank goodness.

[progressivebydesign]

5. This is why I don't eat Dominos Pizza or HOt Pockets..

I don't support people like that, if I can help it. I never liked those santitized little ladies-only places... I just don't care about going into a coed place... I don't assume people are looking at me everywhere I go.

[fudge stripe cookays]

7. What's up with Hot Pockets?

I find them nasty and repulsive in every way; it's like heart attack in a crust. Doesn't even taste like real food in there anywhere.

Just interested in what you've heard.

[iverglas]

6. yuck, eh? (edited)

Alternatives -- another women-friendly place to go?

There's always the YWCA (say I, an atheist).

http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=btIRK9OXG&b=23378

http://www.ywca.org/atf/cf/{BD634CC7-502D-4CF7-86F2-54AFA4C3E5A2}/national_logo.gif

Who We Are
The YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. As a society, we've come a long way in eliminating racism and empowering women. But we have a long way to go.

http://www.worldywca.org/

The World YWCA

Unites 25 million women and girls in over 122 countries through 100 affiliated, autonomous national YWCAs.

Links thousands of local YWCAs whose programmes meet community needs identified by women.

Promotes women's full and equal participation at all levels of society through leadership opportunities and training.

Works for social and economic justice through development and advocacy programmes.

Mobilizes women's collective power for action on issues of vital concern: women's rights, human rights, peace, health and the integrity of the environment.

Bases its work on Christian ecumenical principles and welcomes women of all faiths.

And the fundies don't like it at all. ;)

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/may/03050606.html

LEADING PRO-ABORTION FEMINIST CHOSEN TO HEAD YWCA
<sic, of course>
Parents "should think twice about exposing" daughters to "morally corrupt" YWCA

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The YWCA has named one of America's leading pro-abortion feminist apologists, Patricia Ireland, as its new chief executive. The choice is said to reflect a desire to increase the "relevance" of the once-respected Young Women's Christian Association.

"This is just an irresistible opportunity," said the former president of the National Organization for Women. "In one sense, I'm diving back into the women's movement," she said. "The Y.W.C.A. has a certain amount of respectability that I would like to capitalize on. ... The Y.W.C.A.'s long history includes taking positions that were at the time very radical and distressful to the common culture."

On edit: yikes! Not being a local, I didn't realize that the US YWCA had since fired Ireland, presumably under pressure from "conservative religious interests". Once again, the US out of step with the world?

.