Local woman loses weight, wins $1,000

Losing weight for some, especially women, has never been easy. But, one woman in Pahrump took on the challenge and received international recognition for her undying determination to live a healthier life. Curves International runs its Sweetheart contest every year. Any woman who’s a member of Curves who has lost at least 25 pounds is eligible to enter the contest. Applicants must write an essay about their weight loss and maintain the loss for at least six months. Charyl Gallego knew she should apply for the contest. Gallego joined Curves more than a year and a half ago, weighing in at 350 pounds. Today, the scale puts her at 218 pounds. Out of the 8,000 locations across the country, Gallego was one out of seven women chosen to receive the Curves Sweetheart Award; she has been crowned West Curves Sweetheart. It is the first time someone from Pahrump has received the honor. Gallego was well deserving of the award, according to friend Peggy Classen. Because of her success, Gallego has been a motivator to the other women. Classen said she never saw someone work so hard to achieve a goal. Gallego has been an inspiration and a support to others trying to lose weight, Classen said. On Valentine’s Day, the most fitting day to honor someone for being an American Sweetheart, Curves women gathered in the workout room and surprised Gallego with flowers, balloons, a tiara and a check for $1,000 from Curves International. “It’s a special award. It truly is,” Classen said. Gallego’s boyfriend, Greg Thompson, was in the crowd, waiting for his sweetheart of eight years come through the door and receive her award. Classen handed the goodies over to a surprised and tearful Gallego, who was even more shocked to see Thompson with a camera.

"You kept a secret?” she asked him with even more surprise. Classen read aloud a letter from Curves International and choked back tears as she tried to finish the thoughtful and inspiring letter. Thompson said Gallego deserved the award because of the hard life she has had to endure from being overweight. Gallego took a moment to talk about her struggles with weight loss. She said because of her weight she never felt like she fit in or was accepted anywhere. Her essay to Curves International focused on Gallego’s weight problem she lived with for most of her life and the hardship she endured because of it. “I’ve been heavy all my life,” she said. Indeed, since early childhood Gallego’s self-esteem was negative and that self-criticism seeped into adulthood. Motherhood has helped her gain confidence. She’s raising three boys and will soon help take care of her boyfriend’s son. “I never really liked the way I looked. Growing up and everything I never liked the way I looked,” she said with a grimace on her face, as if reliving the past caused physical pain. When Gallego applied for the contest, she had lost close to 130 pounds and had kept it off, and then she shared her success in a compelling essay. “I didn’t think I won.” She said. “I even told my boyfriend I didn’t lose the weight to win. I lost the weight because I wanted to lose (the weight).” Gallego knew a year and a half ago that she needed to make a change for the better. She had already lost 75 pounds before joining Curves, but wanted to join a gym for tone and shape. With hard work and determination, the pounds started to shed and Gallego’s self esteem started to rise. “It feels wonderful. It’s a big change. I feel better about myself,” she said. Gallego said when she looks in the mirror these days she sees a completely new person. The women at Curves had Gallego hold up her old pair of pants. “You can fit a whole other person in there,” a woman murmured from the back. That’s how much progress Gallego has made. Although Gallego is approaching two years with Curves, losing weight is a day-by-day battle. “It’s always been a struggle and it will continue to be. I still have 70 more (pounds) to go,” she said. Even with the uphill battle ever present, Gallego can lean on others for help. “With the support of people here, you can do just about anything,” she said, singling out Thompson as her “pillar of strength.” It was fitting Gallego received her award – and the $1,000 check – on Valentine’s Day. The money will be used to help pay for the couple’s wedding this spring.