Saturday, September 6, 2008

Hawaiian trip may be won for weight loss

Duane Barbati News-Bulletin Staff Writer; dbarbati@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas Raymond Segura decided he wanted to lose something on purpose. Actually, Segura never wanted it.

He wanted to lose the weight he had gained over the years. After losing 57.4 pounds in the nationally run Weight Loss Challenge, Segura is in the running for a free vacation trip to Hawaii.

"I am excited about being in first place for the trip," Segura said. "I hope that I win it. My wife and I could use a vacation."

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He said he is being optimistic about winning the trip.

"I haven't thought about what the first thing I would do on the trip would be," Segura said. "I really don't know. I don't want to get my hopes up until the contest is over in December."

He lost the weight through a 12-week health and nutrition program offered by Corinne Gallegos. The program teaches proper eating habits and exercise to lose weight in a class setting. The classes Segura attended were held at the Daniel Fernandez Youth Center in Los Lunas.

Every Saturday at 3:30 p.m., the 21 participants learned about the importance of protein, body composition, nutrition labels, sugar, good and bad fats, fiber, exercise and stress. The class started on May 31 with 38 people in the class.

"It usually happens that some people don't finish the program," Corinne Gallegos said. "We try to document people's weight loss at every class session and encourage them to continue to follow the program."

The program cost $39.99, with cash prizes for the biggest loser, second, third and fourth place weight losers. The money from the cash prizes comes from the enrollment fee for the program, sponsored by an herbal supplment company. Participants entering the Hawaiian Getaway contest paid an additional $10.

Segura was awarded $425 for being the biggest loser for the Weight Loss Challenge.

"I lost the weight with motivation, a lot of hard work and following Gallegos' program," Segura said. "I learned a lot from the classes."

He said he lost the weight by taking an herbal supplement, eating healthier and exercising five times a week.

"I exercise with my daughter," Segura said. "We walk or jog about three miles a day. You have to change your lifestyle to lose the weight and keep it off. It's hard to lose weight. It takes time to make progress and lose the weight."

Corinne Gallegos said she is always amazed by the change in people's atitudes after they've lost some weight.

"I like working one-on-one with the people," Gallegos said. "I love to see the changes in them. They begin to laugh and smile again after losing some of their weight."

Roberta Maes, who lost 34.8 pounds, came in second place and won $255 for her weight loss.

"I walk two miles four times a week," Maes said. "I also work out with an exercise videotape. I wasn't happy before taking the class. Now I know I am on a lifestyle change and happy about it."

Carole Allison and Mary Carlson attended the class at the same time and continue to exercise together everyday.

"We exercise about five times a week together," Allison said. "We use a dance videotape and walk. The program teaches people to eat healthy and exercise to lose weight and keep the weight off."

Allison lost 27.4 pounds and Carlson lost 15.2 pounds during the 12-week program.

"I just needed something to keep me focused to lose the weight," Carlson said. "When you have support from other people and are held accountable, you can lose the weight. I just wanted to be healthier."

For more information about the program, call Corinne Gallegos at 839-1243.

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