Gayle Valencia battle with the bulge

Gayle Valencia (remember her from Star Circle Batch 7?) would peer inside her closet and sigh. Her off-shoulder blouses, spaghetti-strapped T-shirts, mini-
skirts and body-hugging clothes are oh-so-tempting. But all she can do is sigh.

At 56 kg., the 23-year-old former commercial model can only look and stare.  She can’t wear those sexy outfits anymore and match her slimmer colleagues, pound for pound.

Gayle can only dream of the day when she’d lose 15 to 20 pounds (her target is four to five months) and wear those clothes again.

“I gained as much as 25 pounds because I’d compensate my lack of sleep as a nursing student doing internship in hospitals by going on an eating binge,” admits Gayle. 

One look at her, and her brother shakes his head. “You look like a boxer!” he jeers.

Hurt, Gayle knows she shouldn’t have indulged herself. Not only is the extra weight unflattering, it is most unhealthy.

Gayle may be too young to worry about her health. But as a nursing student, she is more health conscious than ever.

As a theater performer (for Pro.pro Productions), Gayle has another reason to be worried. Her fellow dancers can’t lift her up in the air in production numbers the way they used to. She’s already too heavy for that.

Besides, as a working student, Gayle can use the extra money she will earn in returning to modeling and acting jobs to finance her studies.

That’s why she joined the ongoing Del Monte Fit ‘n Right Got 2B Fit Challenge. The reality search, which is airing for four Saturdays, 9:30 to 10 p.m. on ABS-CBN starting last Feb. 23, is hosted by Mariel Rodriguez (who endorses Del Monte Fit ‘n Right together with Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez).

“I want to lose weight, yes. But I don’t want to resort to things that will put pressure on me,” says Gayle.

The search, she adds is just the right answer for her troubles. It aims to improve the contestants’ physical appearance, well-being and character. Various challenges will help them become fit, firm and feeling great.

Gayle is one of 10 contestants (five male, five female) who passed the grueling auditions which attracted thousands of wannabes. As contestants, all of them are eyeing the P500,000 cash prize, an ABS-CBN Star Magic management contract and a chance to be the next Del Monte Fit ‘n Right Ambassador at stake.

But first, each of them must pay his or her dues in the reality-based lifestyle and fitness show. Each will go through challenges that will not only test their endurance but will power and confidence as well.

The victors — one male and one female — will be proclaimed at the grand finals set in Boracay and aired as a one-hour special on March 29.

Gayle and the rest of her fellow contestants don’t know if they will bring home the bacon. The race is tough, and it’s too early to tell.

But win or lose, what matters most is that each of them will end up feeling more fit, more healthy, for meeting the rigors of every day, head on. That alone should make them feel like a winner.