FITNESS PROFILE
Squash, weights are Shimooka's passions

A series of occasional profiles of fitness role models in our community.

Advertiser Staff

Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

AGE: 42.

PROFESSION: Television personality, media consultant.

HEIGHT: 5 feet 10 inches.

WEIGHT: 175 pounds.

WORKOUT HABITS: Squash three times a week, weightlifting at least twice a week, playing golf whenever I can.

GOOD FOODS/BAD FOODS: Good: Salads, chicken, raw fish, oatmeal, bagels, yogurt, some red meat, bananas, Power Bars. Bad: Tostitos, salami, any fast-food joint during a weak moment.

BIGGEST MOTIVATOR: For more than 20 years, living with the belief that "television adds 10 pounds." I'm over that now. As I get older, it's increasingly important to stay fit. I started to really work out in my late 30s and have learned that I have to maintain this to stay healthy.

WHAT I WEAR TO WORK OUT: Because squash is a fast and physically demanding game, I don't like shirts that restrict my swinging motion. For that reason, I wear a tank top and some color-coordinated shorts. Both have to be loose and comfortable.

WHAT SAVES MY SANITY: A good squash game with my friends Gene Lau, Lloyd Kawakami, Bobby Linn, Dr. Harold Nielson and Dr. Peter McNally at the Honolulu Club. We are all around the same age and athletic ability. That's what makes the game fun and competitive.

NEXT CHALLENGE: Beat all of the above on a consistent basis.

ADVICE FOR THOSE IN THE SAME BOAT: If you are serious about staying in shape, schedule workouts the same as scheduling business appointments. You wouldn't miss an important meeting, so why miss taking care of yourself? We are all time-challenged these days, so proper planning and adherence are key.