Posted on: Monday, December 13, 2004
FITNESS PROFILE
Getting fit by taking charge of life
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
Halekulani employees have a name for it: the "Halekulani Ten." It's common — in fact, expected — that employees of the upscale hotel will gain weight.
Photos by Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser Patricia Tam meets these challenges with a sensible workout regimen. Her enthusiasm is infectious. Employees have noticed the changes in her posture and demeanor, and there has been a snowball effect as more and more employees start working out.
She has also become an advocate for fitness within the hotels, bringing experts in to talk about the importance of strength and injury prevention on the job.
Name: Patricia Tam.
Workout habits: Working with weights, balance ball, bands and a variety of other tools with a personal trainer three times a week. Cardio three to four times a week for 40 to 50 minutes. "Cardio gets the oxygen flowing and clears my mind."
My good foods/bad foods: Broccoli, vegetable stir-fry, brown rice/ice cream. "I had never really thought about nutrition before, but I found that I wanted to eat better after I started feeling better from exercise." My biggest motivator: "Being an inspiration to others regarding the capacity to change." My biggest roadblock to fitness: "Maintaining a healthy nutrition plan daily." What saves my sanity: "My Saturday-morning workouts. I'm always learning something new. And for the first time I realize that, yes, you can change if you understand what needs to change. Exercise makes me look at things differently. I am always looking at a better way to do things now in my work and throughout my everyday life." My next challenge: "Maintaining a fitness and health regime to reduce the risks of osteoporosis and diabetes."
Advice for those in the same boat: "Take small positive steps today. Always remember, tomorrow is another day."
Working there can be an occupational hazard for those trying to keep fit and trim. Surrounded by the finest cuisine (not to mention the fabulous potato chips at House Without a Key), there are constant temptations.
Fitness trainer Eric Okamura helps Patricia Tam work out at Fit For Life studio. "Eric helped me feel what was going on in my body — the why and how of it," the hotel executive says.
Age: 53.
Profession: vice-president, Halekulani Corp.
Height: 5-feet-2.
Weight: 136 pounds.
Target weight: 130 to 135 pounds.
When and why I started working out: "Six years ago, I was constantly fatigued, working 12 to 16 hours a day. I had no sense of balance and no conditioning. Personal training was an option I finally decided to check out for my health. Eric (Eric Okamura of Fit For Life) helped me feel what was going on in my body — the why and how of it."
For Patricia Tam, working out regularly with weights and a balance ball help her both stay in shape and keep on an even keel emotionally.
