In November 2002, the 5-foot-4 Kim weighed 232 pounds, and nearly withdrew as the maid of honor for her friend's wedding fearing she would hurt herself walking in high heels. Kim, 34, attended the wedding, but suffered a setback when she saw the wedding photos of herself.

"When I saw the picture, I was devastated," Kim said. "I thought 'This is not me.' That was the beginning of the beginning."

Kim embarked on a multi-sport exercise regimen that now includes triathlon training with Boca Hawai'i. Since the wedding two years ago, she has dropped her weight to 102 pounds. Kim has finished two triathlons, including April's Honolulu Triathlon, and plans to enter the Tinman Triathlon in July.

"I'm kind of surprised that I've come this far," said Kim, who lives in Mililani and works at Realty Pacific as a broker in charge. "I've had a lot of help. It wasn't my goal to lose 100 pounds. It just worked out that way. My goal was to be healthy. I feel great."

Started slowly

Kim eased into her regimen with yoga exercises, and later moved to stationary cycling classes and surfing lessons. At one point, a friend suggested that she try triathlon training with Boca Hawai'i.

"I thought this is ridiculous," Kim said of the triathlon. "I'm never going to be able to do that. First, I don't even run. I can't even run to the darn lightpole."

Raul Boca, owner of Boca Hawai'i, invited Kim to join their master's triathlon training group in January. Since then, Kim has impressed Boca with her persistence. Boca said many people try to find easy ways to lose weight, mostly with fad diets. But Kim didn't do it the easy way.

"She did it by eating healthy, working out and being active," Boca said. "Now she's doing triathlons and is competitive at it. She's excited about doing well."

High school athlete

Kim said she participated in softball, volleyball, basketball and track when she attended Leilehua High School, but started to gain weight after graduation.

"After high school, I knew nothing," Kim said. "You focus on life and work, and all your habits change. During that time, I gained over 100 pounds."

Kim said she performed hula and participated in the Merry Monarch at 232 pounds. However, her excess weight damaged her knees and she retired from hula in 2002.

"Basically from April 2002 to November 2002, I was constantly in therapy, recovering from knee injuries," she said.

It was around that time Kim said she contemplated withdrawing from her friend's wedding ceremony.

"I couldn't wear heels," she said. "I thought I would have a hard time walking down the aisle."

Kim said no one, not even her doctor, recommended her to lose weight, but "I know they all thought it."

Joined Weight Watchers

To help her lose weight, Kim joined Weight Watchers and learned about buying healthy foods and eating a healthy diet. She began eating vegetables and fruits instead of soda and hamburgers, and curbed her emotional eating habits. As a result of her weight loss, she gained self-esteem and got a new look.

Last November, Kim purchased a new wardrobe in Las Vegas after shedding 70 pounds. Now those clothes are too big for her.

"I think I lost 30 (additional) pounds during triathlon training," Kim said. "I was using strings to hold my pants up for a long time, because I didn't want to spend money."

Kim said she plans to enter her third triathlon in July. Her goal for the Tinman Triathlon — a half-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run — is to finish under three hours. Kim said she finished April's Honolulu Triathlon — a 1-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and a 6.2-mile run — in 3 hours and 23 minutes.

Boca said he believes Kim can reach her goal.

"If she trains really hard, I think she'll be able to be around three hours," Boca said. "That's incredible if you look at her a year ago."

Strong support

Kim said she's been overwhelmed by the support of many friends, some whom have watched her transformation and joined her.

"Even at my office, I got them all on Weight Watchers now," she said. "They still think I'm nuts because I'm doing the kind of sports I'm doing. But it's fun. I enjoy it. They see that this is my new life. My boss is a great supporter.

"I feel that I belong when I'm working out with the guys. It's a good feeling to know as long as you're there trying, you fit."

Bill Darrah, 55, of Punchbowl, who trains with Kim, said he's cheering for her.

"She's obviously on a mission," said Darrah, who works as a family law attorney. "It's always fun to have somebody in the group who has a personal mission. You can tell she really wants to succeed."