FITNESS PROFILE
Workouts, laughter keep reservationist fit, content

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mirrors show different views of June Toma-Rose as she works out. She exercises at least five times a week, and watches her diet. Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser

Age: 54.

Profession: reservationist, United Airlines.

Height: 5 feet 2.

Weight: 112 pounds.

Workout habits: One hour at least five times a week at the gym doing aerobics and muscle conditioning, step, cardio dance, stability and strength, fitball, etc.

When and why I started working out: In 1989, just as I was about to turn 40, I realized that body parts had started to migrate a couple of inches south of where they started out, so I decided to try and reverse the southward trend and joined a gym.

Before then ... (I) thought that stairways should only be used in case of fire emergencies, running was to be attempted only when being chased by a dog, and weights were stuff to hold the pile of newspapers from flying away.

My good foods/bad foods: I pretty much follow a high-protein, low-carb diet. Love the healthy stuff: fish, chicken, all veggies and fruits. Unfortunately, I also love the bad stuff like crispy chicken skin, foie gras, lobster with butter, anything with cream in it and, oh, yes, vodka. I was the public-relations chair for the Hawaii Nutrition Council at one time, and they used to cringe when I brought spam musubi to their brown-bag lunch meetings.

My biggest motivator: The strong women around me who do not allow the little obstacles in life to deter them from their goals. I want to be like them when I grow up.

My biggest roadblock to fitness: The little aches and pains of aging, such as arthritis in a few joints.

What saves my sanity: Working out serves as a great stress reliever for me, and I have the good fortune of having wonderfully funny friends who make me laugh.

My next challenge: I have a dear friend who tells me that I should have a fitness goal, so I'm contemplating that at the moment. In the meantime, I'm happy every single time that I finish an hour's fitness class with all body parts intact.