FITNESS PROFILE
Mom's workout is all fun, games

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Chula Harrison, 59, leads an active life, which includes beach volleyball, tennis, hiking and riding a motorcycle. She also got back into surfing because all four of her children surf. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Age: 59.

Neighborhood: Kahala.

Profession: Sculptor and teacher.

Height: 5 feet 6.

Weight: 120 pounds.

Workout habits: "I just play. I play volleyball and surf and hike and ride a motorcycle.

When and why I started working out: "I've done it all my life because it's fun, but I guess I really started exercising a lot with my kids. My second son, Todd Harrison, was a pro volleyball player. I got back into surfing because all four of my kids surf and my oldest son, Robin Johnston, is a professional surfer. Volleyball is something I play with my daughter, Kilia Hinrichs."

Good foods: Lots of salads and fruits. "I don't really focus on what I eat — I just have healthy desires."

Bad foods: "All the junk foods. And meat. Oh, and sugar. I eat ice cream every afternoon."

My biggest motivator: "My husband. He is so disciplined, almost driven, and it has rubbed off on me. He used to be a professional football and rugby player and now he plays tennis twice a day. I just try to keep up with him and my kids."

My biggest road block to fitness: "Heat gets to me."

What saves my sanity: "Being in love."

My next challenge: "To not drop the teaching of my class, which I call 'Feelings.' It's about how you can create your own health. You can have genetic problems but how you think and feel can help you overcome them. You create your own reality. It's all your responsibility."

Advice for those in the same boat: "Practice being in the moment, 'cause now is all we have."