Posted on: Monday, November 8, 2004
Love of running helps shed pounds
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Thirteen years ago, Linda Giles weighed her heaviest at 215 pounds; she dropped 80 of those pounds within a couple of years. Through good, old-fashioned exercise — she loves to run — and healthy eating habits, she has managed to keep the weight off.
Name: Linda Giles Age: 37 Profession: Giles may be best-known for her work with Weight Watchers, but she's also concentrating her efforts on her business as a motivational speaker. Height: 5 feet 7 Weight: 139 pounds
Workout habits: "I run or walk three to five times a week, do yoga once a week, and regularly take family walks and bike rides. I consider myself an active person and look for every opportunity, every day to move more. Stairs versus the elevator, park far away, walk or bike somewhere I could drive." When and why I started working out: "I've always enjoyed being active, even when I was 80 pounds heavier. What I discovered at Weight Watchers was that the activity and eating have to go hand in hand. Now that I've kept that weight off for 11 years, I feel healthier and better about myself than ever, which just makes me want to be more active." Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser My biggest motivator: "My husband and two children, Keegan, 11, and Olivia Kate, 8 — I want to be around to enjoy them for as long as possible." What saves my sanity: "Reading, writing and running. I read everything I can get my hands on about health and well-being. I write two newsletters about well-being and weight loss and I run as often as I can. It's my therapy." My next challenge: "Running my first marathon and writing a book. Both take tremendous amounts of time and energy, but they will happen." Advice for those in the same boat: "When you feel good you do good. Make choices that help you feel better and then your actions will follow."
"I feel healthier and better about myself than ever," said Giles, who works for the Weight Watchers Hawaii franchise.
Linda Giles
My good foods/bad foods: "Good Foods: I have oatmeal for breakfast every morning and eat lots of fruits and vegetables — every family member eats at least one fruit and/or vegetable at every meal, whole grains and lean proteins. Bad Foods: I don't believe in 'bad' foods — everything in moderation. I do love baked goods and indulge when I really want to and I savor every bite."
Linda Giles, right, used to weigh 215 pounds but is now down to 139. She regularly walks, runs and goes on outings with her daughter, Olivia Kate, left, husband, Kelly, and son Keegan.
