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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Monday, April 25, 2005

FITNESS PROFILE
Busy mother, daughter make daily exercise part of life

 •  Daughter came late to fitness

Advertiser Staff

Mother and daughter Susan and Jojo Chapman know the family that plays together stays fit together. They're not only active individually, but take active family vacations, such as a recent skiing vacation along with dad Robert and brother Chris.

Dr. Susan Chapman, right, and her 18-year-old daughter, Johanna, take a breather and enjoy the scenery after an hour's hike at Ka'ena Point on the North Shore.

Chris Chapman

Name: Susan Chapman.

Age: 50.

Profession: Physician in obstetrics and gynecology, private practice.

Height: 5-feet-6.

Workout habits: She does cardio 30 to 45 minutes a day, five to seven days a week (power walking, biking, elliptical); 30 to 45 minutes of weight workout at the gym once or twice a week, does a core workout three to five times a week with stretching, and currently is working with a private athletic trainer/exercise physiologist twice a week for an hour to correct muscle imbalances while recovering from knee surgery back in January. ("Hopefully, I will return to tennis," she says via e-mail — she used to play three or four times a week, including an exercise tennis class and playing doubles, before her knee injury.)

When and why I started working out: "I have also been a walker and exerciser, although I never did any team sports in high school or college."

She started playing squash, jogging and swimming in college to stay fit and has continued.

"It would be unusual for me not to exercise, even when recovering from injuries," Chapman said.

My good foods/bad foods: "In general, I try to eat a balanced, high-fiber, low-fat diet. I have cut back on carbs in the past year (mostly rice and potatoes), but my weaknesses are fresh-baked artisan breads, chocolate chip cookies and dark chocolate — and eating too fast."

My biggest motivator: "In the past it was 'fear of fat,' but now it is desire to maintain strength and flexibility so I can continue to do the activities I enjoy."

What saves my sanity: "Working out and spending time with my husband and children save my sanity. After about 20 minutes of exercise (especially walking or biking outdoors) I feel a release of stress. My children and husband also have an ability to make me laugh, which is a wonderful stress reliever."

Advice for those in the same boat: "Schedule time in your day to exercise, or it won't happen. No one else can do it for you. It is like saving for a rainy day, if you don't put the money in the bank, it won't be there when you need it later. If you don't take care of your health now, it won't be there later."