Tina Amaral played volleyball and basketball for Castle High School. However, once she became a working mother, it was difficult for her to find time for fitness. Her office job meant she was less active, and she found herself gaining weight.

Two weeks ago, Amaral began training for her first triathlon, the Na Wahine Sprint, set for Sept. 18. This event involves a 500-meter ocean swim, 12-mile bike ride and 5K run.

This is not a natural combination for Amaral. While biking is her strongest event and running isn't too much of a problem, swimming was a challenge. "When I first started I could barely swim," she said.

"They" are K.C. Carlberg and her staff at Try Fitness Hawaii, an organization that specializes in fitness training for women. Amaral joined their afternoon training sessions specifically targeted to women who plan to do the triathlon.

She credits her parents and her boyfriend, Chris Rawlins, with enabling her to keep up the rigorous triathlon training schedule. They help watch her children and cook the meals. Rawlins, Amaral said, "Is the kind of guy we all love to hate. He has always been active and fit, and he exercises daily. He also has a physical job (as an electrical technician at Pearl Harbor) and can eat anything he wants."

Name: Christina-Marie "Tina" K. Amaral.

Age: 26.

Profession: Office services coordinator for Milici Valenti Ng Pack.

Height: 5 feet 7.

Workout habits: "I normally try to work out every day at lunch, but last week I started training for the Na Wahine triathlon with a great group called Try Fitness Hawaii — we work out three times a week" at various locations on O'ahu.

When and why I started working out: "I started to really focus on working out within the past month or so. My main reason was to lose the weight and feel better about myself physically."

My good foods/bad foods: "I love to eat salad and fruits, but my biggest no-no temptation is McDonald's french fries and Coca-Cola."

My biggest motivator: "I actually have two motivators, my two children, Waimea, age 4, and Faith-Marie, 1 1/2. I want to be a good example for them on how fitness should be a part their lifestyle. I also want to be around for them later on in life."

My biggest roadblock to fitness: "Myself. It's easy for me to lose my focus. I could give a million reasons why I can't do this — my schedule is too hectic, I don't have enough time, etc. — but that would be too easy."

What saves my sanity: "A great support system. My family is so great and they're really helping us out and working around my schedule. Without them, I could not be doing this right now."

My next challenge: "Finishing the Na Wahine triathlon."

Advice for those in the same boat: "Don't give up! If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen. Take it step by step and don't get overwhelmed."