Terada is a nurse practitioner in the outpatient clinic, specializing in women's health issues and preventive care. She works all day seeing patients.

Pagdilao works nights in medical records. He watches the boys, Lopaka, 17 and Noa, 10, while Terada works out every morning and then goes to her job. He also does the cooking, housekeeping and yard work, giving Terada more time for herself and their sons.

Name: Kathy Terada.

Age: 52.

Profession: Nurse practitioner.

Height: 5 feet.

Weight: 97 pounds.

Kathy Terada spends Sundays with her family at Makaha Beach, where she can surf and enjoy an atmosphere of extended family. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

When she used to compete as a long-distance canoe paddler, Terada did a lot of weight training for strength and endurance. Now she lifts light weights at home once a week for toning and strengthening purposes.

All of her training contributes to her hula, as well as keeping her in shape for the family's annual skiing trips to Utah or Colorado. She is a champion tandem surfer with her partner, Brian Keaulana. "Most of the girls (in competition) are 20 years old, so I have to keep in shape for that, too."

When and why I started working out: Terada began working out 25 years ago, in the '80s, when she joined the Spa to take aerobics classes. "I didn't have children then, and my work schedule was more flexible. ... I worked out with a friend who was a lifeguard and got into body-building; I was her training partner. Once you get hooked on exercise, it becomes part of your life."

My good foods/bad foods: "We did a lot of research on nutrition when we were working out seriously. When we were younger, we could eat anything. I remember at the beach we'd eat chips and dip and a pint of ice cream. Later on, we found we gained weight if we ate like that.

"Now I eat more fish and chicken, but my husband is a chocolate lover and he loves meat so we always have it around the house.

"I love to eat, and I was always able to eat a lot until about 15 years ago when I began to have to watch it. I love to eat fruits and a good salad with lots of different veggies in it. My weakness is sweets and chips and things like that. My husband doesn't buy oil any more, so there's no more frying anything in our house."

My biggest motivator: "Having my children when I was older — so I try to stay healthy and active as they are growing up. My sons are active in water sports — bodyboarding and surfing — as well as soccer and gymnastics.

"My family has always been active, so they help keep me going. A lot of our friends are active in water sports and it's just our lifestyle."

What saves my sanity: "Being able to work out really helps. You know, men make time for themselves, but women tend not to. My half hour to an hour every day is my time. That's my time for problem-solving.

"Every Sunday we go to the beach to spend the day. If there's surf, my husband comes and if there's no surf it's just me and the boys. I pack a cooler and have a bag of snacks to share, because Makaha Beach is like a big family, and I like to have something for everyone."

My next challenge: "In the past I have done triathlons, but now the only competitive thing I do is tandem surfing with my partner, Brian Keaulana."