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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, September 21, 2006

FITNESS PROFILE | JULIET LIGHTER
Ex-Miss Hawai'i USA is a model of health

How do you keep fit? Visit our discussion board to share health tips, diet secrets and physical activities that help you stay in shape.

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

Former Miss Hawai'i USA Juliet Lighter, assisted by trainer Kimo Kockelman, works out at Gold's Gym in Kaka'ako.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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JULIET LIGHTER

Age: 30 and "embracing it with pride," Lighter said.

Profession: These days, the Miss Hawai'i USA 2002 keeps busy as a freelance event coordinator with photographer Russell Tanoue; public relations and marketing writer; co-host of "Hawaii Reel Stories" on OC 16; international model; and graduate student at Hawai'i Pacific University, where she studies communications

Residence: Kane'ohe

Height: 5-feet-4

Weight: 108

Stays in shape by: Working out with trainer Kimo Kockelman of Hardass Fitness, running, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming and doing Bikram yoga.

Fitness goal: "To run the Honolulu Marathon in December and compete in my first triathlon in 2007."

Interesting fact: "I was a complete tomboy. The idea of becoming a pageant queen or model was the furthest from my mind until I met the famous Russell Tanoue, who took me under his wing and helped groom me. He is the most wonderful person that I know with the biggest heart. I owe him so much."

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Gym workouts with Kimo Kockelman, running, hiking, swimming and yoga contribute to Juliet Lighter's fitness regimen as she enters her 30s.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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JULIET LIGHTER'S REGIMEN

When and why I started working out: "Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been involved in athletics. My father is an avid surfer and I always wanted to be like him."

Workout habits: "I work out six days a week, alternating between my running regimen for the marathon, interval training in the gym and hiking Diamond Head. Also, I am an abs nazi — at least 400 a day."

Good foods/bad foods: Good foods include baked chicken breast, mahi mahi with pesto sauce, spinach, lots of asparagus, tofu, sweet potato and freshly squeezed orange juice. Bad foods include brownies and the Ultimate Mocha drink from Coffee Bean.

Biggest motivator: "My father. I've seen him overcome so much adversity in his life, the biggest challenge being able to raise a child on his own. He always managed to provide me with the very best in life. I am so grateful to him."

What saves my sanity: "My faith in God and knowing that he has a bigger plan for my life. The scripture I live by is: 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.' — Ephesians 2:8."

Next challenge: "Ideally, I would like to host and produce my own television show that will focus on travel, entertainment and culture. In addition, someday create a program called 'New Start' that will empower, educate and provide help to former victims of domestic violence."

Advice for those in the same boat: "My advice for women turning 30 — embrace it and look at your past accomplishments with pride, learn from your mistakes, look at broken relationships as growth spurts, but most importantly, love and accept yourself for who you are because once you can do that, you are on your way to a happy and successful life."

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Miss Hawai'i USA 2002 Juliet Lighter is ready to turn in her pageant gowns and high heels for workout wear and running shoes.

Lighter, a model who has entered a handful of pageants over the past six years, wants to switch gears and focus her energy on fitness.

"I definitely want to get into heavy training, as far as competing more in marathons and triathlons," the Kane'ohe resident said. "Maybe entering more surfing competitions."

Her first major challenges: training for the Dec. 10 Honolulu Marathon, then for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in October next year in Kailua, Kona — "an ultimate goal," Lighter said.

Lighter's newfound ambitions stem from turning the "big 3-0" in January.

"When I turned 29, my body started changing," Lighter said. "I decided I need to start eating right and I need to start working out."

A family history of cancer and diabetes also was a big motivator for Lighter, who added that she wants to set an example for her younger cousins.

"It was like my whole perspective on life changed," she said.

Her fitness goals won't be just a short-term phase, she emphasized: "When I'm in my 40s or 50s, I want to feel like I'm in my 20s or 30s."

Lighter squeezes her workout routines between going to school and working as a freelance event coordinator, cable-show co-host and international model, among other things.

"My workouts are priority," Lighter said. "I always hear people say, 'I don't have time to work out' ... but if it means that much to you, you make time for it."

Lighter's new passion for health and fitness is part of her mission to reinvent herself. While she's proud of her pageant accomplishments (which helped her pay for college) — winning the Miss West O'ahu 2000 title, earning fourth runner-up in Miss Hawai'i 2000, becoming a top 12 finalist in the Miss Hawaiian Tropic competition and winning the Miss Venus Model Search — Lighter isn't just a pretty face.

"There's a lot more to me than what people just see," she said. "It's the worst when people stereotype you: 'She's a beauty queen, so she must not be smart or she must not have a good personality.' "

Lighter said she wants people to get to know her past her appearance: She's a strong Christian who cherishes her family and friends, and is in graduate school earning straight As.

After completing her master's degree in communications from Hawai'i Pacific University, Lighter wants to start an event planning company, and produce and host her own television show.

She also aspires to establish a charity program, "New Start," geared toward helping women who were victims of domestic violence, through self-esteem classes, career workshops and other resources.

"That ideally would be my ultimate goal," said Lighter, whose inspiration for the program came from her own experience of being in an abusive relationship.

To reach all her goals, Lighter said she believes it all comes down to being healthy and fit.

"When you feel good about yourself, everything else seems to fall into place," she said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.