Anne Namba's innovative Asian-inspired clothing designs may have put her at a peak of the fashion world, but it was her young children that made her recognize another mountain to conquer — her health.

Namba was in the crowded maze of a Tokyo subway station when her 10-year-old son suddenly left the pack and jetted up a set of steep, never-ending stairs. Huffing and puffing to catch up with him, Namba — whose life revolved around her kids and work — found that she could not make it all the way up.

Afraid she'd lose him in the crowd, she realized that she was out of shape.

"I have a young son, and I need to get more energy," she told herself after the incident.

A little over a year later, the 50-year-old fashion designer has lost 18 pounds by kicking up her exercise regime from "nothing" to training for triathlons, doing Pilates and eating a more healthful diet.

"At first, it was an adjustment," she said of changing her normal routine. "You sort of have to reorganize your schedule."

Namba credits her current fitness streak to Try Fitness, a center that offers programs for women who want to get in shape or to train for events such as the Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon, the Honolulu Marathon and the Tinman Triathlon.

She learned about the center while buying a car, of all things. Her salesman happened to double as an all-around coach for Try Fitness. At first, training for triathlons couldn't have been further from Namba's mind, because her busy schedule did not include a slot for exercise. But over time, she became interested.

"He sold me three cars, so he sold me on this program, too," she said with a laugh.

"I've tried working out on my own for so long, and you can come up with any excuse," she said. "But if you join a group, there's that whole, 'Oh, I gotta go, I paid for it.' "

She's been with Try Fitness since March 2005 and has participated in the Na Wahine Triathlon, Honolulu Century Ride, North Shore Sprint Triathlon and Castle to Hamana Time Trial.

With Try Fitness, each training session has a set schedule for a specific duration of time, ranging from 3 to 12 weeks. "It's a good way to stick to it," Namba said, because goals set over the time period provide an incentive.

Namba most recently trained for the Honu Half Ironman, which was held on June 3. She was out of town during the race, though she spent three days a week for three months building up strength and stamina for swimming, cycling and running.

One main challenge to the businesswoman's exercise regime is her extensive traveling. She said she leaves the Island about 12 times a year, causing her to miss workouts and races.

"I try to work out on my trips, but a lot of the times it's not possible," she admits. "I just come back and try to catch up."

Since Namba started exercising, she found that she naturally started to eat healthier foods. "Your whole emphasis and your whole focus is different — you're eating foods that will fuel you for peak performance, versus the whole idea of deprivation," she said.

In addition to the Try Fitness training sessions, which focus on cardiovascular exercise and muscle strengthening, Namba has started doing Pilates twice a week at Body Balance Centre with her daughter, who wanted to supplement her ballet training. Namba said Pilates is a good addition to her normal routine because it strengthens her core, lengthens muscles and increases flexibility.

Namba is used to juggling multiple roles. She jumps from the world of "Kimono Couture" to spandex and T-shirts with the ease of a chameleon. And her outfits are just as wide-ranging, depending on the workout.

One thing she always tries to do is protect herself from the sun.

When she's running, she usually dons capri-length pants, a T-shirt with sleeves, a cap, and Asics shoes — "They're good for lu'au feet," she advised with a chuckle. "Good-fitting running shoes are very important." She got hers at The Running Room.

When it's time to swim, it's a Speedo bathing suit, goggles and cap. And for cycling, she wears gloves, a helmet, Sugoi cycle shorts, a jersey and biking shoes.

In the Pilates studio, a fitted T-shirt and capris suit Namba's range of movement and allow her to focus on the movement of her abdominals and rib cage.

So will the fashion designer turn to a fitness line?

"Everyone's been trying to get me to do that," she said, adding that she is thinking of designing a more flattering uniform for the Try Fitness cycling team.

"It would be fun," she said.

With her schedule so full, Namba leaves that question up in the air. One thing certain in her future, however, is a continued commitment to her health — and a victory over any staircase that poses a challenge.

Reach Christine Terada at cterada@honoluluadvertiser.com .