FITNESS PROFILE | JENNIFER CHII
Living the high life
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
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When Jennifer Chii was a toddler, she loved to climb things.
Now in her 20s, she's still doing it. Only this time, she's scaling mountains.
"There's so much to it," said Chii, who went on her first climb in Texas in 2005. "At first it takes awhile to get up there. You feel like you're not going to make it. But once you're up there and you see the ocean, the gorgeous mountains, the friends who supported you, it's amazing."
Chii got interested in rock climbing as a student at the University of Texas at Austin, when she went hiking in Enchanted Rock State Natural Park and saw women conquering the peaks.
"It really amazed me," Chii said. "When I saw other women actually doing it, I wanted to try it, too."
Soon after graduating with a degree in clinical nutrition, Chii moved to O'ahu in 2003, after hearing a description of the island's weather.
An ocean lover, Chii quickly picked up surfing, bodyboarding and spearfishing.
"I'm in the water just about every day," said Chii, who works as a health inspector for the state Department of Health. "Being in the water, even just for half an hour, is very therapeutic ... It energizes you."
For the past few months, though, Chii has focused on rock climbing, honing her skills almost every Saturday in Mokule'ia.
Her ideal day: to climb in the morning, break for lunch in Hale'iwa and scuba dive in the afternoon.
"When you're (climbing), you let everything go," Chii said. "You forget about work, your whole week. You're up there having the time of your life."
Having grown up in Massachusetts and Texas playing sports, Chii now works out more for the mental than physical benefits.
Sure, bodyboarding and rock climbing keep her body in shape and her muscles toned. But she loves how exercise improves her mood and decreases her stress and anxiety levels.
"It's really homeostasis for the body to get it back in balance," she said.
Rock climbing has helped her become stronger, more confident and mentally tougher.
It's taught her that she doesn't want to be — or need to be — that wimpy girl who can't take care of herself.
"You look down at what you just climbed and say, 'Man, I accomplished that!' " Chii said. "I didn't think I could do it, but I did ... You realize you're a lot stronger than you thought you were."
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STAYING HEALTHY Workout habits: Chii gets up early every morning and does her "lazy workout," which consists of sit-ups and push-ups while watching TV. She usually rides her bike, swims or bodyboards in Waikiki after work. On the weekends, she goes rock climbing, scuba diving or spearfishing. When and why she started working out: Chii started gymnastics at age 4 and continued that for five years. She's also played basketball, softball and soccer and figure skated. "My parents didn't believe in baby-sitting," she said. "They believed in putting us in activities." While a student at the University of Texas at Austin, Chii got certified in scuba diving. But it wasn't until she moved to Hawai'i in 2003 that she picked up surfing and pursued rock climbing. Biggest obstacle: "Finding people who share the hobby and are available to go consistently," said Chii, who doesn't own a car. "It helps if they are more experienced or at the same level, so we can encourage one another." Good foods/bad foods: "I love food," Chii said, emphatically. But like most busy twentysomethings, she tends to eat out or on the run. "Ideally, I try to keep a supply of V8 in the 'fridge, frozen bananas in the freezer, Clif Bars and beef jerky in the cabinet," she said. Her bad foods: "Anything in the house I can't stop eating until it's gone!" She has a sweet tooth and doesn't feel guilty about eating sweets first. Biggest motivator: Chii finds motivation in the lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's song "More To This Life": "But there's more to this life than living and dying; more than just trying to make it through the day." "I believe that," Chii said. "Hawai'i has so much to offer, and the perfect weather for outdoor activities. Seeing blue skies every morning puts a big smile on my face and motivates me to jump out of bed. You have to take advantage of that." What saves your sanity: "Not having children right now," Chii joked. While climbing a rock face may seem insane for some people, it can be therapeutic for others. What keeps her sane is staying active, whether that's surfing when the waves are good or snorkeling when it's flat. What advice would you give other women who want to start rock climbing? "Just go out and do it," Chii said. "It doesn't matter if you don't have the money or resources to buy the shoes, harness or any of the gear yet. The climbing community here is more than happy to help out anyone interested in taking up the sport. All you need is a positive attitude, enthusiasm and the willingness to try. In the end it's just an audience of one." |
Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
