CATHERINE HIKARI

JUNE 2004

1/ What originally got you involved in Personal Training with me?
I took a look at your website. It was informative and I got the impression you were serious about your business.

2/ What specific improvements have you noticed since you started?
I definitely don't get my painful backaches anymore. I used to get them once or twice a week at least. Sometimes I would almost cry just trying to get home from work because it would hurt so much. I had to cancel appointments because of the pain as well. Regular exercise has really made my back stronger and I don't spend money on expensive massages anymore!!

3/ What nutritional changes have you made to your diet?
I eat less fatty food. In the beginning this was a difficult thing to do because I loved eating out and I enjoyed good food. BUT once I started and made a habit of it, it felt good to eat right. If I try eating unhealthy food now, I actually feel sick afterwards. It was hard to get out of the rut I was in, but I made a gradual transition so it wasn't bad. I enjoy blueberries, strawberries, tofu, natto (fermented soy beans-an acquired taste! ha ha!) , lots of veggies, tuna/chicken packed in water with Thai hot chili sauce (love spicy food!).

4/ Do you have a favourite part of each session?
I love the boxing!!! I can feel the fat rolling off when I do that!

5/ Have you utilised the Triple S website much at all?
The website is great. I always read it and find it informative. One day I'd like to be able to balance myself crouching on the ball like that one picture I saw before.

6/ Are there any small improvements in your day to day life that have changed?
I'm fitting into my old clothes again and I enjoy shopping for clothes now. I used to hate trying on clothes after I had gained weight because I knew I wasn't looking my best. I definitely don't get painful back aches anymore...and my man has been making many compliments recently. (bought a bunch of Victoria's Secret stuff recently. ha! ha!)

7/ Who would you recommend Personal Training to?
Anyone and everyone living in Tokyo! It's a big city with so many things to do, so many people to meet, and so many places to go. It's easy to end up with a schedule too busy to fit in exercise. At least with a personal trainer you make a promise to go to the gym and when you get your butt there, he/she will push you to keep going for the whole hour of training. Getting a personal trainer helped me get out of the rut and helped me get out of it the right way.

8/ What would you say to people that who say they can't fit exercise and eating right into their lifestyle?
It was really hard for me to get out of the rut because of my work schedule, but the way I finally did it was to do it gradually. I started going to the gym once a week first, then twice a week, and now when I have time, I go three times a week (even if it's not for a whole hour). I changed my eating habits gradually too. Once you get hooked, no matter how busy you are, you somehow find the time because being healthy feels good. Now that I'm more energetic, I perform better at work too.

9/ Is there anything I do that is different to past trainers you've had or other methods of exercise you've done?
I like how you take measurements from time to time. This helps me to see exactly how I'm doing. I also noticed you change the program once in awhile. I don't get bored this way. Also, you write everything down to helps you remember where each client is at. You're very knowledgeable not only in fitness but also in nutrition which is great. I had never heard of "G.I." before. My last trainer supposedly got 3rd place in "Mr. Olympia" (or something like that) and he told me to stop eating carbs altogether and to drink coffee before working out. I lost weight right away but I also lost all my energy, felt drained AND ended up gaining all the weight and more back. Major rebounding.

CATHERINE HIKARI

Brad: I've always joked with Catherine about how I see people's bodies change and as that happens, their fashion changes too. She's gone from wearing lots of long bagging black clothing to getting tighter more colourful stuff to make her stand out! Her body has changed and a lot and look forward to seeing it get even better! Since I left Tokyo, Catherine has completed 3 marathons!