Garnett finds time to Exercise

Robert Garnett, Jr. staying healthy

    Not being able to fit exercise into the day is the number one excuse used by those that claim “they just don’t have the time.”

    Yet, people that really care about their health somehow find the time to go for a walk, jog, swim or cycle, even if it means working out at 4 in the morning or 8 in the evening.

   For Robert Garnett, Jr. it’s all about making time fit into his busy work and family schedule.  Garnett, a single parent of five and works at two jobs, exercising to maintain his weight has become a top priority. 

   Garnett first got interested in sports at a young age, and then went on to play football, baseball and track & field in high school to become a “tri-athlete” of sorts.

    Growing up in Norco, Southern California Garnett and his family moved to the Big Island eleven years ago where he now resides in Leilani Estates, Pahoa.

    “My families health issues brought us here,” he said.  “The air quality in Southern California was too dirty and caused my son and wife to get constant sinus infections.  We decided that Hawaii was the best place for my wife and my son to live because the air is clean.”

    Garnett’s wife also suffers from multiple sclerosis and after traveling around the U.S. decided that Hawaii made her feel the best physically.  

    Garnett is employed by Hawaii Community College and is an instructor at Waiakea High School where he teaches drafting, blueprint reading, and building construction one and two.

   “I work for the Construction Academy at Waiakea and I also work at the Home Depot, part time,” he said.  “I really enjoy my job because I can give back to the students by sharing my experiences with them.”

    “Exercise is important to me because it helps me stay balanced, focused on my goals, and it is relaxing,” he said.

    Twelve months ago Garnett, who stands 5’ 6.5” tipped the scales at 200 pounds and realized it was time to do something about it.

    “My average weight for the last 20 years had always been around 160 to 185,” he said.  “I have always done physical activity, but as I got older the weight started to pile on.”

    Part of Garnett’s motivation to lose weight came from his desire to participate in the Senior Olympics.   “I was eating too much high fat foods, like junk food and fast food,” he said.  “Over a period of time this just built up and I gained weight.”   

    After losing the weight Garnett went to Oahu this past November to compete in 100, 200 and 400 meter sprints, along with the shot put, long jump and pole vault events as part of the Senior Olympics.  “I qualified for the nationals in California in August, but I won’t be able to go due to my family situation,” he said.

  Garnett’s action to lose and maintain his current weight was to cut portion sizes and improve on the foods that he consumed.  “I now eat a bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal everyday with one banana for breakfast.  For lunch I bring a sandwich from home and for dinner I either eat out or make dinner for the kids that always have lots of fruits and vegetables with the meals,” he said.

    Of course Garnett also compliments his well balanced diet with regular exercise.  Each day, during lunch hour, Garnett can be found walking laps around the Waiakea track.  “Before school I walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes and then walk again during my lunch period,” he said.

   “I also swim five days a week at Kawamoto swimming pool for 30 minutes each day, and I do a lot of stretching and isometrics with 15 pound barbells,” he said.

   As a result of Garnett’s exercise and improved diet he has lost 55 pounds in a six month period and is down to his high school weight of 145 pounds.

   Garnett doesn’t drink or smoke and at age 57 is well on his way to a healthier, more productive body that will continue to reap benefits as he ages.

   “As I get older I realize that it’s more and more important to keep my body in good condition,” he said.

    Garnett’s goals are to maintain his body weight, increase his flexibility, and to improve on his diet.  “I want to lead by example for my family,” he said.  “I also want to help people to lose weight and thus, feel better.”

   “It’s no big secret in losing weight,” Garnett said.  “Just limit your intake of food and use high quality foods and exercise daily, you’ll see the weight melt away and you’ll find that you will have more energy and feel so much better.”

    “If people are interested they can email me at rgarnett@hawaii.edu,” he said.  “I know how hard it is for people to get started and I’d be willing to help them take their first step.”

Advertisement