AGE:
Hilary:  47
Kara:  45

PROFESSION:
Hilary:  Artist (painting and drawing). I also do graphic design and sales
at the Eames Office.  The Eames Office sells and displays everything related
to the designers Charles and Ray Eames.
Kara: Self employed fabric designer

HOMETOWN:  Santa Monica, CA

COLLEGE:
Hilary:  Tufts University and School of the Museum of Fine Arts
Kara:  University of London, Middlesex University

FAVORITE FOOD:
Hilary:  Too many to list.
Kara:  Cheese

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED:
Hilary:  I have been spending a lot of time in Italy lately in a small town in Tuscany – really a beautiful place.  My boyfriend lives there most of the year, so that is where I spend my summers.
Kara:  I have many favorite places – Barcelona and Thailand to name a few.

HILARY

BACKGROUND:  Kara brought me to my first Sonki Fitness class a long time ago.  I have never been particularly athletic – in fact I never liked exercise.  My first 5-week session of boot camp was Saturdays only, and I didn’t think I was going to continue.  It was pretty different for me and very hard.  But something made me continue.  Maybe it was Kara’s encouragement, the enthusiasm of the group (knowing that I wasn’t the only one struggling), or maybe it was Sonki’s calm consistent manner.  Probably it was all of those things.  Well, I am so glad I stayed with it!  I have done more sit-ups and push-ups and run faster than I ever would have imagined.  Who would have thought that, in my forties, exercise (boot camp, no less) would become such a consistent part of my life?

What is your current exercise routine?  I do Sonki Fitness three times a week and a weekly hike in Temescal Canyon.  I learned about this hike through Sonki Fitness, and now I go every week with friends.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  I feel better after class (every time), and that constantly amazes me.  So I have to keep that in mind to get myself to class.  Before each class Kara and I call each other.  Sometimes we are both tired and can think of a million reasons not to go to boot camp.  But after saying the excuses out loud we both realize they are poor excuses and we need to just go.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Showing up and staying motivated.  Once I get to class the support and encouragement of the trainers and the group keeps me pushing my limits.  But getting there is always hard.

What is your key to success?  Again, just showing up.  It is amazing how that is the key to so many things in life—showing up and being present.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  I love that it is outside along the ocean.  I like the friendly and supportive atmosphere and the variation in the workouts.  Sonki Fitness has completely changed how I see myself in terms of my physical ability.  I never thought I could do anything like this and year after year I keep coming back and working hard.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Show up and stay with it.  Don’t give in to the excuses and don’t let one missed class or one hard day stop you from coming back.

KARA

BACKGROUND:  I have always been fairly active.  As a child I was a gymnast and have participated in a wide variety of fitness activities on and off throughout my life, including hiking & backpacking, yoga and cycling.  I grew up in Santa Monica, but spent my college years in London.  I joined gyms there and seemed to get the most out of the classes whether it was boxercise, step, or spinning rather than working out on my own.  When I moved back here it seemed ludicrous to join a gym when we have such a great outdoor environment and climate.  I came across Sonki Fitness almost by accident and it was exactly what I was looking for!  I have been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp now for 7 years, and it is the most consistent I have ever been with any exercise program.  Over the years, I have noticed that my general disposition improves greatly when I exercise regularly.

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness Boot Camp 3 days a week, leisurely cycling (I often run errands with the bike rather than the car), hiking, and occasional yoga.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  To stave off old age and prevent myself from getting too grumpy.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  The biggest challenge is continuing to challenge myself physically.  After all this time, I still have to push myself to try a little harder each time.  And as I am getting older, being physically strong and healthy is even more important.

What is your key to success?  It’s all in the mind.  The body will do what the brain tells it to do. Don’t let your brain talk your body out of going to workouts (“I’m too tired,” “it’s cold,” etc.).  I have a long term view of success, so if I am not feeling particularly motivated right before boot camp, I just go anyway.  Being consistent is the key.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  I like the group support and motivation, and working out outdoors while watching the sunset over the ocean.  I have also learned that mental discipline and a positive attitude are a big part staying fit.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Make physical activity a regular part of your life.  If you want your fitness to improve, you have to push yourself just a little bit beyond where it’s comfortable.  Challenge yourself, but with compassion.