Guam - They're the two names that come to mind when you think of education on Guam - former Department of Education superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood and her husband, University of Guam president Dr. Robert Underwood. And just like many of us on island, they too battled the bulge.
However, according to Underwood, it wasn't just about losing weight. It was about addressing the concerns of their health and the effect their stressful jobs had on it. "We thought we'd take on that issue, if we can't solve the other problems will take on this problem. For me, it was really that I could not fit anymore of my clothes, I was up to a size 18 and when I left DOE, I was 199 lbs. at that point and I said I got to do something about this," she said.
Bretania-Underwood went to the doctor, had a physical and routine work done and the results were in: her blood pressure and cholesterol were high. "I took it on as a goal to be healthy right after I had been superintendent of education," she said. The duo admits their job had a big role in the weight gain and eating habits. "I think the lack of discipline and not paying attention and going through the day at work, going through events and just kind of grazing instead of eating," she said.
The couple set goals. They started out by exercising on a regular basis at Kontenda's Gym almost every morning and following a healthier diet. Bretania-Underwood sought out the assistance of a nutritionist and a personal trainer to keep her on track. As a result of adapting to a healthier lifestyle, both are enjoying the pleasant changes. "And when we travel, it's a lot more comfortable - you have less weight and jetlag is not much of an issue but most of all I'm just a lot more happier and lighter," she said.
And speaking of lighter, Underwood recently went shopping and she can now fit a size 6. Underwood says he is down to a 36 and he says a couple more pounds and he'll be able to fit a 34. Total weight loss? 40 lbs. "The whole issue is basically, what is a realistic goal to set for yourself? Think of little goals along the way and you'll be guided appropriately," she said.
Both say they have a quite a way to go toward achieving their goal, but are having fun getting there. "It's spirit, mind, and body being aligned so you pray, make sure you have a goal, set your mind to that, and take action and you walk in," she said.
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