Sink or swim
By Patricia Corrigan
SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH
Monday, Dec. 31 2007

In 1999, regional Emmy winner Victoria Babu left her job as morning anchor at
KTVI (Channel 2) and took up exercise. "I worked out, I took salsa dancing
classes, I played golf — I did what I had always wanted to do if I ever had the
time," says Babu, munching on a small salad at a local eatery. One year later,
she signed up for a triathlon, even though she did not know how to swim.

"I knew I could run 6.2 miles, and I was confident that I could handle the
25-mile bike ride, but I knew nothing about swimming a mile in open water,"
Babu recalls. "I was a sunbather, a toe dipper, maybe an occasional dog paddler
— certainly not a swimmer."

Why sign up?

"Ignorance really is bliss," Babu says, laughing. "Besides, it wasn't about
winning, but about finishing — and about raising money for the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society."

For the first time in history, a triathlon was part of the 2000 Summer
Olympics, held in Australia. The society sponsored a triathlon in California at
the same time, and the St. Louis chapter chose to participate.

Babu and her husband attended the local chapter's Team in Training meeting,
where both signed up. "I paid my entry fee and told them I would take part if
they would teach me how to swim." They did — and Babu and her husband both
finished the triathlon. You can read more about that adventure at
bodybybabu.com.

"In a way, that experience was really about sinking or swimming in life," Babu
says. "It changed my life. I've continued to take part in triathlons and
marathons, and I got certified as a personal trainer. It changed my husband's
life, too. He quit smoking and lost 25 pounds."

Babu is married to David Niswonger, vice president of sales and marketing for
MedAssist. Next summer, they will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with
a family trip to Greece. They have two daughters, ages 21 and 18.

STUCK IN TRAFFIC?

Currently, Babu is a producer and co-host at KTRS radio, and she is host of a
health and fitness program called "Body By Babu," which airs on the station
from 4 to 5 p.m. every Saturday. Soon, listeners also will hear Babu's
30-second fitness tips for motorists struggling to get from Point A to Point B
without benefit of Highway 40 (Interstate 64).

"Smart Living," Babu's Charter cable television show, is broadcast at 9:30 p.m.
every Wednesday through Sunday. She also writes a blog for Prevention magazine
(visit prevention.com/babu) and is on staff at the Wildwood Family YMCA.

JUNK FOOD AND BOYS

Born in Springfield, Ill., Babu was active as a child. "I was a tomboy, always
outside playing — running, climbing, riding my bike," she says. "At 15, I
discovered junk food and boys. I quit being a tomboy, quit being athletic. I
gained 20 pounds, and I have spent the rest of my life taking off that 20
pounds, putting it back on and then taking it off again."

In college at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Babu took a course that
introduced her to aerobic exercise and running. "I loved running immediately,"
she says. "It just felt good. I'd put on my shoes, and out the door I'd go." As
a young married woman, Babu started gaining weight again. "My husband never
said a word about it directly, but he did comment from time to time that I ate
as much as he did."

'EXERCISE IS MY ANTIDEPRESSANT'

Early in her marriage, Babu joined Weight Watchers, and she has been a lifetime
member since the age of 24. Today, she stands 5 feet 2 1/2 inches tall and
wears a size 6. "When I was 19, it was easy to lose weight if I went up a few
pounds," she says. "Now, as I approach 50, that's different."

Babu exercises regularly. "Five or six days a week, I do a minimum of 20
minutes of cardio," Babu says. She favors interval training, where she gets her
heart rate up, brings it down and then raises it again. That way, she says, she
can burn 400 calories in just 20 minutes. "I prefer to go for 30 or 45 minutes,
and work with stretch bands." Three days a week, Babu takes a Pilates class.

"At this point, I can't imagine not exercising," she says. "Exercise is my
antidepressant. I actually feel blue if I miss a day. Who wants to go through
life in a haze? Exercising and eating well make me feel vibrant, on fire."

Since that first triathlon in 2000, Babu has competed in several triathlons
here in St. Louis and also in Florida and California. Last June, Babu
participated in "Escape from Alcatraz" in San Francisco. "It's rated the No. 1
triathlon in the world for its grueling and challenging course," she says. The
event includes a 1.5-mile swim in 55-degree ocean water, an 18-mile bike ride
and an eight-mile run on a beach that has a sand staircase with 400 steps.

Babu also has run in the St. Louis and Chicago marathons and participated in
several half-marathons. This winter, she "decided to take some time off — be
kinder, gentler to my body, and also learn how to rest." She says, "I love
spending time with my family, reading, going to movies and puttering around the
house."

As a certified personal trainer, Babu works with a limited number of clients,
helping them achieve fitness and weight loss goals. "I draw from my own
experiences, as well as what I've learned through the certification process,"
she says.

"I always tell my clients that journaling has been key for me. Writing down
what I eat, when I exercise — seeing the patterns — that registers for me to
this day. And I tell them not to fib, because if you do, you are only hurting
yourself."

Often, new clients start out by telling Babu what they cannot do, could never
do, won't be able to do. Babu encourages each of them to set small goals. "When
you set a huge goal, a goal that you hope to achieve in the far distant future,
nine times out of 10 you won't reach that goal," she says. "I always suggest
setting goals in small, doable increments. That's one sure secret to success,
and you only have to compete against yourself."

Babu also makes a point of telling her clients that she entered a swimming
competition before she knew how to swim. "I tell them that story — and then I
tell them if I can do this, anyone can."

patriciacorrigan@gmail.com