In the course of working and going to school, Andra Kubulins forgot what it felt like to be happy. The worst part was, she wasn’t even conscious of its absence in her life.

After long days of working in a windowless office as a teaching assistant at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she is finishing her degree in communicology, she said, "I’d go home and plop down on my bed or in a chair and turn on the TV. It took me a really long time to seek any help whatsoever. I felt like I should be able to deal with this."

Diagnosed with clinical depression, the 24-year-old Manoa resident began showing symptoms at the end of 2008. She was put on antidepressants in 2009 and began seeing a therapist this year, which gave her enough motivation to "just get outdoors and be active."

Research shows that exercise helps the human body release endorphins, a chemical neurotransmitter that interacts with opiate receptors to boost mood and make people feel happier. Extra energy is a bonus.

Kubulins didn’t start exercising with this result in mind, but the boost has been welcome.

When she saw a coupon for boot-camp sessions with Chaz Wayne Haynes, she figured she’d give it a try.

"It became a social thing as well as a fitness thing. I looked forward to working out with other people, which felt more holistic. It helped with all of the mental stuff, too," she added. "It was a low barrier to enter, only $20 a month."

Once she started losing weight and feeling good, with an increase in endurance, she decided to start one-on-one training.

"That became really intense, but I like my body for the first time since I’ve been an adult," she said.

Kubulins dropped 25 pounds from her 5-foot-5-inch frame in a couple of months. She now weighs 147 pounds. Her pant size changed from a size 10 or 12 to a size 2 or 4, depending on the style.

IN AUGUST she stopped taking antidepressants, not wanting to be dependent on a synthetic material, and now uses exercise to keep her life balanced.

"The more I exercised, the more I realized that I was getting everything that I needed. My brain was producing the chemicals that I needed. I don’t need to remember to take something in the morning, but I’m still at a high."

Kubulins says that the biggest difference is owning her own feelings.

"When I’m in a really good mood, I know it’s all me. When I was on the antidepressant, I’d wonder if it was the drugs talking. I don’t have that kind of doubt," she explained. "The transition was difficult but worthwhile. There were definitely ups and downs, and the downs were pretty low."

Haynes, also known as Coach Chaz, created a custom program, included kickboxing and strength training, for Kubulins that focused on giving her fast results. Surfing, swimming and stand-up paddle-surfing were also introduced to allow her to burn calories without hurting her knees, which were injured in high school while snow-skiing.

Kubulins now makes time for exercise daily and eats foods that allow her body to recover and grow lean muscle.

"When people don’t exercise and eat enough protein, their body goes into starvation mode, which makes them store fat and burn muscle," said Haynes, who said the best way to kick-start the body is to eat six small meals each day.

"It takes a little planning, but it is better than being depressed or having to see a doctor to get your stomach stapled."