On the eve of my mother’s birthday, I am compelled to write. Some of you may know that I am a very strong advocate on the subject of “mental illness” and I believe it is a matter that needs to be expressed and shared from every mountain top, as all of us know how fragile the mind is. And if our minds are not healthy, how can our bodies be?

My mother is one of 6 siblings, where 4  have been plagued with a serious mental illness since their early twenties. She manages frequent episodes of paranoid schizophrenia, manic depression, who at this moment is suffering from voices that fill her head and hallucinations that occupy her sight, keeping her from going outside to enjoy the sunshine or from grabbing a simple cup of coffee at the local Pete’s. She sees scary faces sitting on her window sill that frighten her that tell her I am in harm. I am her world you see and she is mine.

Today, the day before her 66th birthday she is paranoid; afraid to change her clothes, afraid to look out the window and afraid that the “people” at the local grocery store won’t like the outfit she has picked out.  We have talked more that six times on the phone and like many other days she is coping hour to hour and minute to minute. Her medications are all mixed up as on a daily basis she must manage with the kind help of her case manager, a barrage of drugs that leave her with debilitating side effects. I certainly don’t blame her for not wanting to take them.

Some days are more “clear’ and others a jumbled mess.  She is amazing how she copes from day to day and helps so many others in her building that suffer too. How she can do what she does as she knows there’s something not right about the chemicals in her brain. She remembers when her life was different. How she is saddened that she has to battle the voices that paralyze her with fear.

The one amazing thing that the mentally ill do know is that they cannot give up hope. The will to live and function a “normal” life is the quest that must be conquered.

I imagine as you are reading this, you may be surprised or shocked I am so open to share this story but I must. I write this to help you or anyone you may know who may have a family member who is needing help right now.  Mental illness is often shrugged off, stuffed in a closet or framed with denial. This can no longer continue. Your voice, “their voice”must be heard.

We have all had our moments of  sadness or depression. I have feared all my life that I too would be plagued but I fight the fight for my mother and others.  We have a saying in our family that has helped me stay strong without the heaviness of guilt and I hope it helps you or someone you have passed my story to and that is:

“The well must stay well.” 

We are on the verge of a crisis today, this evening and it breaks my heart to know that on her birthday she may need to be hospitalized for she needs to be stabilized and get back to a better functioning state, as she has been more challenged for more than a week. I am sad, very sad. If I could take her suffering, especially on her birthday I would lay down the rest of my life and do so.

The next time you see a person who may look a little disheveled, may say a few strange things or may have chosen an outfit that may not quite match, before you judge or assume, imagine if that was your mother or father or someone dear to you?

Mental illness is not a choice, it is a disease of the brain.  For more information and to help reduce the stigma of mental health, take the pledge as I have and thousands of others here at BringChange2Mind.org

I am hoping for my sweet mother tomorrow, a bright sunny day on her birthday and that the veil of fear lifts away and that the voices do not stay. There is more to this story but more importantly, I’d like to know yours.

Please use this space to share and express your experiences and knowledge to help us all have a healthier mind.

I sincerely appreciate your support and courage. Do not give up hope.

Suzie Cooney, CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC

Ironically, I discovered this from my hometown newspaper, The Sacramento Bee: Direct Link: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/21/5435986/glenn-close-narrates-groundbreaking.html

LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2013 – /PRNewswire/ — Award-winning actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close will narrate “A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness,” an inspiring documentary that tells the stories of everyday people to shatter myths about mental illness, highlighting the struggles faced by those with mental health challenges, and their hope, resilience and recovery.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/LA17793)

One in four American adults suffers from a diagnosable mental health illness in any given year, but many don’t seek help because of fear of judgment, isolation and discrimination.

Through the stories of real Californians, viewers of “A New State of Mind” will come to understand that mental health challenges are more common than they think, that they can be managed and that recovery is possible. Elyn Saks, professor of law at the USC Gould School of Law and author, former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy and five-time Olympic medalist diver Greg Louganis are among the many subjects profiled in the hour-long documentary.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/21/5435986/glenn-close-narrates-groundbreaking.html#storylink=cpy

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Here’s a peek at the forecast for May 11th & May 12th:

Register now or day of event. For more information click here.

The topic of shedding or losing weight is nothing new. So why then does everyone search for the quick fix or the one diet, magic shake , new trend, or little pill to solve this to do this for them ? That alone is a huge case study on the psychology of human behavior.

People assume that if you’re fit and healthy that it’s easy as I hear a barrage of reasons of why someone can’t lose weight. It’s simple, the bottom line, deep deep truth is, they’re not ready or don’t want to. I realize I’m putting myself out on a limb when I make a statement like this, but you’re still reading and you might be thinking, wow, how awful of me to say this.

I’ve heard it all, about the “why’s”  the “yeah buts” and “if onlys” to last me a life time. Just like I’m probably shocking you with my direct writing of my opinion here, as I normally am quite conservative in my blog entries. Now I am a compassionate and caring fitness professional and I do know first hand from my own experiences with illness and medical conditions, that sometimes medications or other real health matters offer a true layer of challenge that needs to be treated and approached in a different manner.

My daily dose of health! My reminder that my health is golden. View from my lanai on Maui

There is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow and the pot of gold is your health. But the clients I help and train are truly successful and will do anything and everything I suggest 100%, not half way, because they know I’ve been there. I walk the talk and I know what it’s like to be down and not as fit as I’m supposed to be.

If you didn’t know this about me, I’m the trainer who broke her legs in April of 2009 only to be in a wheelchair for three months, completely atrophied from the waist down, and still train from my wheelchair. My body changed, turned to mush, but the inside of my heart and brain did not. I did not give up and I was committed to myself and my clients more than ever. I had the fire.

What is your fire?

We often need a jolt to really shock us out of unhealthy habits or help us make that mind shift. What can sometimes happen is an unexpected health event, such as a heart attack, or blood clot or maybe a diabetic episode, or like me a stumble that ends up badly.

Your health matters and so do you as a person. I’m not saying this will happen to you, and I’m not saying you should wait until something of this nature happens. Please avoid these health events. There is a lot of life to live so please start right now!

Take the reigns, and take charge of your life. Think of the possibilities of how your life would look and feel in so many ways when you decide to do just that. Notice I didn’t use the word “if.” ?  Toss the Kleenex and wipe your tears of frustration and keep reading.

Shedding weight is more than just dieting, one has to be really ready so the results can be real and for life.  And by the way, dieting doesn’t work. It’s a word that causes us to fail.  So starting today, please take the word “diet” out of your vocabulary and replace it with simply “better food choices.”

Support in your corner is usually your own team of health professionals, loving friends and family; there to cheer you on and hold you up when you hit a bump in the road or feel you can’t go on.  No one expects you to do it alone, so reach out and ask for help. So here are my tips to help you get started:

Ten Tips To Help You Start Shedding Weight for Good

1. Make the decision – Just do it and commit.

2. Get a full physical from your physician and ask for a full blood work up.

3. Find a qualified, certified, personal trainer in your area that will be there for you in and out of the studio. You need someone to help you safely plot your training course that encourages you and makes you accountable. In my opinion trainers ( some are qualified ) are not fully qualified to monitor your nutritional needs and often are out of their scope of practice, so best to ask if they are RDs a Registered Dietitian. The best combination is to have both working together in your behalf. Trainers can offer great nutritional resources and offer fabulous guidance. I am certified by NASM.

4. Pretend you are flying at 10,000 feet above your life now, then zoom up to 20,000 and envision what you see yourself doing after you’ve shed the weight. What does that new life look like to you?  What are you wearing? What sport are you enjoying? Notice yourself smiling!

5. Get in the mind set that this will be work, it will be sweat and it will be being very uncomfortable 80% of the time when you train. If it isn’t you will not get the results. The remaining 20% of the time is you strutting around in your new, strong healthy body!

6. Allow for the normal ups and downs and side-way moments, but keep them brief pull up your shorts and keep moving. Surround yourself with people that inspire you, motivate you and make you happy. Shake the ones that are energy suckers, lazy or are negative Nellies.

7. Go Public: Tell the world, your friends and especially your family that you need them to support and help you not sabotage you. Expect some to feel intimidated and uncomfortable. This is not your problem, don’t take their stuff on. Having the world know your desires really makes it real. For example, start a blog, or make a FaceBook Page and let others cheer you on. You’ll help others too!

8. Toss away all the clothes you never want to see again, also known as “fat” clothes. Get rid of them now. This is a crutch tactic I see time and time again as a fall back just in case. In case of what?  You need to use your pants as a hot air balloon experiment. Get rid of them now

9. Take photos and measurements, make copies. Put them in your car, on the refrigerator, on your closet door. Photos do motivate. Take another set of photos six months from there. Weigh yourself once week not every day.

10. Start a daily food journal and do it religiously for 21 days. Guess what though, if you don’t enter each item you are only cheating yourself. My clients who really really do this well with every single entry recorded lose 50% of the weight faster than those who don’t.  There are great food diaries online or even better, phone apps to help you.

Every person is unique and has different needs, desires and goals. Being a healthy person is in your reach. Ask yourself what is getting in  your way of losing the weight you need? Is it as simple as, “you”?

The world is hard enough these days but the one thing we do have control over is our body. There is no time to waste,  your life is waiting for you!

We’d love to hear from you about your successes and how you’ve made a healthy life change. What was your “fire” that helped you make that life decision?

Quick resources to help you get started: Some of my clients use MyFitnessPal phone app. It auto populates and is easy and fun and I love to see the results of their hard work.   I also like Fit Day phone app.

Mahalo for stopping by and may good health find you. I wish you the best.

Suzie Cooney, CPT

Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC

Suzie is available for consolations and personal training on the island of Maui, Hawaii. She is also successfully coaching folks from around the world via SKYPE. Feel free to contact her through this website for more information. Don’t miss more great tips. Sign up today!

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Special Trainer’s Note from Suzie Cooney, CPT
 

 How to Be “Pro Self”

You can waste a great deal of time trying to find your waist line if you’ve tried without success. Are you on track after you’ve made countless New Year’s Resolutions year after year? Having a pro in your corner can make all the difference and save you lots of money, calories and improve your overall “life” performance.

Let’s face it shedding weight and getting toned, in either order can be difficult, frustrating and take a really long time if you don’t know how or where to start. We all need a cheerleader, a person to hold us accountable besides our boss or spouse; someone that can find a “fun” way to make it all happen.

If you’re ready to really get real, I’m real serious about helping you. It takes two and I can’t do it alone, so if you’re ready to hold yourself up, look in the mirror and start loving what you see, how you feel, you’re halfway there. You’re amazing!

I’m available via SKYPE world-wide or in person while you’re on Maui, or if you live local even better. Your health matters, how you feel about yourself matters. You don’t have to be a pro surfer, just the pro of yourself to be ”pro self.” Make the time, make the investment and your life will change.

Suzie Cooney,CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC

 Questions? Feel free to contact me through our website.

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Aloha salad lovers. I can’t remember when I first discovered the delicious taste of tamari seasoned pumpkin seeds but I recently discovered how amazing they taste on top of any salad or as a healthy snack. Nutrition for me and my clients has to be simple with no hype or nonsense.  The food I eat has to give me energy and be easy to prepare.

Pumpkin seeds have long been known as a great source of protein, about 12g for one cup. Along with a reasonable source of Omega 3’s and 6’s, and a decent amount of potassium, ( 588mg ) this raw green seed offers a great deal of nutritional value. These little seeds are also loaded with zinc, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and iron.

Although the calorie count is a bit on the higher side, like 285 per cup, if the serving for your salad is a quarter (1/4) that’s only 71 calories. I’ll take it! Think of it as sustained energy in the bank for later.

You certainly can enjoy raw and I do occasionally in my energy trail mix, but to add a little zing and flavor, I reach for the low sodium tamari seasoning. This is usually found in the Oriental food section of most health food stores, near the soy sauce.

The brand can find easily is organic and gluten free, no MSG called San J Tamari

First I preheat the oven to 350. I take two cups of organic, raw pumpkin seeds place in a bowl and lightly drizzle over the tamari seasoning, just enough to coat. I turn over with a spoon and then spread out on cookie sheet with sheet of parchment paper for about 5 minutes. They brown and bake quickly so keep a close eye on them. You may hear a few pops and then they’re ready. Let them cool on the cookie sheet

Now I have a delicious salad topping or incredible snack to put in my energy mix.

My salad dressing of choice is a quick blend of olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a teaspoon of honey and honey mustard, and a twist of fresh pepper and sprinkle of chia seeds.

Our garden on Maui has a melody of healthy dark greens, such as kale, spinach and a very exotic dark spinach called tatsoi along with a huge spicy bed of arugala and other greens that add so many amazing flavors. I will also cut a little basil and cilantro to add the variety of flavors.

I try to tell my clients and friends that nutrition and food doesn’t have to be complicated, simple is better, especially if it’s as good as these pumpkin seeds.

Let us know what you think and if you have any tips to share, please feel free to leave a comment or post.

Suzie Cooney, CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC

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References: Nutrition Data http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3141/2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatsoi

ALOHA & HAPPY NEW YEAR

What a way to surf into the New Year or as they call it SUPsquatching.

photo by Erik Aeder

This photo was sent my way via Matthew Murasko as he said I could share the mayhem with you all. This crew is absolutely nuts and they are definitely having the most fun here!  My crazy friends Matthew Murakso and famous waterman Archie Kalepa are doing all they can to keep this “thing” on the face of this big wave here on Maui’s N. shore and Matthew is trying to make sure it doesn’t pearl!  And the REAL crazy thing about this photo, Archie IS the fin.  He is steering with his leg I think.  ( C4 gets credit for the craft )

Archie Kalepa was inducted to the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame this past September. Read article here: http://www.lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/508532.html

You can meet Archie and learn more about his history and his legendary life as a Hawaiian Waterman at Maui’s TedEx Maui event, this Sunday January 13th, 2013. Here’s more about Archie and the event:

http://tedxmaui.com/2012/12/29/speaker-spotlight-archie-kalepa/

Well, it’s all in fun and sometimes you gotta let loose!  The guys are a bunch of great and inspiring ones. They will always have your back and will always be wearing the biggest smiles.

Mahalo Matthew and see you all at TedEx Maui.

Suzie Cooney, CPT
Owner of Suzie Trains Maui, LLC

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