Suzie Trains Maui BLOG

Aloha and Merry Christmas! As we approach the New Year, it’s time for many of us to take special inventory of family, life and our own personal health. I am so thankful for being on Maui and to surf on Christmas; a tradition in my house!

Not everyone is as lucky to live in Maui and surf, eat fresh fish, and simply enjoy the natural healthy lifestyle that surrounds us. But even if you are in the coldest place in the world, you can embrace health even in the simplist ways:

1. Make YOU a priority each and everyday to exercise or do an activity you enjoy.

2. Embrace your life as it is today, and strive hard to make ever lasting healthy lifestyle choices. Surround yourself with people that challenge you, inspire you and believe in you. It really makes a difference!

3. Look in the mirror and like what you see. Having a healthy body image and loving yourself inside and out is contagious and I think very attractive.

4. Forget New Years resolutions…. they don’t work. Chunk it down and be realistic with your fitness goals. Reward yourself with a new workout top, new surf board, or whatever makes you happy!

And 5. Reflect back and see where you are now and where you want to go; in life, love and health.

Wishing you all that you love to come your way. Be strong in every step you take. Try something new!

Happy Holidays,

Suzie      Photo by Simone Reddingius :http://www.flickr.com/photos/by-simone/

Suzie Cooney is a contributor the The Maui Weekly.

Click here to read more about Increase Muscle Mass and why you should too:

http://www.mauiweekly.com/page/category.detail/nav/5015/Suzie-Trains-Maui.html  

To contact Suzie Cooney, CPT
808-283-2121
e: Suzie@SuzieTrainsMaui.com

Aloha Friends!If you’ve always wanted to have a private personal trainer, this may be for you!

I’ve been experimenting with a few clients and I’ve decided to offer something new and fun for those on a tight time schedule and budget.Express Workout  – Suzie Trains Maui. Train with me, get fit and have fun in half the time!  Join me in a supervised, custom workout that targets all muscle groups including cardio.  Enjoy surround sound while you pump it up and make the most of your time.  I’ll be safely pushing you during your workout depending upon your ability. We are constantly on the move. Heart rate is up and we’re having fun!

To maximize the benefits, your 30-minute workout consists of both resistance training and cardiovascular training.

I can make a wonderful a workout for you with two-thirds resistance training and one-third cardiovascular training. In a 30-minute workout, that’s 20 minutes of resistance and 10 minutes of cardio. Yes, just 10 minutes. But 10 strong minutes!

Each workout is different!  It’s a great way to jump start your week or get motivated again.  Call me for details. 

**All new clients are required to have a pre-fitness assessment.  Towels and water provided. Assessment includes photos, movement observations, flexibility review, blood pressure screening and lifestyle review.

For more information, Call Suzie at 808-283-2121    www.suzietriansmaui.com/blog

Aloha,The Today Show recently aired this segment and I have worked with this before with my clients.  It’s quite and eye opener and reveals some of the truths of our eating behaviors and how certain social groups/friends and family in our life can influence how much we really eat.  Take a few minutes and see for yourself. For example, women who eat with other women tend to eat more and are less self conscious vs if say you were on a hot date!

I’ve often suggested to people that if really can’t say no, to maybe change friends just for awhile until you can manage your eating habits so you won’t pack on the extra “social” pounds.  Don’t be afraid to say “no thank you, I’m full”. Or “you know I’m sure it’s delicious but I’m good for now, you enjoy.”  Also, if consuming more cocktails or other alcoholic beverages, you may become less uninhibited and could invite unwelcome additional calories.  Tip: Before you bite, take a drink of water, bite, water! Slow down and take your time. Or use chop sticks!

I hope you found this information helpful.  Call me if I can help you get your eating habits in shape!

Your fan,

Suzie Cooney, CPT  

Suzie Trains Maui,  808-283-2121

Aloha,

Ever get confused on how to choose the right energy drink? Take a moment and listen to some helpful information that will make a huge difference the next time you may opt for a quick boost. Whether you are hitting the waves for a big session or having a nice walk on the beach, know how to choose the right energy drink to keep you going!

This audio clip is from the Maui Breakfast Club. Maui’s number one rated talk show every Friday from 7am -8am. Tune In The Maui Breakfast Club: with Tom & Kellie Health & Fitness Specialist, Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui KAOI 1110 AM Join Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, Co-Host Kellie Pali and Maui Weekly Special Correspondent Trisha Smith. “If it’s Friday, it’s the Maui Breakfast Club.”

For a more in-depth information,  you can read my article:  How to Choose the Right Energy Drink here.

Thank you for visitng, and I hope you found this post helpful. Be sure to refuel your body and hydrate!

In good health,

Suzie Cooney, CPT

Suzie Trains Maui

When this happens, they can’t do as much physically, so their performance declines when surfing, playing golf, hitting a tennis ball or even carrying a bag of groceries.

Muscle holds a lot of your body water and is essential for regulating body temperature. Muscles are big spenders and burn lots of calories 24/7. When people are on restrictive diets ( bad ) the body is tricked into believing it’s on a deserted island with minimal or no food – therefore as a natural defense mechanism, the body attacks it’s most active tissue, muscle in order to SLOW down the body’s metabolic rate.

There are wonderful health benefits of building muscle:

     Increases endurance and flexibility
     Protects your joints (reducing risk for injury)
     Increases your energy level and boosts metabolism

The math: If you gain 1 pound of additional muscle tissue which can burn 35-50 calories per day…over the course of a year you can burn 91,250 calories a year! Fat burns 2 calories per day.  On average, the amount of muscle gain when performing a resistance program, a person can gain 3-5 pounds ever 3-4 months. Keep in mind that this will vary greatly depending upon age, genetics, and type of training program you are performing.
Continue reading Keep The Weight Off and Join the Muscle Mass Today

Hi, I recently posted the intermediate version of this, but wanted to take you outside to show you the advanced version! These push ups will promote better surfing endurance and shoulder, chest and tricep strength for quick action. Often times, if you are out of surf  shape, your arms burn out fast.  It’s a real bummer when the surf is pump’n and your not! Even if you don’t surf, give these a try and you really be challenged. These are probably my most favorite exercises. Have fun! Suzie

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Muscle Group(s): Triceps, shoulder and chest, core. Challenges the upper body and core while increasing strength and endurance, and mimics board movement on the water.

Equipment: Indo Board, Inflatable disk, BOSU

 Progression: Raise one leg off the ground, or place feet on a BOSU dome or another inflated disc.

Preparation: Assume the push up position. If you are a beginner, you can bend your knees. Make sure the disc is centered underneath the Indo Board. NOTE: If the disc is over inflated it will be much harder, than if it’s softer. Also, by bringing your hands closer together, you will target the triceps and chest more. Wider positon, more shoulder girdle involvement.

Extend legs behind you, either on ground, another disc or as pictured, the BOSU.

Movement: From the start position, lower your chest to the Indo Board and then press up into the push up. Make sure your neck is neutral and bum lowered. Push up with the strength of your entire shoulder girdle back to a straight-arm position. You may also hold and make this a core plank exercise. Hold in this position 15-30 seconds.

If you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you!   Baithing suit, Posh Pua.

Aloha, Suzie

Equipment

This is a semi-advanced exercise that targets the triceps, shoulders and chest and is what I have my surfers try. Even great for non-surfers!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Muscle Group(s): Triceps, shoulder and chest. Great for core stability and mimics what your surfboard might feel like underneath you! I love this one.

Equipment: Inflated balance disc and the INDO Board

Progression: Raise one leg off the floor, or place feet on a BOSU dome or another inflated disc.

Preparation: Assume the push up position. If you are a beginner, you can bend your knees. Make sure the disc is centered underneath the INDO Board.

Start

NOTE: If the disc is over inflated it will be much harder, than if it’s softer. Legs extended on floor.

Movement: From the start position, lower your chest to the INDO and then press up into the push up.

Finish

Push up with the strength of your entire shoulder girdle back to a straight-arm position.

Repeat movement sequence for recommended repetitions.

Rip it up!

Get your INDO board here.

Questions, call  Suzie Cooney, CPT
808-283-2121

Suzie Trains Maui
www.suzietrainsmaui.com

Work Out Traps: A Few Tips So you Don’t Fall In One!

Break out of the fitness trap, and don’t be like the others stuck in the same routine, and the same body. You see the same person, at the same time on the same treadmill or weight machine, doing the same routine.  But, do they look any different?  You say to yourself, “is that me?” Here are a few tips to avoid falling into the same work out trap and get the results you desire.

1. More is Not Always Better

Lifting too much weight can compromise the alignment of your spine and may cause muscle and ligament injuries. Heavier is not necessarily better. Watch your form and avoid swinging weigths or overloading the cables. For example, although very popular the lat pulldown machine can be very dangerous if one loads up with too much weight.  Maintain a controlled movement and pace, and avoid the rocking back and forth movement that tends to come with too much momentum.  Keep your spine properly aligned and stay in control on the way down.

2. Where’s the Beach? There’s more to train than just the bicep!

Most people love to train the bicep muscles, because it tends to respond to training rather quickly.  I think of the muscle man at the beach who, says, “ladies, the beach is that way,” while he flexes his bicep muscle and the girls swoon.  Have you noticed that when you’re at the gym, everyone’s doing a bicep curl. People love to look in the mirror and flex their guns. Yeah, it looks great, but it’s the smallest upper body muscle, so don’t forget your legs, your back, shoulders and abs too! Balance your workout for total body conditioning. Continue reading Work Out Traps — A Few Tips So You Don’t Fall In One!