As we settle into the New Year, it’s a 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, but not everyone is as lucky to live on a tropical island, 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 in the simplest ways…

Make YOU a Priority. Exercise or do an activity you enjoy each and every day. Make an appointment with yourself in your calendar or phone, so that nothing gets in your way. It works for me.

Choose Health. Embrace your life as it is today, and strive hard to make everlasting healthy lifestyle choices.

Build Your Support. Surround yourself with people that challenge you, inspire you and believe in you. It really makes a difference! I like to surf or do sports with people that are pretty aggressive. It keeps me on my toes and makes me a better surfer. I also have several mentors that act as my compass. Who is your compass?

Love Your Body. 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. People with negative body images have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem and obsessions with weight loss. I often come across training clients who have a vision of how they want to see themselves vs. who they really are and how their bodies are made. Genetics, medical conditions and other physiological factors play a role in how our bodies take shape.

Forget New Year’s Resolutions. They don’t work. Chunk it down and be realistic with your fitness goals. People expect not to keep their resolutions so it’s almost self defeating. Treat your goals as process or journey. Reward yourself with a new workout top, new surf board, or whatever makes you happy!

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

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

Aloha and Mahalo, Suzie

SUZIE COONEY is a former sponsored motocross racer and windsurfer who currently fills her time surfing, stand-up paddling, windsurfing, mountain biking, snowboarding and riding motocross. She is a professional fitness trainer… {more}

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