Fitness and personal trainer Sioni Albert Junior Yuen takes his time when shopping because he only puts into the trol­ley items with the lowest calories.

Mr Yuen Junior, 19, believes there is a demand out there for people to live, eat healthy complemented with the right type of training.

He lives with his grandparents in Nasinu and his puppy which he is yet to name.

His grandparents migrated from China 39 years ago while his par­ents have returned to China with three of his five siblings.

He is number three; his eldest brother and a younger one are liv­ing in New Zealand.

“I miss my family but I am lucky to be with my grandparents,” the former Yat Sen Kindergarten, Pri­mary and Secondary School stu­dent said.

“After finishing school I enrolled into the Australia FIT College at Goodenough Street,” he said.

“The course was supposed to be for 12 weeks but it went on for 12 months.”

Mr Yuen graduated early this year with his Certificate 3 (Fitness Instructor) and Certificate 4 (Per­sonal Trainer).

“I got into it apart from my being a fitness freak I learnt the people were always getting their fitness tips from the internet.

“This I think it is grossly mis­leading, a waste of time and mon­ey.

“My friends are always asking for tips so I decided to go and learn the dynamics of keeping fit and eating right.”

Mr Yuen usually shops for his grandparents. It is because they are farmers and do not have time to shop.

In saving money Mr Yuen be­cause he conducts most of his trainings in Suva shops for the family.

He shops on a fortnightly basis but sometimes weekly depending on what is happening on the home front.

He is particular with what he buys but first, he does not enter a supermarket unless he has a shop­ping list or if it is necessary that he buys something.

“I definitely go for foods low in calories, sodium and fat,’ he said.

“Though my grandparents cook I sometimes skip and cook for my­self because their dishes are too oily.

“I practice what I preach.

“A smart shopper and health con­scious person should always com­pare items and ingredients tables on every item.

“Take for example an orange juice has 135 calories per cup yet in a cup a tea minus sugar there is zero calories.

“That is where a shopper and consumer with common sense comes in handy,” he said.

The Yuens only buy fruits, meat, chicken, rice and dairy products from the supermarket. Most of vegetables are harvested from their farm.

Meanwhile Mr Yuen is suspend­ing all his training sessions indef­initely because he is preparing for eight week weight loss workshop at the Yue Lai Hotel at Flagstaff from September 19.

“This is a good time especially before Christmas and New Year,” he said.

“It is open to everyone – it is a full package including unlimited weight loss programme, two to three personal training sessions, nutrition planning, body meas­ure, before and after programme photos and seminars.”

The eight-week programme costs $230 to 250 per person.

Mr Yuen can be contacted on 7483583/2988852.