Author gives new approach to weight loss, healthy living
- EMC News, by Erin Kelly

Roslyn Franken is extremely adamant that her new book, The A List: 9 Guiding Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive Living is not about dieting.   "It's not a diet at all," she stresses. "It is a guide for people to learn how to change eating habits and thinking habits about food." And if anyone knows how to change eating habits for the better it is Ms. Franken.

Looking healthy, confident and vibrant while sitting in her kitchen, the Barrhaven author says she has come a long way to being the person she is today.  Upon approaching turning 40, Ms. Franken says she was at her heaviest ever and realized that something had to be done about her weight and health.  While she had overcome cancer at the age of 29, Ms. Franken said she was perplexed by the thought that she could survive a possibly fatal disease, but could not combat her struggles with weight.  "I thought, why are my food and weight issues such a struggle when I have overcome cancer,"she explains.  "So I looked at everything I had tried in the past and why it had not worked for me.  I had used a lot of diets because I had been looking for a quick fix.  I realized I needed to be able to completely reprogram my relationship with food."

With no set deadline in her head of when to lose the weight by, Ms. Franken set out on a long-term commitment of revamping her lifestyle with healthy eating and lots of activity.  "Whether I lost half a pound per week or two pounds per week, even if I didn't lose any weight in a week, it didn't matter," says Ms. Franken, who is now about 40 lbs lighter.

"I didn't give up, I realized it is not about the food you put in your mouth, but your whole relationship with food.  I was able to let go of the whole quick fix approach to losing weight."  Letting go of the quick fix approach as a solution to weight issues is exactly what The A List tries to instill in readers, explains Ms. Franken, who now holds a masters degree in human systems intervention from Concordia University and certification from the Professional School of Psychology in California.

She says the most common quick fix for people trying to lose weight is to diet, which does not have a long-term impact because many people gain the pounds back soon after the diet is through by relapsing to old habits.  This also gives many people a sense of failure and lack of confidence, something Ms. Franken says she sees time and time again through the individual counseling work she does to help people maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.  "From what I have seen, too many people who struggle with food and weight spend way too much time beating up on themselves," she says.

When sitting down to write the book, Ms. Franken says she thought of ways to help combat the fear of failure and limited confidence people have when it comes to weight and food issues.  "I started by thinking of where it all starts and came up with the word Ambition, the first of The A List," she explains, referring to the first of the nine 'A' steps that takes readers through the book from Ambition to Acceptance "of a new you."

"The principles are meant for people to look inward to really tap into what it is that will work for them to have long-term success.  It helps people identify and conquer what holds them back from long-term success."

She adds it was primarily her own experience with food and what she sees through her one-on-one counseling as "things that work" that contributed the most to the book's content.  Meant as an easy read, the book is structured in a "workbook" format with questions an space for answers in each chapter, which Ms. Franken used to get readers reflecting on their progress an find out what is working for them.  "This is meant to be used as a book that people can come back to for motivation and inspiration, it is not just a one time thing.  It gives readers realistic and practical tools to help them make better decisions in their food an life choices and feel proud at the end of the day."

Ms. Franken also stresses that the book is not solely intended for people hoping to shed some weight, but also for those in need to adopt a healthier lifestyle.   "Just because someone is slim on the outside, does not mean they are healthy.   This book is not just about physical well-being, but also mental and emotional health.  It is a holistic approach," she explains. "It (The A List) is a way of life and about having a really good feeling of health."

Positive feedback has been pouring in since The A List was released this past fall, with many attesting to the benefits of Ms. Franken's healthy living approach and the author says she couldn't be happier about how she is helping others. "I want people to feel that they can do this and renew their sense of hope and confidence and feeling that "yes, I can do this."

"People tend to think they should be able to do it on their own and are afraid to reach out.  There is no shame in getting help if it means being happier at the end of day."

The A List is available online at www.roslynfranken.com.   Ms Franken also offers free consultation session, which can be held over the telephone to lessen the intimidation factor many have toward counseling.  For more information please contact Ms. Franken at 613-843-0155.

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