Are you looking for the golden book to help you achieve your New Years resolutions? For a healthy 2013, here is one option: Ali Zentners The Weight-Loss Prescription promises to continuously entertained you while learning more about yourself.
In her words, this unconventional book will teach you more about yourself and your eating personality. She tells patients, This disease isnt your fault but it is your responsibility.
Zentner, a Vancouver physician who specializes in cardiac risk management and obesity, tells the stories of people who have overcome incredible odds to reach their goals and, in some cases, even saved their own lives. Zentner shed 175 pounds and counselled small-town Canadians on the CBC reality TV show, Village on a Diet, and in her book profiles many success stories, including her own struggle and eventual breakthrough.
I had the great opportunity to coach Zentner for the Honolulu Marathon, and was able to catch her in the middle of her book tour to talk about The Weight Loss Prescription. She will be signing books from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Chapters at Granville and West Broadway.
Q. How is this book different from other diet books?
Ali Zentner: The Weight-Loss Prescription is for anyone who wants to live healthy, providing an alternative to the standard diet book. It addresses better health in all aspects of life, not just weight loss. The book reads like a bit of a story where you are entertained while you learn. It invites you to share in other peoples stories, while you are writing your own. I believe every reader will be able to relate to them and if not, hopefully it will teach them empathy.
Q. How can people achieve their New Years resolutions?
AZ: Having a goal is the best motivator. But your goals must be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-sensitive.
Q: How can people can stay motivated?
AZ: I would have to narrow it down to four pieces of advice.
One: Although it is necessary to have a goal, focus on the process and not so much the results. It took me five months to train for the New York Marathon, which never even happened. You have to enjoy the process.
Two: Learn forgiveness, which might be the subject for my next book. Learning to forgive yourself will help when you fall off track. Humans learn by making mistakes, so allow yourself to have those mistakes. It is fine to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and by forgiving yourself you can quickly get back on track.
Three: I like to embrace the suck which means to embrace things you are not good at. If you can embrace things that suck, then you are one step closer to getting better at them and maybe even enjoying them. Moving towards your goal may suck at times, so learn to embrace it and continue to push forward.
Four: Lastly, I have to say that attitude is everything.
Q: What is your motivation?
AZ: My patients motivate me every day because they are the bravest people I have ever met. I also believe it is important to teach by example. How can I be telling someone to go for a walk if I dont do it myself?
Q: What are your goals for 2013?
AZ: I plan on racing the Subaru Vancouver Half Iron (1900-metre swim, 90 km bike, 20 km run) on July 14. After that, I need to go back to New York as I have unfinished business with the New York Marathon.
Kristina Bangma is a coach, personal trainer and writer with a love of riding and racing. Email questions to [email protected].
