Cinda:  Before I introduce our guest, I would like announce that Dearest is not feeling well 
tonight and expresses her sincerest regrets that she could not be here tonight to host the  
chat. She has asked Mary and I to continue with the chat because she feels this is such 
an inspirational story.  

Now I would like to introduce Dearest's guest, Julia Griggs Havey. Julia tried every get-thin-quick 
gimmick and nothing worked. She eventually dieted her way from a size 8 to a 290 pound size 24 
and resigned herself to a matronly figure and plus-size clothing. Then, one fateful day, Julia 
received an anonymous note informing her that her husband was having an affair. It was just the 
wake-up call she needed. 

From that moment on, she changed her attitude and took charge of her life. Fifteen months 
after the poison pen letter, she had divorced her husband, changed jobs, lost over 130 
pounds and later married and was crowned Mrs. Missouri. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Hi, everyone. 


Cinda:  Julia, thank you for joining us tonight! Your book seems to be a perfect fit for the 
Power Surge G.I.G.S.(tm) Program (Getting Into Good Shape). 

Even though weight loss becomes an important issue for many women in menopause, it also 
seems to be an epidemic in the nation. There is something written about it every week.
Why do you think this has become such an issue? 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Thank you, Cinda.  Weight loss has become such an issue because obesity 
is now the leading cause of preventable death in our nation.  It isn't just dieting to get 
into a bikini now, it is about saving our lives.  And yes, as we age, it is only harder to 
lose weight. 

One the of the funny things that I discovered is that as we age our metabolism slows by 7%.  
Now, in school they teach us many things that serve us in life but that is one thing I wish 
they would have mentioned! 


Cinda:  True! Although I think I remember not paying attention to something about healthy 
eating in Health class. 

One more question to help explain about your book and then we'll go to the queue. After the 
holidays and all that wonderful food, weight loss becomes one of the most popular New Year 
resolutions. Your book discusses the motivation, the visualization and realization that you 
need to succeed. Can you elaborate on that? 


Julia Griggs Havey:  More women are dying every year from obesity related causes than from 
smoking, that is scary. We all ignore the facts until it is a serious problem.  Motivation 
is the key to weight loss. 

How many times have we all gone on the latest craze diet with the determination that once we 
'start' it 'tomorrow' that we will succeed but then the tomorrow arrives and the diet is so 
strict and so regimented that we have trouble adhering to it for the duration, much less the 
first day.  I know you all have been there and know what I mean! 

Now, when I finally got it right, I stopped fad dieting.  I stopped relying on pills powders 
and potions and started to rely on me.  I started to visualize the life that I wanted.  Why 
losing weight was so important, we can't just say "I want to lose weight".  We have said 
that for too many years with out results, so let's acknowledge that just wanting to lose 
weight doesn't get us thin. 

But, when we start to visualize why why we want to lose...What it will really change 
about our life and where we want to go.  What we will be doing differently when we are 
thinner and then...Start doing that now...Then you are on your way. 

And that is the stuff that motivation is made of! 


Cinda:  You have a truly inspirational story Julia.


FitToBe:  Julia, did you ever feel afraid to lose it? 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Hi, FitToBe, you bet I was afraid to lose weight.  I was in a loveless 
marriage to a man that was never around, alone with two children, 290 pounds, unhappy and 
stressed over money, diet failures and the last thing I wanted was to be thin and face being 
single! 

So yes Fit, I was scared.  I didn't like what I had become, but the unknown of what life 
would be like thin sure did scare me!  But, life threw me a curve. 


Cinda:  Julia, but now you can't imagine not doing this? 


Julia Griggs Havey:  We get very comfortable in our lives. We think that if we lose weight, 
so much will change and we won't know what our role is then.  There are so many dynamics at 
work but the key is and the thing you must all tap into is that obesity is unhealthy. 

I am not professing that we strive for size 4 perfect super model bodies...not at all...but 
let the fear of a premature death scare you more than the "what ifs" of how will life be 
and...to let you in on this...it will be great! 


Cinda:  True Julia, and I would think obesity ruins your self-esteem 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Obesity is so much about self esteem.  It is hard to say what came 
first with me, low self esteem or the weight but it is a vicious cycle once we are in it. 
For sure! 


Aunt:  How do we lose that Buddha belly that so many of us menopause women seem to acquire? 
I don't use fad diets or pills. I do exercise, but jeez it is hard to lose the belly.!!!!!! 
What are your suggestions?  


Julia Griggs Havey:  Don't be shy, I will answer any question you throw at me! I had a 
Buddha belly, but my biggest issue was my rear end, Aunt.

But for any weight loss (and you can't target a spot) don't believe that fads that tell you 
super abs in x number of weeks etc. You have to lose weight.  It will then come off from all 
over your body. 

Now to control a bit where it will come off you can add exercise in and a lot of sit ups in 
that regime!  The biggest plus that you can do for yourself is to add weight training even 
twice a week.  Muscle burns fat, makes you tone and tightens your body. 

I am 40 and in the best shape of my life  I haven't hit menopause yet, but I think I clearly 
have had hotflashes and night sweats...So it is knocking at my door! 


Cinda:  Ugg sit ups! Julia, I was recently chastised by my doctor for my blood pressure. 
Guess what she told me, to lose weight and eat RIGHT. What eating regime did you prescribe 
to, since it wasn't a fad? 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Cinda, what I prescribed to and would offer to you is what I call vice 
busting.  I don't think that traditional dieting (i.e. the fads) work.  They don't work for 
long term and can be dangerous in the short term.  Vice busting has you identify the worst 
habit that you have and then go about eliminating it from your life.  The vice for me was 
ice cream.  This concept will be very new to you all, no one talks about giving up one thing  
they all want to you change everything about your eating and lifestyle overnight. 

I don't do that to you.  I take your worst habit and work on that first.  You would be 
amazed how many women...and many my age and older...have lost tremendous weight doing this. 
One woman identified that she was drinking 10 - count 'em 10! - soft drinks a day.  One year 
ago, we busted that vice and she is now down 87 pounds.  Of course, other habits were 
changed in the course of a year but she will tell you she is not dieting.


Aunt:  What type of exercise did you do? 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Aunt, lack of exercise is a vice and, for exercise, I think you have to 
find what you like and what you will do and then do it! 


Cinda:  Yes Julia, my doctor had me read Sugar Busters to give up sugar. She said to just 
give up Sugar. I'm trying. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  The difference between me and Sugar Busters, is they have you eliminate 
all sugar, from everything and that is hard. I take on one sugary thing at a time. 


Cinda:  I'll try to remember that, Julia. 


Trysh:  How did you deal with the new you after you lost so much weight? I myself years ago 
took off a lot of weight (program 800 cals a day) and got down to 150 pounds...it lasted not 
even a year. I didn't know that person, neither did people I had known all my life... Was 
strange to deal with after being heavy all my life. Needless to say I'm back up where you 
started. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Trysh, You can't live for the rest of your life on 800 calories a day 
that is why it came back on.  And it happened so quickly that you didn't have the gradual 
self improvement. 


Trysh:  No, was just for weight loss.  A paid program.  


Julia Griggs Havey:  Process time to get used to it. I know, I have tried those too!  There 
are so many get thin quick plans but if you get thin on liquid and then go back to your 
"normal" life - the one that got you overweight to begin with - what happens?  We gain it 
back and then some. 


Trysh:  I had trouble identifying with this new person I didn't know. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  You must lose weight in a modified eating way that brings about real 
lifestyle change.  I lost 130 pounds!  It took me 15 months to do it in and during that 
time, I got in touch with me. I identified why I wanted to change, what I wanted out of 
life.  Made a plan to go for it and when the weight was off, I was ready for the changes
it brought.  And yes, you are a new person.  

As obese, I was sedentary and lethargic.
Thin, I am active and never sitting. 


Cinda:  Great advice Julia. 


Madge:  With all the conflicting ideas out there...eat fewer carbohydrates, eat more 
proteins, etc. how do we know what to do? And because of health issues, I can't walk or swim 
as much as I used to.  How did you know what to do? Guess some of my questions have been 
answered since I started typing this. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  You interest me Madge!  Very much. It is very confusing and the thing 
is, one thing won't work for all of us. If I told each of you to bust the vice of ice cream 
out of your life it might be effective for one or two of you.  But chips...
Or cookies...
or pasta... 
or fried foods... 
or fast food... 
...might be the others vice 


Madge:  OH, gosh!!! That means give up...chocolate!  


Julia Griggs Havey:  So my approach lets you decide what areas need work in your life. 

Madge, if you are eating so much chocolate that it is keeping unhealthy weight on you 
wouldn't it be logical to readdress if you need it? If we were talking about drugs, the 
answer would be easy. 


Madge:  Yes. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Well...obesity kills more people than drug abuse but all the experts 
tell you moderation is ok.  I say no. If you have a serious problem with a food item, you 
are better off without it and trust me you won't feel deprived. I promise. Guess how long
it has been since any ice cream has passed my lips. 

8 years! Derived? No way!  


Cinda:  Wow Julia!  


FitToBe:  Julia...you just said (a while back) the sentence I so long to say...I am 40, and 
in the best shape of my life...I will be in 3 months...anyway, my question is about the food 
part...I am doing great with the cardio, and weights...but the food...agh!!! Julia, can you 
come live with me for 6 months...hahha...if I could just focus on me...I could do this... 


Julia Griggs Havey:  I was deprived when I was obese...deprived of optimum health. Yes, Fit 
I can come live with you for 6 months but you wouldn't want that. LOL

The food is a problem because of the way you have approached it.  Before we are done 
tonight, I have a free gift for each of you. A 3-month on line weight loss support program 
and daily emails and a download ebook of my new workbook. 

I promise that it will help you get past the food issue!  


Cinda:  Julia, you are very gracious.


ChocChip:  I have reached my weight loss goal,and now trying to maintain. How do I stay 
focused with all the temptations, especially during the holidays, and others in household 
bringing home unhealthy foods? - I won't go out and buy unhealthy foods, but once it's
there in my face..I can't resist.  


Julia Griggs Havey:  Choco, great question!  Here is how I do it. If I am going to a party, 
I call the hostess and offer to bring something. That way I know there will be one thing 
that I can have. Then, I drink club soda and lime. Alcohol really loosens up our 'willpower' 
so avoid it or limit it. Then, choose the healthier of the options that are there.

I haven't had my Mom's awesome apple pie in years. I remember how it tastes, so I don't need 
to have it to know it is good. 

Limit nibbles to new things you have never had and try to stay on the healthy end of it 

And one last thought on that.  Holidays are for family, traditions and celebration...not 
food.  We have made food the focus but challenge yourself to talk and listen more than eat.  
You will have a better time and be thrilled in the morning that you didn't over eat! 


ChocChip:  Great, thanks Julia - will try your suggestion. 


Cinda:  Julia, my doctor also told me to try to eat only things that can be grown, picked, 
harvested, etc. She said to shop on the outside perimeter of the grocery store and stay away 
from processed foods. How do you feel about this suggestion?  


Julia Griggs Havey:  Cinda, I say hang on to that doctor.  I offer the same advice and agree 
100%. 


Cinda:  Thank you Julia.


Lak824:  Julia, I just wanted to say, I ordered your book, just before the chat tonite.
I am a single mother..husband left and my last child left for college, so I'm alone, 
depressed, fat and yes, its one vicious cycle..I want so much to turn my life around,
so, I'm hoping this is the beginning for me.  I have tried everything. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Lak...I am with you every step of the way.  I have been there, I do 
care and you can email me any time! 


Marbles:  Julia, is all this covered in your book?  No way will I remember all this :-) 


MaryO:  Dearest will have the transcript up in a few days, too, Marbles.


Julia Griggs Havey:  Julia@JuliaHavey.com 
It is in the book, too! Marble, it is!  I promise you all that weight loss is easier than
we have been led to believe. I really think the diet industry (a 40 billion dollar a year 
industry) feeds on our failure. There couldn't be new products each year if what they said 
really worked. They would put themselves out of business. 

Trust your instincts. You know what is not healthy. You know that water is needed for your 
body. You know that sitting around makes you gain weight and get upset. Exercise gives you 
god's high...the best feeling you will ever know and taking control over the weight that
you think is bigger than you...frees you! 

Trust me! 


Cinda:  Julia, you are still very motivated by this. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Cinda, it is my life. I love my new life, my health, my energy and I 
want every other woman to have it too! And they can! I am not going to stop until we are
all empowered, healthy, fit and happy.  Small goal, I know...but it will happen! 


Cinda:  We do too Julia. 


Lak824:  I did want to say, I also have fibromyalgia. It's SO hard to exercise.


Julia Griggs Havey:  Let me ask you all a question.  Do you want to lose weight? 


MaryO:  YES! 
Cinda:  Yes! I do 
Lak824:  YES 
NancyV:  Yes 
IreneCrites:  I sure do.
Lak824:  OK


Julia Griggs Havey:  Many of my readers do, I am not familiar with a lot about it, but I 
know you can control your eating at least, so let's address that first. 

Oh...ok, you do want to lose weight! 


Cinda:  Yes! 


Julia Griggs Havey:  Are you sick of fad diets and failing at them? 


Cinda:  YES! 
Lak824:  yes 
NancyV:  Yes
chansen:  Yes 


Julia Griggs Havey:  And most of all losing only to gain it back? 


Cinda:  Amen! 
Lak824:  Yes 
meh206:  Yes 


Julia Griggs Havey:  I lost 130 pounds in 15 months. 


MaryO:  Done that :( 
chansen:  I know 


Julia Griggs Havey:  I have kept it off for 8 years. I am not deprived.  I do not count 
calories, obsess over food. I changed! I created a lifestyle that supports good health and
I am happy. 

So logically, why would I want to go back to the obese unhappy me?  Step by step. One action 
at a time. 

I reinforced my positive steps and forgave missteps, as they are bound to happen. 

Sorry, I encouraged shouting out like a revival meeting! 


Cinda:  I think many of us will be buying a copy of your book tonight. I know I do not want 
to count calories. and I want to be happy (and get my BP down).  That's okay Julia, we need 
to shout out every once in a while. 


Aunt:  You are so right about holidays. People tend to concentrate more on the food than on 
the joy of the company. Thanks Julia. You are a beautiful person both inside and out. No 
wonder you won Mrs. Missouri. My vice is chocolate. I am trying desperately to overcome it. 
I believe with your help that I can achieve this. 


Julia Griggs Havey:  We just finished our first 3 months of customers who used it, the most 
someone lost was 36 pounds.  The average was 20. You can handle that for the next 3 months! 
Right ladies! 

Aunt, let me tell you a fun thing we do now at dinner. For a large family gathering we 
interview someone, usually my Dad, and we have him tell all the grandkids stories about his 
life.  It makes the meal time so long. We sit and laugh and talk and the focus isn't on 
food. It is so positive and fun and healthy! And my kids really get to know their Papa! 

If you're interested in a support group for the Lifechanger, you can  find out more here. It is a 
3 month e.book/e.mails and support. However, as a special treat for only those who attended the 
chat, I am offering 3 months free of the Lifechanger program, a $49 value. Those who are 
present at the chat E.mail Dearest with the name you were logged in with. Only those who 
attended the chat will receive this special offer. 


Cinda: Julia, I know Dearest would have loved to have been here, so on behalf of
Dearest and Power Surge, thank you for joining us tonight to discuss weight loss and your book, 
"Awaken The Spirit Within: From Overweight to Looking Great - If I Can Do It, 
So Can You."  I hope you'll return again when Dearest is back.


Julia Griggs Havey: I would love to do it again, any time! Thanks for the opportunity to
share my message. Carpe Diet!



Disclaimer:  Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose
opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an 
endorsement of a guest's views.

None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without 
the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest.

Read other transcripts by returning to the Library.


Dearest
aka Alice Stamm
Power Surge
Founder, Facilitator, Host


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