Dearest:   Tonight's guest is Debra Waterhouse, internationally recognized nutritionist 
and best selling author of "Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell", "Why Women Need Chocolate", 
"Like Mother, Like Daughter", and her newest, "Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cell: 
Winning Weight Control Strategies for Woman over 35 to Stay Fit Through Menopause". 

An expert in women's health and a leader in the "anti-dieting" movement, she has been 
featured on radio and TV programs, including Dateline, 20/20, Good Morning America, The 
Today Show, and CBS This Morning. 

Through her private practice, seminars, and workshops, she has inspired hundreds of 
thousands of women to accept the realities of their female bodies and embrace a natural 
non-restrictive approach to eating and weight control. It's a formula that has worked for 
her. 

Debra, welcome to Power Surge :)  You say, with your approach menopausal women can achieve 
a fit, healthy body ... metabolism, and bring their menopausal body and mind back into 
balance. Is it that simple to change a metabolism affected by hormonal fluctuations? 


Debra Waterhouse:   Nothing with menopause is simple.  
It takes an understanding of what your body is going through and action.  But it can be 
done!

Metabolism can be boosted with weight training and small frequent meals.  It drops 
10-15% during the transition, but it can be almost 100% prevented.


Ladyc_2000:   Exactly what is the fat cell?  and is it present when your 
premenopausal?


Debra Waterhouse:   We have 30 billion fat cells through
our life.  During menopause they grow by 20% and become more active and stubborn.  Women need 
active fat cells for prgnancy. breastfeeding and menopause.  We need to store more fat for 
estrogen production when our ovaries call it quits. 


Dearest:   Debra, can you explain the principle about the 
body storing calories it can't use in the moment as fat?  Is that the reason you recommend 
eating smaller amounts more frequently, so the body utilizes the calories? 


Debra Waterhouse:   Any food we overeat is converted to 
fat -- that includes apples, bread, chicken, and chocolate.  By eating small, frequent meals 
-- you prevent overeating any food, and prevent your fat cells from growing.


Dearest: Why do you recommend not letting more than four 
hours go by without eating? 


Debra Waterhouse:   When you're overhungry, your metabolism 
slows down, you overeat at the next meal, and store more fat.  4 hours is a good indication that 
you didn't overeat at the last meal and you won't overeat at the next one. 

Dearest:   Deb, it really can be very simple without the rigors 
of dieting. Thanks!  


Glory:   I will have to stop taking HRT. I have gained lots of weight I have to lose.  
I don't want to start measuring everything!


Debra Waterhouse:   You don't have to measure anything.  
In fact, I recommend that you don't.  It's dieting and never works in the long run.  
Instead, use your hand.  If you eat about a handful of food, you are taking in the right 
amount. 


Glory:   forgot to say - I have to stop the hrt due to too many bad side effects.


Dearest:   Deb, don't you say something about not eating more 
than you can hold in the palm of your hand?  Is that reasonable for a meal?


Debra Waterhouse:   HRT can cause weight gain -- estrogen 
stimulates more fat storage.  Going off might help. Dearest, I just answered that hand question.  
A handful of food, 5 or 6 times a day, is what Tufts Univsity found to be most instrumental 
for menopausal women.


Dearest:   Thanks, Deb. 


Wordgirl:   How CAN you control those chocolate cravings, anyway?


Debra Waterhouse:   Chocolate cravings can be managed, not 
controlled. If you try to find the willpower to restrict, they will only intensify.  Instead, 
recognize them as a message from your body that you need the fat and sugar 
and phenylethylamine (a mood boosting chemical).  If you're healthy.  
The best way to manage them is to satisfy them immediately with a small amount, 
let go of the guilt, and go on with life.


Dearest:   Deb, what with hundreds of diets, gyms on every street, 
infomercials for every kind of weight reducing gimmick, why do we still have an epidemic of obesity? 
Is it that diets simply don't work?


Debra Waterhouse:   Diets are one of the causes of obesity.  The typical woman
has lost 100 pounds through dieting only to regain 125.  We're fatter because we dieted.  
If we stop dieting today, we'll lose weight and be a smaller nation.


Dearest:   Fascinating. Thanks. 


Debi:   I think she just answered it.. I have been overweight all my life and HAVE to 
loose.  and now it is only harder.


Debra Waterhouse:   As we grow older, it may be harder, but it's not impossible.  
The best thing you can do is exercise.  It is the answer to everything.  For meno fat 
cells, we need to exercise longer -- 45 to 60 minutes to force that fat out. 


Callie:   Deb, I'm 59, have mitral valve prolapse so was told not to work my heart too 
hard.  Also loved walking, but had foot surgery and have nasty heel spurs. What kind of 
exercise would you recommend for me?  We don't live close to a pool, either.  the closest 
is 25 miles away.  I really need to do something, but have to keep my optimum heart rate 
around 120-126, no higher or I feel like passing out. I've been trying to watch the carbs, 
especially white flour & sugar.


Debra Waterhouse:   Wow, that's tough.  A pool would be your best option, 
but what about a stationary bike?  Can your feet handle that?  If all else fails, check 
out a gym and see if they have a bike you peddle with your arms.  It works.  
When you're ready, maybe you can start walking on flat ground too. 


Callie:   No, will try the gym in town.  A long drive, but may be worth it.


Debra Waterhouse:   I have one more thing to say about the carbs -- 
don't cut them too low.  You need them for mood stability and body energy.  

I don't the believe the "protein is great, carbs are bad" way of life. 


Marge:   How many calories should we have to lose weight? 


Debra Waterhouse:   I don't go by calories because they change every day
depending on your health, stress, and the humidity outside.  Instead, listen to your body's 
hunger.  If you eat when your body tells you it needs food and don't overeat -- then that's 
the perfect amount of calories for your body at that given time.


Glory:   I have heard that carbohydrates in general are a NO NO, what is your perspective - 
also, what if the chocolate is a "meal"? 


Debra Waterhouse:   I like the chocolate meal -- so I'll talk about that first.  
What's worse, eating some chocolate for dinner tonight -- or -- eating a standard 
meal and then eating chocolate and feeling full, bloated, and storing fat while you 
sleep.  Chocolate for dinner every now and then is yummy -- if that's what you really 
want. Now the carbohydrates.  As I said before -- they are a yes, yes.  You need them 
every day.  Too much protein can cause osteoporosis and kidney stones.  Eat some carbs, 
just don't overeat them.


Glory:   I get it. Thanks - your book is GREAT!


Grace:   If you can only eat a  handful of food, what is a sample meal? Also, do you have 
to eat first thing in the morning even if you are not hungry? I cannot seem to stomach 
anything first thing in the morning, especially if I have to teach an exercise class. 


Debra Waterhouse:   If you're not hungry in the morning -- don't eat.  
Listen to your body.  A sample meal would be a bowl of cereal with fruit, a half a 
sandwich, a yogurt and half a bagel, or a dinner meeal with much smaller portions.  You 
can eat anything -- it's the amounts that count. 


Hormonequeen:   Since my hysterectomy I seem to be gaining more and more weight even 
though I try to watch what I eat. Why is it most women who are postmenopausal gain 
weight in their tummies? I never had a stomach until now. It seems like our shapes 
change so much. Isn't it bad enough everything is starting to sag and then to look 
like we are 5 months pregnant?! 


Debra Waterhouse:   You're not alone.  It happens to 
all women because the fat cells in the waist are called upon to produce some estrogen for 
you.  Fat cells in your other body parts can't do it, so out waist grow.  A woman's body 
is fascinating!


cdan:   Is there any exercise that really works for the stomach?


Debra Waterhouse:   Crunches tone the muscles undernealth the fat -- 
but only aerobic exercise burns the fat on top.  Any type of aerobic exersice 
including walking with decrease the fat in your tummy. 


Ariel:   Does low body temperature (under 98 degrees) contribute to an inability to lose 
weight easily despite healthy eating, exercise and active lifestyle? Normal thyroid also.


Debra Waterhouse:   A low body temperature does not necessarily mean anything
unless you also have low thyroid.  A body temperature of 97 may mean your thyriod is 
dropping.  Just exercise -- it will warm you up when you're not having a hot flash. 


Athena:   So how do you get rid of fat cells in the form of cellulite?


Debra Waterhouse:   The same way you get rid of any fat -- with exercise,
patience, and not overeating.  As you lose body fat, your cellulite will lessen, but women 
are more likely to have it becasue we have thinner skin.  Have you ever heard a man complain 
of cellulite? 


Dearest:   Yes, on women :) 


Debra Waterhouse:   Very funny :)


Tink:   What is the book saying about after 35 to get rid of the fat cell or fool it?


Debra Waterhouse:   There is no way to get rid of fat cells -- except
liposuction.  Women are born with stubborn fat cells that are ignited in puberty, have a 
celebration in pregnancy, and rejoice in menopause.


Debi:   Water.  We hear how important it is. Do you agree and how much is good and is hot 
water as good (just plain) as regular ice water? 


Debra Waterhouse:   Any kind of water is great.  If it's at room temperature 
it is absorbed more quickly,  You need 6 to 8 glasses a day to hydrate your body. 


Dearest:   Debra, thank you for a fascinating and informative chat. 
Be sure to pick up a copy of Debra Waterhouse's "Outsmarting The Midlife Fat Cell" 
and Debra's newest book, "OUTSMARTING FEMALE FATIGUE"

Be sure to visit Debra's Web site at  www.waterhousepublications.com

Debra Waterhouse:   My pleasure. It was fun. Good luck everyone.



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aka Alice Stamm
Power Surge
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