Attended HealthyLiving Lecture series "Healthy Habits to Survive Menopause" last night at The Quarter Bistro. Rossana DeGrood, MD and Medical Director of Women's Health Services at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, provided so much information that I cannot even begin to share it all here. I urge those who were not able to attend to try to make her next lecture. Yes! it was that good. (Visit sjmercyhealth.org for classes.)

Just a couple items I was able to jot down that were "shocking" or really news worthy to me that I will share. For starters, 90% of women experience hot flashes. Yay! I'm in the norm. And as someone who is often cold this is a side effect that not only doesn't bother me but I enjoy. A little burst of warmth during my day...mmmm.

Next big one…are you ready? As we age we simply cannot eat like we use to and maintain our girlish figures. An additional 100 calories a day can equal 10 pounds at the end of the year. Ugh. Yes, a puny little 100 additional calories a day. What does that look like? Well for fun, here are 100 healthy calories:

One cup of strawberries equals 99 calories. Twenty grapes equals 68 calories. One medium apple equals 72 calories One cup sliced peaches equals 66 calories One cup of cherries equals 91 calories One cup of blueberries equals 83 calories One cup of pineapple equals 74 calories One cup of melon balls equals 60 calories One small banana equals 74 calories One large orange equals 86 calories

(source: www.helium.com)

Not so healthy 100 calorie snacks:

Five Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Drops Two Mrs. Fields Decadent Chocolates One-fifth Toblerone bar Four Andes Bars Three Nestle After Eight Mints

(Source: www.fitnessandfreebies.com/Itsyourhealth)

A great question was asked about belly fat. Oh, that dreaded middle section that seems to grow with each additional year after age 45 or 50 (my stats not the good doctors).

However, Rossana DeGrood, MD said that as of today there has been no data to show that there is any hormonal relationship to the belly fat women seem to gain after menopause.

On the positive side, a guest at the lecture shared her own personal data about belly fat. An avid runner, this guest said she was able to make a distinctive difference in her belly through weight training targeted to abs. She saw no difference through her regular running however, once she started targeting an extra workout for her abs she saw a significant difference.

No one said it would be easy to be beautiful ladies!

So on that note I'll sign off. Here's to inner and outer beauty!

And remember, don't let your plans take you away from enjoying today.

NOTE: You may want to subscribe to Saint Joseph Mercy Health Systems newsletter Midlife Issues for Women to get up-to-date information on maintaining a healthy life.