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Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell: The First Weight-Control Program Designed Specifically for Women
A revolutionary breakthrough in the weight-loss battle, developed by super nutritionist Debra Waterhouse. Shocking new evidence reveals that women's fat cells are different from men's and dieting actually makes women's fat cells multiply. Debra's special 3-month OFF program (Outsmart Female Fat) helps women shrink those troublesome fat cells.
- GenresNonfictionFitnessHealth
238 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
3 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 15, 2019
This is a book I have come back to several times. It helped me make exercise a part of my life, and could help anyone do just that, with a plan to get yourself able and in the habit of 40 minutes of steady aerobic exercise every day. It has a lot of practical advice for healthy eating, but I think it needs to be updated. I understand it was last updated in 1999. I think it's time for an update, as some of its information is obsolete, but its advice for starting an exercise program, even if you've never exercised before, is unsurpassed.
July 15, 2025
This book has helped me a great deal.
February 21, 2016
Due to some serious health issues that I have, I have been doing research for a very long time, which includes reading books that seem to have something to offer to help the issues I personally suffer from.
One thing that I noticed about this book is that it has some of the same information on how fat cells work, how to not get fatter, how to successfully lose weight through the right kind of exercise, as I have read in books such as Smart Exercise, that Wheat Belly book, The Zone, The Hilton Head Metabolism Diet and even Food for Life. All of which, no matter how any person reading this may feel about them personally, are advice books which have a track record of success. I checked up on it, mostly through reading Amazon reviews, as it turns out, as there are a great many people who are very willing to put their two cents in about what worked for them. And, yes, I have seen proof that these were real people and not bots. I do my research! It's my life that's on the line if I don't get things right.
I am currently reading this book, near to being done. It is pretty easy to read and pretty easy to understand the principles of. For reasons that it does not address certain aspects of my health, I find that I cannot follow this plan in total, but, I will say this and hope it helps you:
The basic things she tells you to do to lose weight are the basic things I ended up doing for myself (daytime eating, only eating when hungry and until comfortable, not denying myself anything (except what I was allergic to), but, making any treats part of the total meal that would take me to a feeling of comfortableness, lots of walking, etc. It wasn't enough for me, because of other issues, but, still - I went from at least 313 lbs to 249 lbs and I kept that weight off for years, through much turmoil and people stealing my groceries, just by doing the best I could. All the way up until I took the advice of a magazine to give up wheat for two weeks and then try it to see what happens.
The giving up the wheat was a great idea for me. The trying it again was disasterous. I did gain back about 20 lbs., but, even though I have not managed to give up wheat again, yet, I have already lost 10 of them all over again and kept them off, by, again, doing my best to eat in the daytime, get some exercise, eat as healthily as possible without feeling deprived and all that jazz.
I am working on finding out what the elements are that I need to bring together for my own plan that addresses my total concerns as much as possible. When I have it, I intend to write my own book, in hopes of helping other people in similar circumstances.
But, I'd say for the average woman, who isn't riddled with allergies and other issues, this book I am reviewing is a great plan. And, for the ones who are - well, nothing that she says to do would make things worse and it will probably make them better. After all, she does also say to learn to listen to your own body!
One thing that I noticed about this book is that it has some of the same information on how fat cells work, how to not get fatter, how to successfully lose weight through the right kind of exercise, as I have read in books such as Smart Exercise, that Wheat Belly book, The Zone, The Hilton Head Metabolism Diet and even Food for Life. All of which, no matter how any person reading this may feel about them personally, are advice books which have a track record of success. I checked up on it, mostly through reading Amazon reviews, as it turns out, as there are a great many people who are very willing to put their two cents in about what worked for them. And, yes, I have seen proof that these were real people and not bots. I do my research! It's my life that's on the line if I don't get things right.
I am currently reading this book, near to being done. It is pretty easy to read and pretty easy to understand the principles of. For reasons that it does not address certain aspects of my health, I find that I cannot follow this plan in total, but, I will say this and hope it helps you:
The basic things she tells you to do to lose weight are the basic things I ended up doing for myself (daytime eating, only eating when hungry and until comfortable, not denying myself anything (except what I was allergic to), but, making any treats part of the total meal that would take me to a feeling of comfortableness, lots of walking, etc. It wasn't enough for me, because of other issues, but, still - I went from at least 313 lbs to 249 lbs and I kept that weight off for years, through much turmoil and people stealing my groceries, just by doing the best I could. All the way up until I took the advice of a magazine to give up wheat for two weeks and then try it to see what happens.
The giving up the wheat was a great idea for me. The trying it again was disasterous. I did gain back about 20 lbs., but, even though I have not managed to give up wheat again, yet, I have already lost 10 of them all over again and kept them off, by, again, doing my best to eat in the daytime, get some exercise, eat as healthily as possible without feeling deprived and all that jazz.
I am working on finding out what the elements are that I need to bring together for my own plan that addresses my total concerns as much as possible. When I have it, I intend to write my own book, in hopes of helping other people in similar circumstances.
But, I'd say for the average woman, who isn't riddled with allergies and other issues, this book I am reviewing is a great plan. And, for the ones who are - well, nothing that she says to do would make things worse and it will probably make them better. After all, she does also say to learn to listen to your own body!
September 28, 2008
In some ways, this is a typical self-help book; it's got gimmicky writing, embarrassing typos, and punctuation errors. It's written for the lowest common denominator, and the concepts are dumbed-down. BUT-
I think it's 100% good advice. The basic idea is:
Healthy eating habits + Exercise = Fat Loss
Who would argue that? I'd recommend this book to anybody who needs an overview of that formula, along with a plan to put it into action. Though I'm not really following Ms. Waterhouse's plan, I did appreciate the tutorial and the practical suggestions for healthier living.
The chapter about fatty foods depressed me, though, since apparently every food I like (including TOFU!!!) is high in fat. Boohoo.
I think it's 100% good advice. The basic idea is:
Healthy eating habits + Exercise = Fat Loss
Who would argue that? I'd recommend this book to anybody who needs an overview of that formula, along with a plan to put it into action. Though I'm not really following Ms. Waterhouse's plan, I did appreciate the tutorial and the practical suggestions for healthier living.
The chapter about fatty foods depressed me, though, since apparently every food I like (including TOFU!!!) is high in fat. Boohoo.
November 12, 2010
Short, easy read that I wish I had 10 years ago. Debra Waterhouse gives simple, clear info on why our bodies hang on to weight. A former boss recommended this book to me 5 years ago, and I ranted and cursed when I first read it. Since then, I have cleaned up my eating habits (see Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food"), and have slowly upped my weekly exercise to at least 5 hours a week. No gimicks, just smart eating and learning to take time to take care of my body.
June 21, 2015
Interesting nutrition book about how women lose weight differently. Explains the science and then outlines a program of changes one should make. NO dieting (!!!) since female physiology is programmed to protect fat stores for up to 9 months (guess why? Lol). Instead this focuses on eating only when one is hungry and at times of the day that the metabolism is active. I'm eager to try the methods out.
April 29, 2010
The title really explains the most important thing I learned from this book; ("Disclaimer" - this rule does not apply to every person in every situation.) But generally, not eating when you are really hungry sends a signal to the body that food is not coming and so begins to store fat so that you will not starve to death. I found that quite interesting.
November 17, 2009
Understand how the female body was created and how it works. Very useful information and easy to read.
January 9, 2015
Good, sensible, easy to follow ideas and approach. There were a few things I wasn't overly keen on, but overall, a good read with reasonable, helpful suggestions.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews