WATERLOO - Dr. Robin Smith's message is simple: "It's all about truth"

It's a theme that runs through her newest book, "Lies at the Altar: The Truth About Great Marriages" and one she shared with the 1,200 attendees of the Speaking of Women's Health: Building Blocks for Healthy Living event.

Smith, a licensed psychologist and frequent guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," served as the afternoon keynote speaker at the event, held at the Five Sullivan Brothers Center Friday. In an interview with the Courier shortly before she addressed the crowd, Smith addressed how important it was for women to focus on themselves.

"It's about figuring out who you are. We spend a lot of time figuring the other person out - our sisters, moms, husbands," said Smith. "It's backwards. First I need to discover me."

Smith said women often feel selfish if they focus on themselves, but caring for our own needs is the first step in caring for others in our lives.

"If you're not taking care of yourself, how will you give anything to anyone else?" she said. "If you're not resting when you need to rest, if you're not drinking enough water - they seem like little things, but those are the big things."

Smith's presentation, titled "You've Got Mail - Downloading Personal Power and Deleting Stress from Your Life," addressed the different messages people receive in life, both from society and in interpersonal relationships.

"In a sense, society and family are one in the same. A family is a microcosm of society," said Smith, adding that she encouraged women to look at why they do the things they do.

"Why do I believe this? Is it because my mom told me or because it makes sense? Why do I keep going to a Thanksgiving dinner that's not working for me?"

"Lies at the Altar," said Smith, takes some of these same principles and focuses them specifically on marriage.

"I'm so pro-marriage, but I'm smart about it. If one person is awake and their partner is awake that's far more exciting than a Hollywood marriage that's unrealistic and doesn't last," she said.

Smith's chapter titles touch on the traditional wedding vows - "From This Day Forward," "To Love Honor and Cherish," "For Better or Worse" - that most people could probably recite from memory, with Smith addressing what each really means.

"How can I cherish you if you can't cherish me, and how can you cherish me if I can't cherish myself?" asked Smith. "It's impossible."

Smith's talk was the culmination of a day full of activities catered to women. Delivering the morning keynote address was Holly Clegg, a popular cookbook author who gave audience members her "Trim & Terrific" philosophy about preparing healthy meals for families.

"My message is simple: food that's good for you can also be delicious fast and easy! I like dishes that can be on the table in 30 minutes and are made with familiar ingredients," said Clegg in the Speaking of Women's Health brochure.

During morning and afternoon breakouts, audience members could choose to attend different demonstrations that applied to their lives, including "Stop Trying and Start Doing … Keeping All the Balls in the Air," "Building Blocks for Exercise" and "Breast Health, Hot Flashes & Beyond!"

In addition to national speakers, breakfast and a luncheon, those in attendance enjoyed exhibits and screenings at multiple times throughout the day.

One interactive health exhibit, called "Living with Migraines: The Painful Reality," offered those who had never suffered a migraine to experience a virtual reality migraine simulation. Created by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., the simulation follows a day in the life of a woman experiencing a migraine attack.

Other interactive health and beauty activities included a blood glucose screening, a beauty IQ test, a heart screening, free massages and tools to keep personal finances healthy.

Contact Kelsey Holm at (319) 291-1464 or kelsey.holm@wcfcourier.com.