Parlez-Vous Francais?

Thirty years ago I spent a college semester abroad in France, and the first thing you notice when you're in France is that the only fat people there aren't French. Despite petit dejeuners of bread with jam or butter-laden pastries, and butter and creamed soaked lunches and dinners (accompanied by lots of alcohol and cigarettes), the French are positively gaunt looking.

Part of it is the portions. The French give you smaller portions (and charge smaller prices) then we do here in America. An American croissant looks like it had a dose of steroids compared to the French version (which tastes so much yummier as well because French flour isn't as refined and processed as it is here in the US).

But the other part of it is that the French naturually incorporate additional exercise throughout the day. Remember that burning an extra 50 calories a day can mean a 5 pound weight loss by the end of the year.

Well, the author of French Women Don't Get Fat gives some advise on how French women "exercise" which you can find here: http://www.wowowow.com/style/getting-fit-sans-la-gym-379607?page=0%2C0.

What's notable is that much of the advise is just simple stuff that anyone can do without joining an expensive gym. Some of the notable methods of French "exercise" include:

1. Don't save steps, multiply them. Always take the long way, or park your car as far as way from where you're going as you can.

2. Do discreet isometric exercises throughout the day.

3. Do light resistance training with 3 to 5 pound weights.

4. Use Your bike as transportation.

5. Do Yoga.

6. Take the stairs.


"Vive la France!"