Why French Women Are So Skinny:
(No, not all. But most. A higher percentage than Americans to be sure)
1. Walking. Walking. Walking.
When you ask how long it takes to get somewhere, the answer is given in terms of walking. It is expected you walk. Everywhere. To the grocery. To the bakery. To the restaurant. To the post office. Driving? Who does that? Wasteful American! Yes, there are metros BUT you have to walk to get there (the nearest metro from my house is a 20 minute walk). I LOVE this part of life here.
2. Walking in High Heels.
Short heels are out of the question. We are talking stilettos. Everywhere. I went to the French version of Wal-Mart late one night, and young and old the women all were wearing their stilettos. (If you go to Wal-Mart late at night in my hometown, that is not what you will see…) Which also means the walk home, carrying all of your groceries in these heels. Who needs a gym when you get this workout everyday?
3. The Food!
While SO good and not healthy by any standard, the portions are so small it hardly matters. The French know how to take their time and enjoy even very small amounts. I got a cup of coffee the other day, and literally took one sip and that was it. It was gone.
And because the portions are so small, there are about 8 meals a day. Which, any nutritionist would tell you that is what the metabolism is meant to exist on anyway.
4. Models. The sidewalk is a runway, maybe the women try to compete with each other?
5. Wastefulness is not common here. They buy only what they need and no more. Use what they need and no more. For example, I bought an entire loaf of bread – and two days later it was moldy. There are no preservatives or additives in the food. If you buy it you are expected to use it within a day or so, buying or using in excess is not the norm.
6. Daily life is more active.
Beyond what I already mentioned, there a simple things like very few people have dishwashers. Out of choice. So, after a meal, you hand wash all the dishes and put them away. The French are anything but lazy.
7. The value placed on appearance.
One of my favorite things to do is observe elderly women here. With their Prada bags and Jimmy Choo shoes. Bright red lipstick and matching hair. So much make up! And don’t forget their tiny dogs taken everywhere. When I think of elderly women in America, who end up wearing sweatshirts with bows or scenes sewed on the front-it is just a very different culture.
Le Voyage 