French Women Don't Get Fat

French Women Don't Get Fat"
by Mireille Guiliano

This book by Mr. Guiliano is a lovely little read to those who want to know the ultimate secret not only in getting and staying thin and healthy, but to know and practice the (lost) art of eating with pleasure.

"French Women Don’t Get Fat" tells the readers about this art that they have probably known all along (depending on how one was raised), but due to the changing times, the complexity of life, and other priorities, was set aside, left to be forgotten. It gives simple, logical, and practical tips, not gruesome strict regimes, on how to lose weight and be on a diet, without actually dieting. Sounds paradoxical right? Maybe at first, but in a deeper level, not so, because after reading the last page, this so-called French paradox is probably one of the most rational and practical way of thinking and being.

The book said, and to which I fully agree, that food is not the enemy here. It's how we view eating, our attitude towards food, what we eat (quality vs. junk) and the way we handle it that makes the difference. It further tells the reader that it is boredom that makes us consume more food, and that this probably is one of our real enemies. I do not want to divulge much on the full content of the book, but in summary, here are the major points:

- 3 weeks observing and jotting down everything you eat
- Re-casting: rounding up the usual suspects, adjusting what you eat, changing how you eat
- Ritual preparation: use all the senses when planning meals. Mind the seasons and seasonings used.
- Ritual Eating
- Variety: boredom leads to overeating
- Portion Control
- Water!
- Movement, breathing, posture
- Balance.

One should see, feel, and sense, experience, and enjoy the pleasure of eating, rather than eating merely to fill our stomachs and satisfy our hunger. Which is why I totally abhor what people often call lunch meetings. For me it is utter disrespect towards the bounty and blessings served in front of us. I mean, how can you concentrate on eating when you are talking business, or vice versa? Sure, good company and good conversation further enhances your eating experience. But really, do topics and agendas for the meeting count as good conversation topics?

All my life I have been pleasantly (but to some unpleasant) slim, and it is just now that I am experiencing weight gain (Major contributor? Being in love I guess). Still, quite a lot consider me as underweight - I am currently 100 lbs., and at 5'3 that may be so. I correct them though that I may be under the "normal" figures, but I am definitely not undernourished. My friends can attest to that; they are amazed (and finally accepted so they are no longer surprised) as to how much I eat (the "right" kinds of food), and eat with gusto. One even commented that she didn’t like eating next to me, because whenever she sees me eat with so much satisfaction, she gets carried away and eats more than what she originally intended to. Well, they just don't know that I compensate in other ways – I adjust my food intake after a big gastronomic exercise. I am also not too keen on anything sweet with lots of sugar and I am not a big eater of junk food either so that is probably one balancing factor. Plus, I only eat when I am hungry, so that is on the average 3 times a day. A "bad" practice though is not eating breakfast, just drinking water in the morning. I know, it is the most important meal of the day, but I just couldn't take food in the morning, and I don’t want to force myself. It's just not right (for me at least). But I am trying gently.

I also connected with the book when I read the part on exercising. I did try to go to the gym, but after a month of going there once or twice a week, it still wasn't my cup of tea. Maximum effort, minimal pleasure. I don't think so. My form of exercise was and still is walking… at the mall, or walking in nature parks, and sometimes, yoga. Lately though I tried to go back to the gym, but on a smaller scale - our office gym. I however focus more on the treadmill and doing yoga poses. My colleagues are amazed and actually laughed when after "exercising" I ate. "What’s the use of exercising when afterwards you eat?" of which my answer was, "I exercise to keep my body moving and to be in tip top shape and toned, not to lose weight."

Again, it goes back to attitude - towards food, eating, movement, body, self. More importantly, it goes back to our attitude towards life.

If Mireille’s book truly gives us the secrets of the French as to why they are not fat, then I must be French. But no, I am proudly Filipino. And Filipinos do love eating, and when it comes to life, have a fairly positive outlook and disposition. How else can we explain our national greeting "Mabuhay," which roughly means"full of life?" The French may probably be just more known when it comes their gastronomic pleasures and their constant pursuit of la joie de vivre. However, anyone can, like others say, "be like the French." But going back to the simple (not!) topic on food. I repeat once again that it is our attitude towards eating and food that makes the difference between being fat and unhealthy and being thin, but still healthy.

The next time you eat, anticipate pleasure. Smell the aroma of your food; feast your eyes on how it was presented. Savor each and every bite you take. And at the end, acknowledge the satisfaction you get from each and every meal you take. Gain a few pounds? If it matters, then round up the usual suspects and do a little adjusting. If it doesn’t matter, then so what right? As long as you are comfortable with your self... that is what matters.