Hey loves,
Today’s blog post is inspired by my trip to Paris where I saw some of the most naturally beautiful, slim, healthy and fit women. In this post, I cover the 8 healthy habits of French women.
From the sports that they partake in, their sensuality and passion for life and the small portions that they indulge in, this post reveals their secrets!
Also included in this blog post are ways to implement these life-changing health habits!
Habit #1: They walk everywhere
French women are notorious for walking everywhere instead of using a car or public transportation.
It is this habit that guarantees that they don’t gain weight and can maintain a slim physique. You will often find these women walking for long distances or use their bikes to stay fit.
“Indeed, about 65% of French people walk briskly 7 days/week, whereas only about 50% of Americans walk briskly 5 days/week (source).”
They might play tennis or swim as well, not just confining themselves to the gym. They also walk around with groceries or use the stairs, basically finding any excuse to stay active.
“They walk everywhere, some women (not all) participate in sports they love and shop daily for their food and then carry ten pounds of groceries up, sometimes, five flight of stairs to their apartment. They take strolls after dinner, and their sex life is typically very active.”
How to implement this habit:
Start walking everywhere! Make it a habit to use the stairs instead of the elevator and aim to move as a way of life.
While you are working, start by doing 20-30 squats every hour that you are seated or invest in a mini walking treadmill that you can use as your work.
Walk to your grocery shop if it’s nearby, walk to the coffee shop or your appointment. You will find it becomes easier the more that you do it!
Habit #2: They exercise for the pleasure of training instead of results
French women love to feel good, it is obvious in what they choose to indulge in and how they live their lives with sensuality and passion.
If they are going to be physically active, it will be by doing an activity that they genuinely enjoy. You won’t find them doing a bodybuilding program that they hate or indulging in the latest HIIT trend.
If they enjoy yoga or football or running, you will find them sticking to that. What keeps them consistent is their love for their sport, this differs from the ultra-discipline centered American modality.
“The French value athletic activities in general, and instead of doing exercise programs to lose weight, they exercise because they enjoy it. Most French people can name at least one regular physical activity they do, be it yoga, working out at the gym, hiking, biking, dancing, football (soccer), etc. However, they are usually never doing high-intensity and high-frequency exercise programs, which are often unsustainable and lead to failure.”
How to implement this habit:
Try out new sports and workout programs. Make it a priority to find something that you enjoy doing and once you find it, then stick to that!
Habit #3: They eat smaller portions of foods they enjoy
French women are not deprivation-minded. They don’t believe in the adage that we should eat for fuel instead of pleasure.
They, instead, indulge in foods they like but make sure to eat smaller portions of it.
French women don’t deprive themselves of the good, rich food their country has to offer; they eat small portions.
How to implement this habit:
If you are craving a hamburger (which is actually high in protein) then indulge in it! Make sure it’s a small size or only eat until you are actually full.
Live a life of flexibility with food choices but restraint in portion sizes.
Habit #4: They don’t snack in between meals
This habit surprised me but I noticed it as soon as I set foot in a French grocery shop. I could barely find a single-packed snack.
There were little to no individual sized healthy bars or protein bars to snack on after my workout! I instead had to buy the whole pack of my craving or snack of choice and ate it when I get home!
I wondered why but as soon as I observed my French friends’ eating habits, I noticed they hardly ever snacked.
If anything, they would have a fruit, dark chocolate or a coffee but there were no snackers on the street!
“If French women get hungry between meals, they tend to opt for unsweetened yogurt, a piece of dark chocolate (at least 70%), or oleaginous fruits.”
I also found out that the French government warns their citizens against snacking and tells them that it is an unhealthy habit that causes weight gain on their labels.
“Snacking is also admonished by the French government. Indeed, it requires all advertising for fast food and snack products to include a warning. One of those warnings is: “Pour votre santé, évitez de grignoter entre les repas,” which suggests that snacking between meals is an unhealthy habit and causes weight gain.”
How to implement this habit:
Eat more during your main three meals so that you no longer have cravings in between your meals! If you must snack, then aim for a Greek yoghurt, protein bar or fruits.
Don’t go for the three snacks all at once or the sandwich in between meals! Unlearn this habit by slowly not feeding it.
Habit #5: They eat slowly
French people are slow eaters and spend over two hours a day eating and drinking. They savor their food and are taught early on to wait at least twenty minutes in between courses.
“According to a study conducted by the OECD, French men and women spend over two hours a day eating and drinking, double the time spent by Americans, the quickest eaters and drinkers in the OECD (source).”
You will hardly find them rushing through a meal or eating while walking or standing as eating for them is a mostly social event.
“Traditionally, French people take a long lunch, and food is savored rather than bolted. And we know now that eating slowly is associated with less intake and lower weight, as it gives your gut more time to send your brain chemical messages telling you’re full.”
The French are mostly discussing politics, religion and a myriad of deep topics that warrant sitting and socializing.
How to implement this habit:
Aim to eat slowly by chewing more and taking your time with the duration of your meal.
Strike up a conversation with somebody, focus on something besides your hunger and you will lose more weight and get fuller quicker.
Habit #6: They prioritize feeling good
The typical French woman is in touch with her sensuality and has a lust for life. She does not have the masculine drive that many other Western women has for discipline and structure.
She does not see fitness as something to check off her to do list so you will not find her as willing to commit to a gym as her main source of fitness.
“She finds nothing sensual in wasting two hours of her precious day driving to the gym, changing clothes, pushing and pulling on some sweaty machine and surrounding herself with grunting males full of testosterone (she saves that for the bedroom).”
This point goes against the gym-centered advice I typically give on here but the gym isn’t a pleasurable experience for everybody.
Most of my French friends didn’t even have a gym membership and were opposed to the idea of getting one when I suggested it!
I do think passion for the gym can be acquired but then again, me possessing it doesn’t mean everyone else can or would want to!
French women enjoy the more sensual and pleasurable sports: a walk in the park, a slow and intense session of yoga or Pilates or a swim at the club!
This pleasure-seeking mechanism makes them more committed to their sport of choice.
How to implement this habit:
If you were seeking pleasure and sensuality while you trained, where would you find it? Explore a new avenue of training, try new sports and see what resonates with your soul instead of your ego!
Habit #7: They eat natural, whole-foods
French women focus on eating natural, whole-foods instead of processed foods. You will find them eating vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses as part of their daily diets.
The health benefits of eating this way are numerous and can lead to weight loss and less health problems over time.
How to implement this habit:
Ditch the processed snacks and meals! Just stop buying them. Instead, buy fresh organic and healthy ingredients and start cooking at home!
You can start with one small healthy home-cooked meal a day and work your way to eating this way for the entirety of your day!
Habit #8: They drink water with their meals
French women drink water during their meals. They have a glass before and after their meals and sip on water throughout their meals as well.
This ensures that they have a beautiful complexion and a smaller appetite as well. Water during meals keeps them full and allows them not to overindulge.
How to implement this habit:
You can invest in a Stanley cup or an aesthetic looking large water container to inspire you to drink more water! Simply bring it with you during meal times.
You can simply get into the habit of drinking water while you eat. Start by having a glass at the beginning of your meal and by having one at the end of your meal as well.
In conclusion, French women stay in shape by consuming smaller portions, by walking everywhere, enjoying their sports and by not snacking! We can easily implement these habits into our daily lives!
Sources:
https://leoncechenal.com/how-french-women-stay-slim/
https://schoolofselfimage.com/french-feminine-secret-8-make-everyday-an-active-affair/
https://thegoodlifefrance.com/how-do-french-women-stay-slim/
Comments (3)
This post is such a refreshing reminder that fitness doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym—it can be as simple as making movement a natural part of your day. I love how French women’s approach to staying active is about weaving exercise into their lifestyle, whether it’s walking everywhere, biking, or even carrying groceries up flights of stairs. It’s such a practical and sustainable way to stay fit!
The suggestion to take strolls after dinner really stood out to me—it’s such a calming, mindful way to wind down while staying active. Plus, it’s inspiring to think about how these habits reflect not just fitness but a balanced and joyful approach to life. I’ll definitely try to incorporate more walking and everyday movement into my routine—thanks for sharing these insights! 🚶♀️✨
Anytime, Faith! I’m glad you enjoyed reading them! ❤️ I hope that incorporating these tips can help you along your health and fitness journey. I really appreciate your wonderful insights!
[…] previously written on the secret of how Parisian women stay fit which is mainly walking everywhere. London is no different, their people walk […]