How the French stay thin without the gym. No, this isn’t about a magic drug, it’s about how fake the gym is and how one gets enough exercise by living right, rather than by torturing ones self in the artificial environment of the gym:
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/autumninnewjeans/4-ways-french-women-stay-thin-without-the-gym-515174/
Snippet:
“From the 15th floor windows of my New York City apartment, I have a clear view of a big and many windowed “health center,” (aka a four-story gym complex). September is one of the gym’s busiest months. Right after Labor Day, active women, who I hope are incorporating daily outdoor activities with a seasonal summer flavor into their daily routines, flock indoors to the gym and an artificial routine of treadmills, exercise bikes and medieval torture devices. I see them sweating early mornings and late at night from my windows. I see them going and coming from my daily walk as I pass the gym.
It is a sign of the times — but also our American culture — that many women seem to have only two modes: sitting or spinning. They’re either avoiding even the slightest heart rate increase (like those women in my apartment building who take the elevator to the second floor) or they’re sentencing themselves to hours at the gym as punishment for their indulgences throughout the day. So often I see the begrudging look on women’s faces and hear the phrase, “I don’t want to go to the gym, but I have to.” Pourquoi? If you are eating mindfully, and eating the correct portion sizes, you don’t have to torture yourself on those metal contraptions or run a marathon to stay trim. French women reject the notion of “no pain, no gain,” opting for a more pleasurable notion of mild, sustained exertion. We prefer all-day movement, what I like to call “the slow burn,” and we practice it as second nature instead of attacking it like boot camp.
I agree, but some people work a 9 to 5. desk job and cant move all day long. They dont have much choices after work, especially in the winter months with less daylight and with a family at home waiting for them. So if you have the luxury of being a “stay at home” worker or mom its probably alot easier to have “all day movement”.
exactly. granted there are lots of people who choose to move less (Esclators instead of stairs, find the closest parking space) but as a whole not everyone has a life that will allow them enough moving with out a concerted extra effort at the gym.
Ha!. Staying at home is much like watching a fish tank some days.
It all depends on the activity, paid or not.
There’s desk jobs, moderate and heavy active jobs.
It just depends.
I’m not sure about one thing…. I’ve heard before how to incorporate small things into your day, like parking farther in the lot, taking the stairs, walks at lunch, etc….
You may burn more calories true, but I’ve never had the same impact as when I get my heart rate up. I think there must be some benefits lacking. I’m not sure it’s an even swap.