Today I had the immense privilege to interview Mireille Guiliano, author of Best Seller “French Women Don’t Get Fat”!
First published in 2004, “French Women Don’t Get Fat” has been a runaway success. The book has been translated into 40 languages and over 3 million copies sold worldwide.
Because Mireille Guiliano is French, my intention was to mainly focus the interview on 'cultural' pressure for French Women to be slim (in France).
1. Would you say that French Women live under constant pressure to be “slim” in France?
"I would not say 'constant' as it's more into our DNA from a cultural and historical point of view. And 'slim' may not be the right word...it's more "bien dans sa peau" (-feel good in her body-) as described in my books." (MG)
"I would not say 'constant' as it's more into our DNA from a cultural and historical point of view. And 'slim' may not be the right word...it's more "bien dans sa peau" (-feel good in her body-) as described in my books." (MG)
2. Where does this pressure come from? How is it expressed? Why do you think it is so important for French women to be slim?
"The pressure comes from society, upbringing, male perception and husbands' subtle but real expectations. It's not discussed ad nauseaum like in many cultures. A French woman knows what she has to do and wants to look and feel good. It's a given to be healthy and I'm afraid you can't when overweight and more (just look at the number of diseases overweight people get and how it affects family, budget, happiness or lack of, and ultimately government and society paying or trying to pay for it!)" (MG)
"The pressure comes from society, upbringing, male perception and husbands' subtle but real expectations. It's not discussed ad nauseaum like in many cultures. A French woman knows what she has to do and wants to look and feel good. It's a given to be healthy and I'm afraid you can't when overweight and more (just look at the number of diseases overweight people get and how it affects family, budget, happiness or lack of, and ultimately government and society paying or trying to pay for it!)" (MG)
3. What are your views on the “French paradox”? How do you think it can be explained?
"It's all in my books. It's not about extremes for sure. It deals with moderation, portion, variety, texture, colors...and pleasures when it comes to eating and/or drinking (same thing in the French culture as wine is food and just one element of a meal...no need to drink a bottle or binge). And we eat more veggies and fruit as a starter. Fresh is key too". (MG)
"It's all in my books. It's not about extremes for sure. It deals with moderation, portion, variety, texture, colors...and pleasures when it comes to eating and/or drinking (same thing in the French culture as wine is food and just one element of a meal...no need to drink a bottle or binge). And we eat more veggies and fruit as a starter. Fresh is key too". (MG)
4. Do you think most French women consider themselves to be “beautiful”? Is it true that French Women are arrogant?
"Not at all, but they develop their own style and couldn't care less what others think...that may sound like arrogant to many but to French women it is a sign of confidence and individualism even if and particularly if not perfect. We are born individualists, take it or leave it". (MG)
"Not at all, but they develop their own style and couldn't care less what others think...that may sound like arrogant to many but to French women it is a sign of confidence and individualism even if and particularly if not perfect. We are born individualists, take it or leave it". (MG)
5. How do you explain the huge success of your book “French Women Don't Get Fat”?
"Timing was important but also the message ..."the ultimate non diet book" it's a lifestyle that anyone can apply anywhere and it shows that diets (all yoyo) don't work and are short term and most importantly not healthy for the body and mind. So changing one's lifestyle is crucial and it does not have to be done all at once...a few changes and adding more little by little are keys and work...I still get daily mail from readers who succeed and feel super, six years after publication, so we know it works. The book is timeless and there is not a day where it's not mentioned somewhere according to google alert". (MG)
"Timing was important but also the message ..."the ultimate non diet book" it's a lifestyle that anyone can apply anywhere and it shows that diets (all yoyo) don't work and are short term and most importantly not healthy for the body and mind. So changing one's lifestyle is crucial and it does not have to be done all at once...a few changes and adding more little by little are keys and work...I still get daily mail from readers who succeed and feel super, six years after publication, so we know it works. The book is timeless and there is not a day where it's not mentioned somewhere according to google alert". (MG)
6. What is your best weight loss tip for Mademoiselle Slimalicious’ readers to try?
"No such thing as "best" that is the language of magazines and tv...each of us is unique so there is no "one size fits all" but if I had to pick a few tips to get one started among my long list it would have to be 1)drink more water, 2)move (a 20 minute walk a day minimum) and 3) eat three balanced (= portion/moderation) meals a day in no less than 20 minutes and at the table. Doable? Yes, with a bit of practice.
"No such thing as "best" that is the language of magazines and tv...each of us is unique so there is no "one size fits all" but if I had to pick a few tips to get one started among my long list it would have to be 1)drink more water, 2)move (a 20 minute walk a day minimum) and 3) eat three balanced (= portion/moderation) meals a day in no less than 20 minutes and at the table. Doable? Yes, with a bit of practice.
Next 3 are my leek soup (for a detox weekend), the "real" yogurt" in my first book (yogurt burns fat and a yogurt a day for a year will do wonder and amaze you and the magical breakfast in my fourth (the FWDGF cookbook), cooking more rather than eating in restaurants where food is purposely over salted and/or over sweetened which makes you eat more, gain more and get fat...and I am not even mentioning all the chemicals and poison especially in fast food chains. So pick your battle. Don't make new year resolutions but take a few actions and stick to them...you'll feel better, look better and it's contagious". (MG)
I would like to personally thank Mireille Guiliano for donating her time to Mademoiselle Slimalicious blog, answering all of these questions and sharing her weight management tips with us!
You can purchase a copy of Mireille Guiliano's book
“French Women Don’t Get Fat” on Amazon
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excellent interview !!! Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteInteresting interview! I like her focus on non-dieting approaches and lifestyle changes. Much more sensible and doable than extreme dieting! There is research evidence though that people who are overweight live longer than those who are underweight and even normal weight. Weight loss may happen if people focus on good health and eating habits but some people find it hard to lose even when they make sensible choices. Weight loss is just such a complex issue!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview - thank you for bringing it to my attention on my blog. She articulates so clearly the French woman way of thinking. I get so crazy when I hear my friends describe new diets they are trying. They are destined to fail. Much better to slow down, cook more, and enjoy good food in moderation.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! What a privilege - I love Mireille's book, she inspired me to share my weight gain and rebalance story with my readers too:
ReplyDeletehttp://wholesomecook.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/french-womens-magical-leek-soup/