Atelier Doré

*Cette illustration est une merveille, véritablement !*
Amusant cet article du NY Times, pas franchement du même avis mais la citation est plutôt drôle !Si Paris est bien moins sous pression alors ça reste plus agréable non ?! Mais NY reste NY et la magie qui y est aussi …
http://percymode.wordpress.com

this is why i prefer Europe any day. bring on wasting away the day at a cafe, smoking and talking and drinking endless coffees… that’s how my paris friends don’t put on weight, there’s never any food!

A really insightful article, without the preach or the incessant need for political correctness that damages all good rants these days! Looking forward to your further musings on the subject.

Sarah x

acidwallpaper.blogspot.com

Great post. I’ve always felt that way about about « NY Skinny. » Its such an extreme. . . And love that line about apartment size! Its awful but SO true I’m afraid.

Well put and bright with imagery. In loveee.

Brilliant.

Thank you for articulating this! I thought I was losing my mind when I moved to the Village from the West Indies some years ago. Living smack dab in the middle of those Bleeker restaurants… Horrid business for the thighs & waistline! Love the illustration, BTW.

L’illustr est géniale! Pour Paris, ça dépend dans quel arrondissement tu te trouves. Sur le bord du canal, c’est tout comme tu le racontes mais j’étais en dèj de boulot dans un palace parisien la semaine dernière et les nanas du coin passaient boulotter des assiettes de salade verte comme dèj :-/.
Quant à l’affaire du statut social, il suffit d’avoir quelques amies rue de passy pour entendre des choses de ce niveau. Il y a 10 ans, la voisine de cousines (alors agées de 12 et 13 ans) expliquait que les plus beaux apparts étaient ceux dont les toilettes sentaient le vomi en leur faisant un clin d’oeil (là, elle les incitait gentiment à devenir boulimique, hein…).

Also just moving to a new country is a huge shock to the system. I moved from South Africa to Milan and I have had the opposite change in my body here. I thought I was going to gain so much weight as I eat sooo much pasta and gelato 3 times a week. But I seem to just lose weight or stay the same. Me and my friend from the States discussed this. I think in Europe they put a lot less sugar in things. Also in South Africa I would drive everywhere, here I walk everywhere. I feel lot less stressed about food and diet and exercise here in Italy.

How I understand this all! Although the experience is not pleasant and I am sorry you are dealing with it… I thank you for sharing it here !! I also recently relocated to the States from Berlin, and only a few long stays here before have warned me and took the house warming party gift away from me!
Still I leave daily with the mistrust of the food on the shelves in the supermarket, packaged and non-packaged!! and not many restaurants options…American food industry is most corrupted, and if you leave New York the evidence is on the great majority of people’s body!
All best,

Some powerful observations!
I really hope you find a happy medium between the 2 extremes.

I remember the MASSIVE portion sizes from last visit to NY 13 yrs ago – they haven’t shrunk any then? We were 4 and ordered 4 separate dishes. When the waiter came with the first 2, we thought oh how thoughtful they made it so we can ALL share…..then the other 2 orders arrived LOL!

I totally agree with you about the food additives. As I am responsible for 3 small persons as well as myself, I have been using organic products where possible. I do believe it helps.

Also, I’m afraid I will have to mention that a person’s metabolism slows down with the advancing years – it’s something that happens so don’t beat yourself up about it!
I loved reading this and can’t wait for the next part!

Interesting post. I love nyc and the food is great (especially for vegetarians) – But the portions and also class associated with being skinny is creepy. I felt it when I was shopping in the fancy departmen stores – they can tell I’m not local only by my size.. I’m a 2-4.. not the -1 all the rich girlies seem to be.

Smiling but oh so true – we used to call them social x-rays growing up and snigger in our pre-pubescent bodies that ate chips – imagine! But seriously – the shit in the food – not clever – vegan over night … looking forward to post 2 x

http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

J’ai eu la même impression, qu’à NY les gens cuisinent beaucoup moins à la maison et vont plus au restaurant ! En tout cas je pense que toutes tes explications sur la prise de poids sont justes (les portions, la composition de la nourriture) en revanche le culte de la maigreur est malheureusement aussi fort chez nous et dans beaucoup de pays aussi..Cela dit ils ont peut être plus « le culte du sport » que nous ? Ici on aime être mince mais c’est pas pour autant qu’on est très sportifs.

here here! I gained about 3kg (but probably equiv 5kg of fat) when I moved from Sydney to NYC.. It’s the lifestyle of eating, drinking. And if you’re working really hard you don’t have time to exercise… The clothes still fit me, I was just a tiny bit bigger, and very very very unfit! It just took me a whole year to shape up, and permanently lose it!

But oddly enough today my darling secretary who lived in France for 3 years told me French women make sure they don’t overeat! EG big lunch, tiny dinner.. !!

Agreed! Great read :)

Ton post c’est si interessant, et c’est bien que vous avez réalisé des problèmes avec l’alimentation nord américain. C’est non seulement les hormones qui rentent dans la nourriture, mais des ingrédients sont différents. Surtout le sucre, habituellement remplacé avec « high fructose corn syrup, » un veritable poison. Aussi le « palm oil » etc… Beaucoup des producteurs veulent seulement le profit et ne sont pas intéressés de la qualité.

Anyways, désolée de ma mauvaise Français, mais il y a environs cinq ans que je sors de l’école!

J’ai connu la même chose en vivant à New York 8 mois. Je passais mon temps à sortir, au resto vu qu’a New York on ne cuisine quasiment jamais! (j’avais même visiter un appartement sans cuisine!! sans rire!)
Depuis que je suis rentrée à Paris, j’apprécie beaucoup plus faire des diner chez moi et chez des amis, ça à son charme qu’on ne trouve pas toujours au resto.

Bon courage, le dilemme n’est pas évident! Il faut essayer de trouver un équilibre, être raisonnable ( mais c’est chiant!), ou trouver un cours de sport avec des copines, ça motive pour y aller…

J’ai le même problème j’ai toujours 10 000 choses plus intéressantes et plus importantes que d’aller faire du sport, mon mec, un dingue de sport, ne sais plus quoi faire de moi lol!

Good Luck!

such an interesting post..and the illustration is really beautiful!

http://anasworldoffashion.blogspot.com

Being skinny is really tough, no matter where you live nowadays. I actually signed a holistic nutrition education just to figure it out and here are the results:
95% of all diets fail, so there is no need to start one;
the growth hormones in the animal products like meat, dairy, etc all truely there and they make you fat;
the trans fats present in almost every store bought meal make you fat too;
exercise is not enough to be skinny, diet is the only key (being fit is a whole new thing);
etc. etc…

As a start, you can try to read more on the subject, limit animal products (and I don’t mean only meat, dairy too), stop all the whites (white bread, sugar, salt) and replace them with wholewheat alternatives and alltogether try to eat more natural diet – vegetables, nuts, fruits, seeds :)))

Sorry, it’s hard, I know.

Too much pressure! i could never live like that! But for me moving abroad has also made me gained some kilos, and i haven’t even left europe!

bisous!

singinonmymind.blogspot.com

amazing illustration:) love your works always , u got talent:)

http://shu84.blogspot.com/

Salut Garance!
Je suis totalement d’accord avec toi. I’m from Colombia and we eat three very substantial meals over there and I never felt that I had to keep an eye on my weight.
Here I eat much less but I have to constantly make sure I don’t go over on some things.
The worst part of it is that you start believing on being that skinny that you become obsessed with food but more as a repression than as a foodie.
Can’t wait for your next post on this.
Love your illustration!

Je me demande si la situation serait similaire au nord du 49e ( surtout la portion francophone ;) Les portions reste généreuses, mais je crois pas trop m’avancer en disant que la qualité de la préparation et des aliments est sans doute moins dommageable pour la santé et que ici on est un bon compromis entre les standards européens et newyorkais…Bon la poutine ça compte pas par exemple !!

À quand une visite?!

Hé bien courage pour ta bataille…

Après, en effet, l’argument que je retiens en observant la bouffe à NYC, c’est purement un problème de normes alimentaires car nos produits sont plus « naturels » en Europe… Quant à prendre ses repas hors de chez soi, il en va de même à Paris je pense, donc il faut savoir alterner… Une amie dir com d’un palace parisien alterne repas gastronomiques avec les journalistes au restaurant et bouillon léger à la maison pour garder un équilibre…

As much as I love your blog…reading it reminding me of an episode I just had with a french girl while a cooking class. Is it typical for all french to ALWAYS compare themselves to others? and find differences to make you look LOOK???

I don’t get it. Not all French are like you or all NY girls are skinny, maybe the ones you hang out with ’cause as you say they’re obssed with fashion and yet, this is ANOTHER country.

The french girl in the cooking class was so annoying asking questions like, do you guys eat ribs everyday? (mmmmm) how can you eat bacon with the fat??
Yikes, that’s too much fat! (just ’cause we’re not using a fancy french cheese, where really ALL cheese have FAT.

I don’t find the purpose of comparing to critize…

Geeeeeenius.

it’s true though, if you move to america, you’ll gain at least 10 pounds in a month! it happened to me too and it’s ridiculous. I lost all the weight when i moved back. It’s all the hormones they fed the beef, chicken etc. So just buy organic. Organic everything!

Oh, how true! Moving countries has a huge impact on your body. I must agree with this, since I’ve lived in 3 different countries so far and each and every time, my body is in a state of confusion over my new eating habits so I have to be careful because I love delicious food. When I first moved to France, I couldn’t understand this « excessive » bread culture in particular, washed down with tap water, even in restaurants. I love bread myself but you surely champion it!

This is such a thought provoking piece, there really is such an extreme difference between the two lifestyles.

I’m reading the book, Entre Nous, at the moment and this is the exact topic I’m on! I must say another big difference I noticed between US and France… the walking. I may have only worked out once during the week or more I was there, but I definitely got my exercise from walking everywhere! and uphill! My souvenir from Paris/Lyon… toned calves. It was fabulous.

cwhimsydesigns.com

you’ve made a great point! xx

http://balletme.blogspot.com/

As a Kansian who has moved to Paris back in 2007 I have gained more weight then I did in the US. The food just doesn’t process the same for me. It’s difficult to keep my weight in check here vs how it was in the states.
But the reason for this isn’t so bad. It’s just that the food is so much better. The tastes great. I don’t really eat more then I did in the states. I think it’s cause the food is so much more rich than I’m used to. (ex. butter, more olive oil, cream, etc.)

Moi aussi je viens d’arriver à NY et je trouve tes observations très justes. En un mois, je n’ai cuisiné que pour faire des crêpes (!) et des pâtes. Et je mange dehors tout le temps donc, ou takeaway. Le plus drôle c’est que j’ai une cuisine super bien équipée dans mon appart, mais il y a tellement d’options pour manger dehors, c’est trop tentant. Et oui, les portions sont plus importantes mais aussi, je pense qu’ils cuisinent moins sain. Par exemple, en Australie, je prenais toujours des oeufs pochés, tu en trouvais sur tous les menus, ici c’est oeufs sur le plat ou brouillés (et donc avec bcp de crème !). Tout est un peu plus gras/sucré je pense. En bref, il faut vraiment faire attention et s’auto-discipliner, mais c’est dur !

Cet article est vraiment tres interessant. Je viens de vivre un an en echange universitaire aux US, et cest pareil pour moi: des kilos en plus; et les raisons sont presque les memes. Primo: le restaurant universitaire, tout a volonte… et puis viens, les restaurants qui sont vraiment moins chers qu’en France, donc on se lache… Les proportions sont ENORMES mais on s’y habitue…
La seule solution est d’eviter les restos ou de prendre le menu enfant haha! Mais bon, j’imagine qu’a NYC, c’est une toute autre histoire, vu que tout le monde mange dehors.
Au final, je pense que c’est un probleme americain car ils n’aiment pas cuisiner (faineantise ?). Conclusion, faire attention a ceux qu’on commande et achete et malheureusement reduire sa frequentation aux restaurants!

C’est très intéressant, et un peu fou. Quand même. Moi qui trouve que déjà les Parisiennes sont des obsédées de l’apparence totally under control… C’est plus relax en Suisse, et les minettes ne sont pas rondes pour autant. Relax attitude, I do prefer! :))

This is so interesting! I would love to hear more. I am one of those workout-obsessed Americans but I eat more like a Parisian! I believe in healthy, good food in moderation. I love a glass of wine with my meals and don’t you dare hide the bread basket!

This struck me as hilarious, because I wrote an article that was almost the exact opposite when I moved to New York from Florida. I LOST 10 pounds when I got here, and not because I go to the gym. (At all.) While New York is still America, the American South is so much more extreme, and the lifestyle in New York is overall a ton healthier for me with the walking culture here. New York might be my Paris. Thanks for keeping things in perspective.

J’ai eu droit à mes kilos de bienvenue aussi, au Portugal, moi! Pas de problème de nourriture malsaine aux hormones ou autres, simplement des portions gigantesques dont on ne mange que la moitié en emmenant l’autre à la maison au début, et qu’on finit par engloutir.
Alors j’ai fait le premier régime de ma vie et j’ai perdu très facilement les 4 kilos que j’avais pris + 6 autres, 10 kilos envolés en un mois et demi. Et j’étais sur ma lancée pour retrouver le 36 de mes 18 ans pour 1m73 quand un jour mon fiancé me dit stop, arrête de maigrir. Parce-que retrouver une alimentation saine et équilibrée et faire un peu de sport pour avoir un joli corps équilibré entre muscles, rondeurs et minceur, c’est très bien, devenir une maigrichonne control freak et obsédée, pas question! C’est tout simplement anti-sexy, mais quand on a les moyens, ce qui est difficile, finalement, c’est d’arrêter de maigrir et de garder ces quelques rondeurs qui font que les hommes se retournent sur ton passage et louchent sur ton décolleté!

Your thoughts are so interesting to me because when I, an American, moved from Seattle to Paris I thought the same thing, but in reverse. In my mind, Paris was the culprit who forced me to gain 10 pounds.

While living in Seattle I never (ever), had to think too much about food dos and don’ts or staying in shape. Skinny came quite easily. Don’t eat too many bad things (just because fast food and candy are there doesn’t mean you have to eat them, etc.) and get in some exercise in the form of play (bike riding, tennis, etc.).

As for portions, you’re right, they’re big. But the immediate thing that I learned growing up was to immediately divide the food in half and assume that the other portion will be used for the next day’s lunch. All American females that I know do likewise.

Paris though. You guys aren’t only skinny, you also have slender bones and the most intimidating arms I’ve ever seen. The French don’t even gain weight in the same way, if my hypothesis is correct. Countless times I’ve seen French ladies who are chubby only in the stomach. That’s it. The arms and legs are still birdlike and most months it’s easy to conceal that by putting on a nice scarf or coat, leaving the perfectly healthy foreigner to feel obese. Seriously though, sometimes I catch myself walking behind someone and wonder how their tiny stick-like legs can possible support them. I make sure to stay close in the case that if their bones snap or break then I’ll be able to catch them.

Going out to eat, you say, isn’t a regular thing? I, an editor, work at home and get to avoid this daily ritual; however, my husband and our circle of friends, all different ethnicities and work environments, complain that it’s impossible to keep up with the French and their desire to go out to a restaurant every single work day.

All this is to say that when I moved to France four years ago and adopted the culture’s eating habits, I found myself weighing more than I ever had in my life and had to fight furiously to lose it again, bringing me to believe that with each countries’ eating habits comes the know-how to combat it to maintain a reasonable weight. I lost in France because I didn’t have your upbringing to combat butter, bread and cheese. You lose in New York because you were taught to finish everything on your plate. Apparently we only win if we stay put or adapt again, and then again.

Good luck!

Francaise a New York depuis 2 mois, je ressens cette meme impression des « extremes »!

Heureusement, notre « French DNA » nous rappele toujours a l’ordre et nous inscite a se faire plaisir, rire et vivre… meme au pays des « NY skinny »!

Coco (www.cocochiconline.com)

Good read! This sounds very stressful. I live in Zurich, and I’m going to spend the next couple of months in England. Change of country often means change of food and lifestyle which often results in bodily changes as well. But why do they put so much food on the plates, when the people can’t /don’t finish it anyway?

not to make you or anyone unhappy, but apart from hormone-ridden food and huge portions and less walking there is another factor to reckon with: AGE… once you get to the other half of 30, things start to add up and slow down…

I sooooo understand!

Let me tell you that some things are just typical NY or American (e.g. growth hormones for meat) but the majority of them are typical of just one thing: moving to another country. Period.

Two years ago I moved from Italy to Belgium (in Flanders) and I gained 10 kilos without even noticing.

How could that be so easy? Simple: they use butter to cook instead of the olive oil I was used to, the portions are HUGE, the food is greasier as the weather is colder and the only occasion to meet my friends was to go out and have beers (!).

So basically what changed were all my habits, in a way that I couldn’t notice in the beginning but that slapped me in the face once I got myself on the scale, alarmed by my favorite trousers that didn’t fit anymore.

Now I sport more and I got back to my Mediterranean kitchen (not 100% easy because I don’t find all the ingredients I want, but feasible), I drink a glass or two of wine a week and I eliminated beers: I still go out but they get beer and I get diet cokes :-P

So I think you shouldn’t be alarmed, I think it happens to all the people that move in another country and have to get used to the new lifestyle.

As for the extremes… I agree with you, it can be annoying… But every time you think that you would like to scream for the frustration and the constant effort in adapting to your new environment look around you and notice once again that you live in one of the coolest and most beautiful cities of the world ;-)

(and oh, I’d so like to read more of these strories, I feel for them! :D)

A kiss

Al

-The Red Dot-

GREAT ARTICLE! You sound so fabulous as you describe yourself eating like a Parisian amongst New Yorkers, with your cigarettes, bread, and multiple desserts! I love it, but I’m sad that you can’t keep up your Parisian lifestlye in NYC! I just came from there, and each time I go- I go on a crazy food spree trying different bakeries, street food, ice cream, etc. but i feel that I don’t gain the weight (and the proof is in the scale when I got home that I didn’t) because I walk around just so damn much! Then again, we were there for travel and not living there- so maybe normally you (New Yorkers in general) don’t walk around just as much? :/ Maybe just walk like a tourist lol or just more to balance your intake? Good luck- I hope you can continue to order desserts!

I looove this post! Being a brazilian, it was interesting to learn how differently americans relate to food when I lived there for an year. The large meals impressed me!! In time, we learned how to deal with this. I would go to a restaurant with my family (husband and two children – 7 and 13yrs) and we would ask just one or two entrées and a kids meal. The waiter would look at us as if he was seeing aliens, but I just got used to it. And there were always leftovers!
I also came to realize that line about the dress size (and I lived in Kentucky, not NY)!

Loved the article! I think as Americans we are far to obsessed with skinny, skinny. Being healthy is far more important. Not everyone can be skinny, skinny and need to be happy with who they are. Life is short and should be enjoyed!

Ben moi, je suis rondelette et je ne pense pas « crever de faim » pour faire comme les autres et être maigrichonne parce que c’est la mode … !! Je suis type méditérranéen, difficle de lutter contre mes hanches et autres … Je trouve que c’est débile de ne pas manger tout ça pour être androgyne !! Désolée mais avez-vous remarquer qu’une femme bien dans sa peau, avec ses petits kilos en plus est bien plus rigolote et est toujours d’humeur plaisante contrairement à celle qui s’oblige tout le temps au contrôle !! Je ne veux pas dire par là qu’on doive succomber aux excès mais bon pas la peine non plus de « crever la dalle » … Et honnêtement, une femme « bien foutue » est bien plus attirante qu’une maigrelette … bien sûr il faut peut être avoir des jambes de rêve et être hyper élancée pour qu’à la rigueur ça puisse plaire … Enfin, c’est mon point de vue … Je continuerai maintenant en été à petit-déj une bière avec un énorme sandwich voir un 2ème si j’ai trop faim, tout en rigolant avec mes copains … Le ventre creux me rend d’ailleurs de « mauvais poil » ;;))

This is so true! I just moved back to Manhattan a month ago and my muffin top has grown too hahaha…the trick is…walk, walk, walk!!

xx

I really like this post. Garance I feel for you. I have never been to NY and I am. From Angola a very diffent culture, but I have been in Paris for long periods of time.
However I come from a very diffent culture so that is all a bit foreign to me but I understand what you are saying.
The post is funny, there is good touch of humor and lost of good taste, it is well written and I really enjoyed reading it.
I love the illustration, so cool, so you.

How funny is this post?! Well you are right about one thing, the fashion crowd in NYC definitely IS laughable at how they treat food. I feel like I may be ostracized for having a bagel (or anything with bread)!

Although its interesting to hear you have gained weight…when I moved here I lost weight! After the constant running around , I was just always on my feet walking in addition to when I actually worked out. I lost 5 pounds here, but I lost 15 living in France…and I did it by running a lot and eating bread, cheese, and yummies and drinking LOTS of good red wine. The food in France is definitely more natural and that makes a difference. Since I’m American (and from the South no less where everything is sugary and buttery and fattening) I think it was an easier transition to come here and actually lose weight.

You just have to do everything in moderation. It’s just as bad to look at food as your enemy and only eat a cube of cheese all day as it is to gorge yourself on it in gluttony. Both are unhealthy. Good luck haha ;)

Je suis allée à New York en avril et c’est vrai que l’hygiène alimentaire des new yorker est particulière, pas comme ailleurs dans le pays (je suis allée dans l’ouest aussi). Là-bas, ils mangeaient plûtot burgers, hots dogs … alors que les new yorkais mangent bio, font beaucoup de sport … J’ai beaucoup aimé leur hygiène de vie, même si c’est un peu extrême parfois !

You nailed it for me! Especially 1 and 2!

Moving to Canada 11 years ago, I used to saw wow seeing the portions of the plate they feed people here… I could never finish a big honking burger or a big plate of pasta. I always tell people that the « child size » drink here used to be considered a medium drink in Asia. And then I got so used to the whole « supersized » meal and appies, entree and then dessert. Of course now I too, have a muffin top, where else would all those supersized food go? I secretly wish it would go on my… pardon me… T&A but it just won’t! LOL.

P.S. I’m back in London and back to normal now :)

Quelques ruses d’une française pour rester mince :

http://journaldunenaturopathe.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/comment-rester-mince/

J’ai été maigre à une époque , sans joie de vivre et sans libido ;-(

Mince c’est bien, ronde aussi… le tout étant de garder une peau tonique, un beau sourire, le regard pétillant …

et d’avoir du DESIR !

Pfffff que dire? comment réagir…
Je crois bien que je suis un peu outrée ou non disons plutôt que tout ça me gonfle… Franchement Garance ne rentres pas dans ce jeu là. Ne te poses pas trop de questions. C’est tellement plus agréable ! Garde  » ta cool attitude de parisienne » comme tu le dis si bien!
Une fille fraîche, pétillante et avec des formes est tant plus cool à côtoyer, qu’une pauvre fille rachitique qui a perdu en même temps que son appétit sa joie de vivre!
Je me permets de juger car pendant plus de 4 ans j’ai souffert d’anorexie mentale! Et j’aimerai dire à toutes ses NY Skinny ou Paris Skinny que peu importe… Il y a tellement d’autres choses plus importantes (ou plus grave) que leur tour de taille…

I really enjoyed this article. Besides the amazing illustration, you really described the differences between the lifestyle in New York and Paris – places I would both like to visit very soon. I would definitely like to know your comparison to other places in the world like Stockholm or Montreal. It would definitely be a very interesting point of view…

Ashley
The I on Fashion
http://www.theionfashion.com

Garance, since this is my first time posting, just want to say that I love your blog. About the hormones in food in the U.S., I have to say that I completely agree. Although I haven’t read anything scientific about it myself, I really think that it must be it. I know so many friends who move to the States and gain those 10 lbs immediately. It’s crazy. That, combined with eating out and less need for walking is not a good combination. It’s even worse in California because we drive everywhere. I hope you share more on this experience with us. xx

What an interesting perspective (and gorgeous illustration)! I’m from the Midwest U.S., but I’ve lived in both Paris and New York. I lost weight in both places without trying, which I chalked up to living in a big city (besides Detroit where I’m from, a.k.a « Motor City. ») I guess on the continuum of naturally healthy lifestyles, New York is somewhere between Paris and the Midwest!

what an amazing post!?! well said, well written, well observed! I guess I should should to Paris. xoxo

http://bywayofney.blogspot.com/

love this post. made me laugh out loud. you are completely on point with everything. i will trust you on nyc skinny, but what about souther california skinny? since i live in socal i think this skinny kicks it up a notch. and it does make me feel overweight even though i am only 10 lb over my usual which is still considered normal, healthy weight. ugh! anyways, one thing about european lifestyle though – i think people in europe suffer from chronic dehydration. i swear i thought i was the only one carrying a bottle of water while siteseeing in paris. and i know how strange i would have looked to my younger, european self who got imported to america oh-so-many years ago! <3

I am from Mexico City, and moved to the Central Coast in California two months ago… your article made me laugh sooo much… I can relate to that!

Oh que oui j’en ai pris des petits dejeuners avec des et plus particulièrement une new yorkaise et à chaque fois, bien que me promettant de ne pas grossir, je suis revenue avec des kilos en trop. Superbe illustration.
http://dameskarlette.blogspot.com/

oui, quand je rentre à Paris, je suis frappée, non seulement de la minceur des filles, mais de l’obsession du poids; les premières remarques sont souvent sur le poids d’ailleurs. Si c’est pireà NY, au secours. Ça me rend vraiment dingue. Je n’aime pas du tout cette relation malade à la bouffe… Une fille qui pétille de vie et de passion est une déesse, maigre, ronde ou grosse! chouette illustration!

Bon encore une fois, je vais faire un peu de Montréalo-centrisme mais l’évidence est là; ici, nous sommes entre les deux mondes et donc, nous avons le meilleur et le pire des deux mondes.
Les gens ont des grandes cuisines et cuisinent beaucoup mais l’on peut aussi sortir facilement dans les restos; il y en a plein et de tout à tous les prix.

Je ne suis pas d’accord avec le post publié plus haut; s’il est vrai que nous avons l’influence nord-américaine sur les produits alimentaires, nos viandes sont beaucoup moins hormonées qu’aux USA et de plus, les farines animales sont interdites depuis les années soixante. Et ceux qui ne sont ni chauvins, ni stupides ni étroits d’esprit peuvent trouver plein de super bons produits et de super restos sains et gastronomiques.

Donc à Montréal, nous avons tous les styles de vie et les filles ne sont ni NY skinny, ni Parisian skinny ni super obèses. On surtout de très bons vivants qui ne donnent pas de leçon fashion à personne.
Le matin; je peux aller me prendre un croissant et un bol de café au lait, un breakfast à l’américaine où un truc super bio.
Bon pour conclure, c’est chiant mais c’est vrai; on est super choyés!

New-ish to NYC but not from Paris… and I have to say, I see what you mean. Excited to read your next entry on the topic.

@ coco: it’s funny how you talk about your size 2 like it would be a big one, it’s not ealthy at all if you have a medium/high height, not far from size zero. People have to change their mind first. French women fit a size 6-8 and they are not fat at all, they are « femmes ».

I just have been in Paris studying abroad this summer and I think you are so correct about all that you have said. The pressures in NY are at the extremes and Parisian life is so much more relaxing and nurturing. Thank you for posting this because it really hits a huge point that I have been faced with while being in France!

Love the illustration!

C’est très intéressant. Vraiment. Et l’illustration est superbe. Lors de mes deux séjours aux USA j’ai été vraiment surprise de voir les portions servies. Ce n’est pas un mythe!! C’est triste à quelque part. Cela veut dire que là-bas, les gens mangent mal (j’entends par là des aliments de mauvaise qualité) alors ils doivent se priver pour ne pas grossir…
Bises
May

Hehe I always love your stories :) so funny and real

I think I prefer the french way of eating..long dinners with friends, nice deserts,…

http://www.tripsandtreasures.blogspot.com

I’ve always wondered about this. I live in Canada and consider myself to be thin (5’8 and 125lbs on a healthy week). But if I stood next to celebrities or women in NY – would I suddenly be the curvy one? It must take a confident woman to squash the NY and LA point of view. I think I’d go insane.

Garance,
beautiful illustrations and insightful observations as always! But honestly, you should (or well shouldn’t) try living in LA. LA skinny puts New York skinny to shame! Every time I step off the plane at LAX I immediately feel I have gained 10 pounds! It is interesting how closely our self image in tied to the world around us!

Garance! I love your blog—an incredible post!

My degree is in nutrition and dietetics, and although I no longer work in that field, I remain forever interested in the various cultural, dietary, and physiological aspects that lend to how our bodies put on and lose weight and how our image of ourselves and others influence how we feel about this process. Excellent point about the type of fat that’s gained (e.g., « the fat seemed softer »)! I believe that can be directly related to the amount of processed food consumed. The way the fat is stored is different, and the location of the fat and how it « hangs » is representative of how the body processes and stores that kind of hormonally treated/chemically processed food. This is a new challenge to the human body—such processed foods weren’t an issue pre-WWII. Great observations!

Love the cultural distinctions and perceptions of food and exercise. Looking forward to future posts!

Haha, great article! Enjoyed reading. :) I had similar problem when I lived in USA for a while (3-6 months on different occasions) – every time I gained 1-2 kg. Sounds like nothing, but for skinny me that was a tragedy (mostly because I can’t say no to ice-cream and other sweets). Now I’m happily back in Europe and can eat all the ice-cream in the world! :D Honestly, I think more than anything there is something wrong with American food (sorry Americans). ;)

yep… i hear you..
one time on 30 rock, the page, kenneth said to liz lemon « you’re thin, but you’re not new york thin »

that always stuck with me.

my german husband has to order double portions every time we go to paris. they just don’t make enough food for him!

that said, i won’t stop eating real food. i don’t care if i’m not new york thin, even though i live in nolita and models actually walk the streets. i’ve been new york thin and it didn’t make me any happier. a size 4 will do just fine.

and my apartment? well, it’s bigger than my size zero apartment. ;)

Thank you Garance for the amazing post. I completely agree with you! I myself, work in New York City and in fashion and I struggle with this daily. I am 5’3 and 112 pounds perfectly healthy I think, but next to most fashionista’s I feel fuller figured….

I know I’m never going to be a « tall super skinny girl » and so I focus on being healthy and working out to feel good (and drink my wine and eat the foods I love). However, I still struggle with the thought that « I look fat » next to the « New York skinny » fashion girls.

belle illustration !
je ne suis jamais allé à New york..je ne pensais pas que les filles étaient pour la plupart maigre. mais j’étais au courant des kilos réglementaire :)

http://jgcreations.over-blog.com

I love this post! I recently moved from Europe to Canada, and here I also find it harder to eat healthy. Of course, I am curious to try out different foods (mostly the unhealthy ones), because we don’t have them back ‘home’. But, I also see far more easy opportunities to take out food or eat something ‘fast’. Hot dog stands are everywhere, and also my Starbucks intake has grown significantly.

Though people seem to be more sporty here and I went with that lifestyle for the first little bit. Now I am stuck in my routine of doing pretty much no exercise (except for walking everywhere) and I am afraid I will get that belated house-warming present you’re talking about.

I feel more stressed out about being slimmer since I have lived here, probably also because I started my blog a few months back. I am planning on going organic and combine a protein diet and exercise once I have found more structure in my life.

http://thesignaturebow.blogspot.com/
NEW POST: Beautiful Industrial

J’aime beaucoup cet article !!
et ton dessin est top :)

i could not agree more. i visited paris for only one month and ate more and some how lost weight. i feel crazy when i’m here in new york. like i have to be a control freak at all times. i don’t know what it is but i really do hate it. i wish everyone would live more freely here, then maybe people wouldn’t be so hyper sensitive about their weight and just be naturally thin. AH. this is a point that could not have been addressed at a more perfect time.
xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

Love this. And it’s OH SO TRUE! That happened when I moved to LA. Everyone here is so « organic » obsessed and you think they’re crazy at first, and then one day, you are too. Then you realize the importance of sample sizes being 1 size. But then you just turn sample size or you just are sad that you’re not sample size. I need to lose the rest of my moving to Cali weight so I can too be sample size skinny. Damn you skinny status quos!

xoxo
http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

omg I enjoyed reading every single word . great post :)

http://girlynote.blogspot.com

What a timely post. I just returned to LA from 3 weeks in Italy. I ate and drank whatever I wanted, bread, pasta, wine. No gym workouts either. Gained 2 lbs only. In LA, I can gain 5 if I eat one « bad » meal. Something is so wrong in the US. Everyone gains weight here, and it’s not fun to constantly be deprived. OK – rant over.

So well said and the illustration is beautiful!

Merci pour votre article Garance. Je trouve que c’est une belle analyse et je pense que le recul était nécessaire comme vous le dites !
Cela m’expliquera sûrement pourquoi je semble prendre du poids sans manger beaucoup plus à Washington D.C. où je suis pour 7 semaines !! Je vais à mon tour observer un peu plus ses habitudes, ça m’intéresse énormément.
Merci encore, et bon courage !

Mais restez comme vous êtes, finalement, nous sommes tous différents et uniques et c’est ce qui rend l’humanité si belle, (avec quelques kilos en trop ou non).

Wow! Such an amazing illustration! The colors just pop!

————-
Gayatri
Look who’s Wearing (LwW)

Hello Garance,
Fraichement debarquee de Paris a New York, ca me rassure de lire que je ne suis pas la seule cool parisienne plus du tout cool. Je me revois donner une conference improvisee il y a 6 mois sur la minceur des Francaises, et aujourd’hui, moi et mes 5 kg a la recherche frenetique d’un bon cours de yoga, quasi prete a chausser des baskets de running…
Merci pour tes precieux conseils sur cette ville fascinante, ton blog est mon guide officiel!

I love how sincere this post is. It’s curious because I experienced the same baffling weight gain as an American living abroad in Paris. I had been the same size since puberty so to gain weight was truly novel to me. I was convinced that I could stay the same size as all the skinny-parisian girls around me if I ate like them and walked everywhere (which is untrue anyway because there’s a metro stop always around the corner) but I’m still stumped by the fact that my fellow metro riders could be shoving a baguette in their face on the way home before they even eat dinner and stay so thin (which is worse, a baguette or croissant chocolate? I preferred the latter…). I’m convinced it has something to do with the dairy: I don’t think my roommates ever grasped the French equivalent of skim, 2% or whole milk, not to mention the insidiousness of creme fraiche and butter which seemed to be in everything (Not that I’m complaining because everything was delicious)! Anyhow, I’m back to my normal size–and you will be too! Just takes a little adjustment!

What a fantastic article, Garance!
I am Australian, & whilst I have never been to the states, I have been to Paris.
I relished in the relaxed, order what you want to eat, not what you feel you have to attitude.
The best thing about it was, I didn’t gain weight at all!
Over large portions have been a problem in Australia for quite a while, and often dubbed an « Americanisation ». I often think it’s a sad generalisation, but perhaps it’s not.
Eager to hear your next installment :)

I loved this article oh so much!! And I always look forward to your amazing illustrations!! This is so true though; although I’ve never been to Europe I hear the proportions here in USA are like ma ma ma ma major compared to Europe. No wonder why we are the « most obese » country in the world.

I am in absolute agreement with you on this! I am from Seattle and I moved to Japan about a year ago. Within about 6 months I lost weight! I didn’t consider myself overweight, but I did have a bit of a muffin top. I didn’t think I could become any skinner, because diets never worked! Living in Japan I walk EVERYWHERE and love it. Plus, the food size is smaller and there are no take out boxes. It is considered wasteful and rude to not eat all of your food. Nice job with this article. I think most people can relate to this in one way or another.

http://victoriainjapanland.blogspot.com

LOVE LOVE LOVE this article! The illustration is amazing, too! When I moved here from Europe, I also gained just over 10 lbs. I did find the meat and dairy were different from home, and I actually started to get allergies from them, to the point where I would get completely sick from foods I ate…also food here seems to have more salt than back home, and I agree portions here are also double the size of what I was used to. I did stop eating almost all meat except fresh salmon, and I eat no dairy… The pounds came right off!!!:) Can’t wait to read the continued article! I love your blog!

Sigh. So true. Native NYer here and I always carried that extra 10 lbs until I had children and started cooking at home most nights. Whole Foods is my friend + farmers market. We eat no animal products with hormones or antibiotics. Tons of vegetables. As much organic as we can. We are all thin. My mother was from Spain so my palate is normal (I crave olive oil and think so many american foods are too sweet, etc, etc.)

But one thing I would like to add is that this image of the perfect NY woman, super skinny, perfect clothes and obsessive mani-pedi…..these are not real NYers. These are aliens that showed up from the 90s on when Giuliani supposedly made it safe for them not to live in the suburbs. Back in the day only prissy park ave women had manicures and overly groomed eyebrows. Chic, bohemian, downtown types were far less groomed, and much more interesting. We have been swallowed by suburbia here.

BRILLIANT comparison, Garance, and so true! Do yourself a favor and rent some movies from the 60s/70s/80s before too much plastic surgery and too little eating made people look like Valley of the (Barbie) Dolls! It’s amazing (and refreshing) to see women with small bosoms, and normal curves and faces. *sigh*

As for portions, come visit Texas. You’ve heard things are bigger here? The food portions, MERDE! They’re enough for 3-4 meals, easy. But if you come, better come hungry!

I hope you can get out to meet more « real » girls in NYC instead of the willowy invaders who inhabit the fashion industry and how now invade the rest of the city, as Ines mentioned.

There are plenty of us real and natural girls around. I’ve been here for a decade and never been healthier. The constant walking keeps me fit. My friends and I like to cook when we can. And we don’t eat massive portions when we eat out.

I think you’ve hit it right on the head.

I was born and raised in Malaysia for 17 years and I gained weight when I moved to Melbourne, in which I’ve been living for the past 8 years. ALL my asian friends have the same dillema and it didn’t make sense to us at all because asian food are notoriously salty and not exactly healthy either so why were we not as fat when we were in Asia? Even when we return home for a month holiday, we immediately lose a little bit of weight. I still don’t know. I THINK our bodies are raised on a particular diet since infancy and are not used to a « western » diet.

I think that portion size is just vital and America subscribes to the « more is better » philosophy which has been so detrimental! Quality is, of course, and quality food also satisfies us more quickly. But we tend to eat large quantities of lower quality food..so wrong! Thank you for the insightful post!

I’m moving to NY from Los Angeles tomorrow, and while I’m quite afraid of gaining those 10 pounds, I’m so glad that the whole world isn’t obsessed with « skinny »: It puts everything into perspective and simple reminders like this post really make me value happiness above looking perfect. Thank you, Garance!

Haha! I’ve experienced exactly the same thing! I was staying in NYC for 3 months only, but it was enough for me to gain about 10 kilograms :) It took me a Year in Europe to go back to my old weight! ;)

Beautiful article, its crazy how women can be about their bodies. i have had my body issues as well for as long as i can remember. however i live in a society where i think its alot less rigid than Paris or Newyork. hate to be in your shoes:)

Bonjour Garance,

Ce qui ma marquée lors d’un petit séjour à NY l’année dernière , c’est justement le fait que l’on puisse manger partout et à tout heure du jour et de la nuit. Tandis que les musées pour la majorité n’ouvrent pas spécialement tôt et ferment tôt (la plus part à 5h de mémoire). On peut donc manger (mal en général) quand on veut mais s’instruire dans des plages horaires assez réduites.

Sinon pour l’anecdote, une amie qui a passé un an au USA (Washington) à non seulement pris des kilos mais a aussi vu sa pilosité se développer ! Après diagnostic, c’est du aux hormones dans les aliments.

J’ai été au USA deux fois. La première j’ai pas grossi, même si j’étais devenu addict à un latté vanilla de chez starbuck et que j’en prenais un tous les jours! après je me suis rendue compte que c’était pas juste une boisson… une vraie bombe calorique.
Ce qui m’a super étonné c’est que c’est impossible de trouver du pain sans sucre par exemple. Fou non? peut être chez whole food.

La deuxième fois, pendant trois semaines, j’étais avec un groupe d’alter in New-Mexico (Santa Fe tout ça), qui mangeait RAW et SUPERFOOD et bien sur végétalien et bio ça va sans dire. RAW et SUPERFOOD, deux concepts américains, qui montrent aussi une certaine obsession, dans un autre milieu, de la nourriture. Celle qui sera la plus saine et le plus nutritive possible, celle qui qui fera du bien à ton âme comme à ton corps… bref j’ai pas grossi, j’ai même maigri mais bon j’avais des nausées pour d’autres raisons.
De toute manière c’était un voyage génial, là-bas dans l’alternatif, il n’y vont pas à moitié.

Bref. J’ai été NY skinny, Paris Skinny etc. Rien de tout ça ne m’a apporté le bonheur ni une plus grande reconnaissance des autres what so ever. Aujourd’hui je suis mum skinny, c’est à dire je suis maman mais mince mais bon, une maman sans petites formes c’est pas cool (vous aimez des calins avec un tas d’os froid??). Donc tout est ok. J’ai découvert des marques de vêtements qui aiment les formes féminines comme heartbreaker que je recommande à toutes !!!
http://heartbreakerfashion.com/

Allez, pensez aux relations, aux liens, à votre potentiel créatif et sortez vous de la tête ces obsessions pour la nourriture et l’apparence du corps, ce n’est porteur de rien ;)

I live in USA two years, after a few mounth I couldn´t fit into any of my brads.
I think there is lots of hormones in all the food in the country. It´s not healthy. Take care with milk . When I was there i used to go to Trader Joe to buy the food.

Oh là, moi qui croyais que les Françaises étaient beaucoup plus pointilleuses… je me trompais!

Même si j’apprécie le contenu du texte de Garance, il serait bien de prêter une attention plus particulière à l’orthographe.

Je suis assez d’accord avec cette citation:  » The smaller the dress size, the larger the apartment ». Prendre soin de son corps demande une dose importante de temps. Hors, quand on a de la difficulté à joindre les deux bouts et qu’on n’arrive pas à trouver de solutions à nos problèmes financiers, il devient assez dur de contrôler le stress, de bien manger et de trouver le temps nécessaire pour faire du sport… À méditer… !

Je vis à Montréal et je dois avouer que je flippe quand je vois mes copines manger autant… Non pas que les filles soient grosses par ici, mais je ne les considérerais pas minces non plus. Dans la normale, quoi. Du haut de mes 5pi3 et de mes 100 libres, je suis assez obsessive dans mon alimentation et, même si je pratique du sport régulièrement, je sens que je pourrais en faire davantage. Peut-être que New-York serait une ville parfaite pour moi après tout!

J’avais regardé un documentaire sur la viande aux USA, et bien franchement, si je devais vivre dans ce pays, je ne mangerais que du bio certifié. Autrement, on ne sait jamais ce que notre assiette peut contenir…

Merci Garance pour ton texte et j’espère que tu arriveras à trouver l’équilibre parfait entre ta diète et ton mode de vie.

xx

I so understand you. Back in the time, when i lived in States, I gained extra 10 pounds. And I didn’t even eat that much! I believe the whole problem is in the hormones given to beef and chicken, which end up affecting us in kinda similar way. I would strongly recommend you to start eating organic food and check out the organic restaurants in N.Y., (like Pure Food and Wine). At least then you’ll be sure that the food you are eating is healthy. And yes, you’ll stop gaining weight in an abnormal way!

I would love you to compare England skinny to that of the NY or Paris skeletal model frame!

Cela pourrait s’expliquer aussi par le fait que, de manière générale, la nourriture est plus grasse et beaucoup beaucoup plus sucrée aux USA. C’est ce que j’ai remarqué en tout cas…

Bonjour Garance,
A chaque fois que je me rends à New York, je prends mon petit déjeuner vers 8h00 dans un Starbucks pour voir le défilé des NewYorkaises qui vont travailler … je suis toujours impressionnée par leur look parfait.
Sans parler du samedis après midi dans les ongleries … du footing en tenue recherchée à Central Park le dimanche matin … un mode de vie que j’essaie de copier en rentrant à Paris, mais cela ne dure pas très longtemps.

Le statut social, l’histoire est la même à Paris avec un discours moins direct …

Je trouve difficile à New York de s’alimenter à la « française », ce dont j’aurais du mal à me passer … surtout la diversité et la qualité des produits.

Si tu peux les imiter et arrêter de fumer, ce sera quand même pas mal …

Bonne journée

I grew up in a Southern family in which it seemed to be expected to eat A LOT at every meal. Have seconds, thirds…My grandmother grew up on a farm, and they needed a lot of food. But now everyone works in an office. Maybe they just never stopped eating. My theory is to eat a few bites of dark chocolate rather than a whole piece of cake. (Unless you really really want the whole piece of cake.)

As to the quality of the food, I think the American consciousness is just becoming aware of the growth hormones and chemicals on our food. I’m hoping things will start to change.

– Meredith
http://www.findingsoulbalance.blogspot.com

Ton billet est très drôle! Ca me rappelle une expérience lointaine : mon voyage chez les correspondants allemands quand j’étais collégienne. Je suis revenue plus grosse, et aussi avec des boutons.

Je ne suis jamais allée à NY donc j’avoue ne pas savoir à quoi ressemblent les vraies New Yorkaises, pas celles des séries. Mais bon ça ne m’étonne pas qu’elles soient très minces, et ça ne m’étonne pas que nous petites frenchies grossissont à vue d’oeil en allant là-bas car on a tendance à se ruer sur les burger et les méchants plats locals qui doivent être beaucoup plus caloriques que nos habitudes alimentaires en France, ça doit être le prix à payer ! ;)

C’est marrant parcequ’au Brésil ou je vis depuis quelques mois, j’ai noté aussi ce rapport au coprs très présent dans la vie des brésiliennes. Sauf qu’au paradis « latino », pas question d’être skinny!!! Et Dieu merci! L’idée ici c’est d’avoir de belles formes, de les sculpter, et de les entretenir.

Ici il y a le culte du corps pour de vrai, dans le sens ou on le fait exister. Je ne connais pas NewYork mais quand je te lis, j’ai plutôt le sentiment que le culte dont tu parles s’aparente à celui du « non-corps » en somme, puisqu’au final, plus on est mince mieux c’est, c’est à dire, moins il a de coprs, mieux on se sentira!

A Rio de Janeiro, les femmes ont des corps spectaculaires. Un visage oval encadré par de très longs cheveux parfaitement lissés, une poitrine menuue le plus souvent, mais ferme, une taille délicate, une chute de reins parfaitement sculptée qui mène à des fesses rondes, larges et fermes, et enfin des jambes fortes mais élancées… C’est vertigineux!

Mais pour autant tout cela demande autant d’entretien que pour tes copines. Elles ne comptes ni les heures ni l’argent dépensés en instituts de beauté et autres salles de musculation. Mais là encore, c’est un art de vivre. Et j’ai opté pour celui là!

I Love Brasil!!

I am a brit who has lived in NYC for 7 years, I also work in the fashion industry where you have to try very hard to not let the neurosis of most of the women that work in this industry rub off on you. I have tried hard to keep my English wits about me and not sucumb to it all. It is the NYC way where you are constantly striving for more and competition is so fierce for everything (including looking for a man)

A few months back I took some meditation classes in the garment district and the place was filled with fashionistas clicking about in their heels, probably trying to find some meaning in their lives. Though indulging in the many sweet treats the city has to offer would do them the world of good in bringing them some joy!

I have also worked in the industry in Paris where I have to say I found the attitude to eating just as obsessive. I devoured french food but the women around me drank lots of coffee and smoked like crazy to supress the appetite and they were some of the most gaunt looking waifs I came across.

Try living in London for a while, the women there are a little more dishevelled (in a good way) and relaxed in their attitudes.

Good luck with not turning in to Woody Allen while you are here!

You illustrations are beautiful…what pens do you use? is it a mix of ink and pencil?

UGH! you should try living in New York your whole life, then continuing on to go to FASHION SCHOOL!

Such a beautifully written post, Garance. I adore your work.

Je veux ajouter que la meilleure chose qu’on peut faire est de cuisiner soi même avec des ingrédients les moins transformés. Comme ça on sait plus ou moins ce qui entre dans le système digestif. (Encore, excusez mon Français!)

interesting observation. less stressful being a Parisian than a New Yorker.

Ahhh garance! je comprends!! Mais, je suis le contre. J’ai démenagé à Paris il y a deux semaines et tu es correcte!!! C’est different ici à Paris. NOBODY works out like they do in New York! I do miss New York, but I like my once a week-go out for a nice dinner/6 days a week-cook at home for myself. Have fun in New York! I’ll definitely have fun here in Paris sans New York City stressss!!!!

Oh Garance, I would rather have lunch with the Paris you than the New York you any day!!!

I hate to say this, but since we’re about the same age, I have to point out that annoying fact about weight gain after 30 – apparently if you do exactly the same amount of exercise and diet as in your 20s, you will still gain a pound every year. So you have to kick it up a notch every year that you get older, when really it seems like we should be allowed to slow down.
Love the illustration BTW!!

i agree!! gained lots of weight in ny as i thought i’m not the getting fat kind and i will do just fine as i did in my home country. i always ate a lot more than i looked. but, it turns out……once you start gaining, it won’t stop until you realize you’re REALLY fat because you’ve gotten to the point where you just can’t NOT recognize how fat you are even though you try to tell yourself this must not be true!!!! still love NY but man you gotta watch what you eat

Hi Garance, I totally get where you’re coming from (as fellow New Yorker who knows exactly what New York Skinny is) but I can’t help but point out that your generalizations are just that — very general — and probably a bit misguided. You run with the fashion crowd, which is not representative of the city of New York at all. It is a tiny insular world, usually full of very well off people (yourself included). Most New Yorkers, the ones who have boring office 9-5’s, students, blue collar workers, and others who are less privileged (I’m sorry I used that word, I’m not trying to sound super sanctimonious and that word drips of it, but it really is the only word I can think of) are NOT New York Skinny and would probably roll their eyes at you if you ever dared utter your ideas about the subject in their presence. My advice is to keep doing your awesome thing in the fashion world (I love your work), but get out of SoHo every now and then and explore the city — see how the other 99% lives. New York Skinny is only a « thing » for one percent of the population.

Ouhaaaaaouuuuu ! Avec cet article tu es dans le DailyMail !
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2027086/New-York-girls-brink-French-fashion-blogger-laments-pressure-women-skinny-Big-Apple.html
You’re a star, poupée !! ;))
(et très jolie sur la photo !!)

I live in Sydney and I’m intrigued by the people commenting on how Australian portions are becoming ‘Americanized’! Maybe I’m eating in some stingy joints, but getting served massive portions isn’t my experience! It might be what I’m ordering. I don’t eat dairy (I eat goat’s cheese, not cow’s cheese or cream or milk) and only eat fish as a source of animal protein. I rarely eat deep fried food. Maybe if people took some time to examine what they are eating it might make them more able to control their weight.
I did the high protein diet for ages and I couldn’t shift the extra last weight hurdle, no matter how hard I exercised. After cutting out meat and only eating some fish I’m losing the extra weight I wanted to and I exercise less. My diet is really healthy and I eat bread!! Healthy food is a choice and I think that people are mentally lazy in their approach to food. Yes, I know I sound like a ‘food nazi’! I apologize, But ‘you are what you eat’!

C’est très intéressant, en fait j’habite à Paris depuis quelques mois (je suis hollandaise), et je me demande comment tous les Parisiennes sont tellement mince! Avec le vin, le pain et les fromages, qui sont tous trop bon!
Peut-être t’as raison et les portions sont plus petit ici. En plus, on marche beaucoup à Paris, même quand on prend le metro. Ca compte aussi comme des sports, n’est pas? ;)

C’est vrai que les latinos ont le culte du corps féminin sexy, mince mais musclé et rebondi. D’ailleurs, on voit bien plus de femmes qui se font opérer les seins et les fesses que de femmes au régime. Mais la tendance dans les milieux médiatisés est la même, j’ai d’ailleurs croisé la nouvelle miss Brésil, priscilla machado, et elle est maigre comme un fil de fer, même si elle est jolie, pas du tout aussi sexy que les brésiliennes dans la rue. Et miss Mexique est en train d’être destituée pour avoir pris 3 kilos alors qu’elle est très maigre aussi. A voir combien de temps avant que ça « contamine » les anonymes!

Well put. As a European living in NYC i can also say that this is 110% true.
organic/soymilk/almond milk/ vegan/raw/liquiteria cleansing …and then mix them into diets of today’s mood and Voilá!

WORD. i’ve been a stylist in NY for 4 years and i’m really starting to wonder: am i the only one who f*cking eats anything around here?! i just hang out with the photo assistant boys…

Firstly, that’s an awesome illustration. Wow, your work is amazing!

Secondly, I really liked this post. Very interesting and I think the same thing happens in London. I used to live in Denmark and brought my food habits with me to London only to discover that I was unable to eat in the same way and maintain the same weight :(

I’ve recently started dance classes to work it out… :)

Love your blog :)

What can I say… After 4 years in NY… Tu as tout resume… Je n’ai pas pris de muffin top mais les habitudes alimentaires changent, resto souvent, tres souvent, tellement moins cher qu’a Paris, idem pour les take-outs… De retour a Paris apres plus de 4 ans a NY, j’ai eu un grand moment de blues, lorsqu’on a cherche avec mon mec un chinois qui livre… None…

C’est fou… tu mets les mots sur ce qui m’est arrivé en partant en vivre en Nouvelle Zélande… Bon pas que le poids ait à voir avec le statut social ou même qu’il y ait ici des gens skinny. Mais bam en arrivant à moi les éclairs plein de crêmes (ils sont dégueux on s’entend bien mais c’est l’extase de la nouveauté!), les fish & chips, les barres de chocolat énormes (500 gr minimum!), les paquets de chips énormes… tout est ENORME! L’enfer du take away également, tout est à emporter, tout le monde ne bouffe que des cochonneries… ça m’a pris 1 an pour réaliser et depuis c’est Pilates et jogging tous les jours, pas le choix. J’ai essayé de reprendre mes habitudes françaises saines avec un repas à trois services mais avec petites portions, le dîner se finit avec une salade pour la digestion mais punaise ça a pris le temps. Difficile aussi d’au final ne rien faire comme tout le monde mais je pense à ma santé et à tous les additifs dont je ne m’empiffre plus quotidiennement!

I love your brutal honesty. Culture clash! So happy you are practicing yoga. BALANCE in life eh?
xoxo

Your third point is so spot-on. There is definitely something – I don’t know what, but not organic (to the body) – in American food that makes you blow up, due to the body’s inability to break it down effectively. I was in the US for four years for university, during which I gained a surprising amount of weight… I lost it, and then some, once I returned home, despite eating MORE.

Garance – you are gorgeous, stay healthy, and resist the fads of the crazies!

I love the honesty of your writing, you write what everyone is thinking. I think it is generally the difference between the European and American lifestyle. When I am in Europe I always lose weight!

Peroxide Blonde
http://theperoxideblonde.blogspot.com/

Oh, hahaha!
This was THE best! And no one talks about it really, it’s like a secret code and everyone’s just trying to make it to the SkinnyGirl.
Europe vs. America – Europe wins. Everything’s just not as extreme. Hope some day it’s gonna be more balanced in the States as well :) …and I mean this in a positive way!

J’ai hâte de savoir ce que tu as fait après, âlors quel est ce nouveau mode de vie dont tu parles en introduction ?

Sinon l’article est super intéressant et m’a fait comprendre notamment (cf. les normes alimentaires) pourquoi les américains qui veulent manger sainement partent directement sur le bio ou même arrêtent la viande, les laitages, etc. Il n’y a pas vraiment de juste milieu aux US.

Just got back from Paris yesterday and totally know what you mean when you talk about the parisian lifestyle and attitude. Wine, coffee & cigarettes all the way.
And one more thing. Have you read the book ‘skinny bitch’? It’s basically about healthy nutrition and the mention all those things like hormones in meet and the whole egg and milk stuff. Probably the scariest and most terrifying thing I’ve read in my life. Including pretty much every thriller.
bisou

Génial votre article Paris Skinny vs. NY Skinny! Une chose que les Européens ont compris, c’est le juste milieu.

this is a great article…the food industry in north america is so different from that in africa, asia and europe…ive always lost weight whenever i traveled, and part of the pleasure of traveling for me is trying new foods and eating at nice restaurants!

so yeah…new york – food’s yum, but bad for yo’ behind!

thanks for opening up garance :)
dina

http://www.lifeofphi.wordpress.com

J’aime bien ce post Garance. :)
Moi, si je passe 1 semaine à Paris ou à NY, je vais prendre du poids à Paris je pense. Je suis allée dans les 2 villes et je peux te dire que c’est difficile de résister à votre nourriture parisienne. <3

P.S.: J'ai une question pour toi: depuis que je suis toute petite, je rêve d'aller habiter à New York. Je suis tombé en amour avec à l'âge de 11 ans. Est-ce que tu as un conseil pour moi si je veux aller m'installer dans cette ville qui ne dort jamais?
Merci!

I agree completely- I’m originally American but have lived in Latin America my entire life. When I go to the states it’s almost impossible not to put on weight and right when I get home I have to readjust and get used to the small portions, the lack of eating out, and the lack of food whenever we do go out (it’s much like a european society where I live). I will probably be moving to NYC next fall and can’t wait to start cooking for friends and family and I think that’s one way to maintain your weight; with restaurant food you don’t know if they’re using the best products, or even what they’re putting in your food… the easiest way is to be your own cook and maintain a healthy diet. I don’t think there’s a need to work out in NYC since walking is such a large portion of one’s day activities already.
I have to say I love your drawing style and admire your work. Thanks for the article, it’s dead on.

Amanda

it’s mostly the added sugar. there’s sugar in everything here, sugar in mayonnaise, sugar in pasta sauce, sugar in… well, everything. hidden sugar. it’s so very very cheap.

quelle vie bougeante et changeante au gré du temps….

http://www.younglington.blogspot.com

I moved to the U.S. six years ago and I haven’t gained any weight. (I live in D.C.) and I actually lost 3 lbs. I knew after a few months coming here that eating out will make me fat. I’m really particular about what I eat because I have a horrible genes, especially when it comes to having heart disease. So I became more conscious and I only eat out on special occasions and even then im really careful what I eat.

Just try to eat everything fresh and have a balanced diet. I wouldn’t trust anything that promotes fresh sounding food from fast food joints.

Yes! Stay away from American meat and dairy! You will gain so much weight. And also stay away from soy, processed foods, any preservatives…they preserve fat. I find in New York women are either pudgy from the previously mentioned are absolutely skinny from running around, over working, going to the gym and living off Starbucks.

It’s very hard in the city to nurture yourself when it comes to food. It’s exhausting so sometimes the last thing you want to do sometimes is prepare healthy food. Also produce is very hard to find. I could go on and on!

Mon dieu, j’ai déménagé à Boston il y a deux ans pour l’uni, et c’est exactement les scènes que je décris à mes potes qui ont du mal à croire que les New Yorkais (et à Boston aussi hein,,,) font beaucoup (trop) attention à leur physique!! Je compatis Garance! C’était un changement de mode de vie, ca c’est sur!

Merci pour ce post très intéressant et plein de sincérité. Les changements de style de vie ont souvent une influence sur notre corps. Le tout est de se réveiller à temps !
http://www.pose-mag.fr/

Ms. Dore, I love this and I don’t want to disagree with you about these two cities in any way, but having visited Paris many times and lived in New York for a while, I want to just say…you’ve obviously never seen Seoul Skinny. Takes things to a whole new level and makes both New York and Paris a moot point. Seoul girls are crazy skinny, no competition in the world.

Ici à Amsterdam, les filles ne semblent avoir aucun problème avec la nourriture – qu’elles conçoivent comme un carburant pour le corps : un bon gros sandwich pas très bon et puis hop, c’est reparti!
Elles ne sont ni maigres, ni grosses, juste tranquillement bien portantes. On dirait qu’elle n’ont aucun complexe ; leur rapport à la nourriture est très sain et en meme temps, c’est un peu triste, car il manque un peu de passion là-dedans…

je viens de lire l’article du daily mail en rapport à ton article!! félicitations !

J’aime beaucoup ton texte, tu as vraiment saisi l’ambiance et la mentalité new yorkaise. Et ton illustration est chouette !

antonia neyrins
artiste voyageuse
site http://antonianeyrins.com
blog http://carnetsdevoyage.blogs-de-voyage.fr/

can’t say how grateful I am for your honesty and your realistic image you are giving here…

it’s why i eat organic food.

Awesome!

congratulations

http://www.thelifestylenews.blogspot.com

This is so interesting! I’ve never lived in NYC or Paris and live on the West Coast of the U.S. but I HAVE noticed that people in New England are ALWAYS eating out. People on the West Coast eat out a LOT less and everyone I know seems to care about the chemicals and hormones in their food/cooking homemade « real » food with good ingredients; and people in general, in the cities, seem nice, normal sizes! Everyone is also active too, running, hiking, surfing, biking, that sort of thing, because the weather is so mild. So the NYC thing strikes me sort of as East Coast craziness. For me, why worry about it!

Also, no offense, but you maybe need to hang out with more than just fashion people, size 0s are not the norm, even in NYC. ;-)

Sometimes I think you read my mind. Seriously. It started with the documentation of your first jobs (restaurant, art museum… mine are the same), followed with the turquoise nailpolish article, and continues with this. And obviously I love everything in between. But thank you for this article. I’m moving to Paris next month and cannot wait! J’espere de trouver tous les choses que vous avez dit de Paris la. Si j’ai la chance de rencontrer quelqu’un comme vous (ou un peu comme vous de tout!) je vais penser moi-meme tres de la chance! (Oui, je sais que mon francias n’est pas parfait, mais j’espere de trouver un meuilleur comprehension a Paris aussi. Et aussi, j’espere, les accents sur le keyboard.)

This is my third time to view this post. Brilliant article that no nutritionist or scientific studies could ever come up with. It is equally backed up with your readers comments in which every single comment has been noteworthy and informative. You should be proud.

You’re right – the hormones and additives in our food do make a difference. There are less vitamins in the food, so you eat more of it – your body is just trying to get the nutrients it needs. Plus, a lot of the chemicals they put in food to improve the flavours, give you sugar cravings! In Europe, the food is still healthy, but in the USA, Australia and UK, our food supply has totally changed since the 1970’s. And yes, it makes us fatter.

The best way to deal with it is to eat organic and avoid ALL additives and convenience foods. Its hard, but the food supply is so polluted that its your best option (other than moving back to Europe or a going to third world country where the crops and products are still clean and healthy.)

Thanks for your always delightful insight.

I think your experience is pretty universal. It happened to the lady who wrote ‘French women don’t get fat.’ I am from Australia, but my parents are Europeans. I think a bit of the US eating habits have crept into Australia. I love wine, cheese, food etc. My aussi friends often ask me, how do I eat like this and remain the size I am?
I don’t a an exercise regime, but I move. I will take the stairs, I will lift heavy things, go the longer way. Also, it’s about balance. When I am out at an amazing restaurant, I am there to enjoy. I listen to my body, if I have had many rich foods, my body will naturally crave for simple, lean things the next day. BALANCE. That’s the difference.

Thank you, so true! I think skinny is great but skinny to the brink is unhealthy and leaves the body no reserve if you get sick.

I love this article! I also find this subject fascinating!
-Daysha

I love this post. Thank you for your honesty & projecting it in such a way, that it was humourous (at times) and such a delight to read.

?, Rosa T.

Oh please les nanas, curvy is the new skinny.

« Adapt or die… » so the saying goes. New York is a tour de force. Deal with it… I find you are spot on. In a way. Struggling to put my finger on it, I get the vibe that something has changed since being skinny crept into your blog. The free and fresh, bubbly and bursting joy of life has a new companion, a sort of shadow it strikes me. I so dearly enjoyed your flamboyant, playful view of aesthetics, void of utilitarian prescriptions. « Please, unleash again! », I want to say and know it isn’t my place. I am sure there is a lot of pressure on you – yet: Isn’t the real battle the one keeping fanatic skinnyism’s joylessness at bay? Think Paris in the morning, surrounded by fabulous patisseries… truly wonderful… think vegetables and steak, this is joy! I don’t know about you, but sizes 0-4 remind me more of forced malnutrition than of female beauty. I hope you keep sharing your Parisian esprit with us – even if in New York disguise. Martha, Berlin – age 29, size 8, Bachelor, Master, PhD

I am a Latina, and the way the American media potrays us as curvy-licious and stuff isn’t all that true. Head down to Mexico (in my case) and you’ll see very thin people who eat breakfast, brunch, ‘dinner’ at 3pm and go out for hamburgers at 8pm! Don’t forget the numerous snacks like cookies, more bread and fruit. I easily consumed about 3000 calories per day when I was there and I lost weight. Why? because I was more active and the stuff was so much better for me! And street food in Mexico? Healthier (and cleaner) than you’d think. Endame, sweet potatoes, corn that’s 3 servings of veggies right there!

Well, well, well…. everybody knows that in Europe we eat better and healthy and the mediterranean diet is the best one for sure!
Great post Garance!

Justement c’est pour tout cela que les New yorkaises adore les françaises, car on est belles sans besoin de faire trop attention , c’est la french attitude….je crois qu’un sourire vaut plus que des bras muscles!

This is so true Garance! Thank you for this article! I’m Parisian, living in the US and have been experiencing the same thing. Thanks for putting it into words!

Love your article, so perfect said. I read it to my husband and he agrees. He is the most anti fashion, don’t gain a pound person ever. But he loves your writing. You have a very blanced view and I wish more people in Toronto would read it. Keep it up

WOW, this article has hit a nerve. We all struggle with our weight at one point. Your readers appreciate your dilemma. I for one am curious to know what happens to our bodies when we travel. I have always been jealous of the Parisian diet. What is a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do you really eat dinner at 21 heures? how do you digest your food that late at night? On vacation in France and Italy I always gain weight. Too many treats. Too many 3 course meals. Too much wine! xxx

I live in Montreal and the restos are world class. Portions are generally good. I eat well, I cook well, walk a lot and exercise with my family on the weekends. I have cut dairy out. I do not eat friend food. I am still struggling! Maybe I should take up smoking? KIDDING

PLEASE GIVE US SOME HOPE. HOW DO YOU SHED THE POUNDS? YET NOT DEPRIVE YOURSELF?

I loved it!

I am sure that each one of us had this kind of experience with food.. when you think, you will stay as you are for ever..and then you realize that your weight is increasing.. but it’s ok because you still believe that you can loose it in a week.. But NO .. it stays here! especially after a certain age.. I lived in Paris for 18 years.. and the weight has never been an issue.. i have never missed my glass of wine and desert at lunch.. and it was super ok!
I moved to Dubai.. and it’s the same story.. god knows how the meet has been raised.. and the vegetables have no taste at all… in less than 3 month I gained 8kg.. and since I am still struggling to loose them.. I never realized how lucky I was to live in Paris till I left ..It is by far the best city to eat..

But I still love food and learned to accept that won’t be as skinny as I used to be in Paris but I still can wear a size 38 and feel good about myself.. I would be sooo depressed if I don’t eat what I feel like eating.

Garance NY or not.. If you enjoy cooking you should never stop.. it’s the best way to eat what you love without doubting too much about the quality.
xx

Incroyable aussi le fossé qui existe entre le New York « healthy » et le New York « junk food »!
J’ai fait des échanges d’appartement et est donc vécu quelques mois à Manhattan chez différents new yorkais, dont deux étaient proches de l’obésité. Et leurs cuisines faisaient un peu flipper… Mis à part le fait que l’équipement pour cuisiner est hyper sommaire, voir inexistant, les placards sont remplis de trucs inhabituels comme des Jell-O (ces gelées bien chimiques avec des arômes artificiels improbables et des colorants dignes du pays des teletubbies) et de l’aspartame en guise de sucre, dans le frigo des sodas 0% et des sauces plus bizarres les unes que les autres. En gros aucun produit naturel comme du sucre, de l’huile d’olive, du beurre… mais juste des produits transformés dont l’étiquette vous fait la promesse du zéro calorie: « no fat », « sugar free »…
Et à côté mon pote, new yorkais également, qui est végétarien, ne boit aucun soda, boycotte les fast food, fait du foot (du soccer bien de chez nous!) et du jogging…
Pour ma part j’ai perdu un peu de poids alors que j’avais déjà prévu de prendre les quelques kilos réglementaires. J’ai pas mal évité la viande (avec tout ce qu’on entend sur les hormones ça fait pas trop envie) et aussi énormément sillonné la ville… à pied!

Quelques photos de mon voyage sur mon blog…

I haven’t been on here for a while but I noticed that the mood of your writing has really changed. I’ve lived in New York too. It’s wonderful in some ways but it’s a hard city.

Et si NY est pire que la France, et que la France est pire que le reste de l’Europe… Je comprends que des New Yorkaise sont vraiment mais vraiment skinny!

Get healthier habbits but PLEASEEEE don’t fall into that frenetic pressure!!! We need people like you to keep the world in balance!

I loved this…

Coming from an american, please don’t get all american on me! I depend on you for your more relaxed, pleasurable opinions? insights? One of my favorite quotes is from a french man: Everything in moderation, including moderation!

cheers!

the same thing happened to me when i moved back to new york after living in milan for 2 years. 7 pounds, just like that. all of a sudden and before i even realized it. now i work out every day to get back to normal. but everything you wrote is really spot on. the portions, the amount people go/eat out, all the hormones and preservatives in the food. it’s pretty disturbing.

I put a WordPress blog on my website a few days ago, and I was just curious about how it works. So I just want to know if all the posts are saved into a single file or if they are separate for each post. Then I also want to know where they can be found on my server. Thanks.

Superbe article, merci de l’avoir partagé car j’habite à paris et me rend tout bientot à New York !

I love this!!! I’m from SF and I really wanna see the difference in east and west coast as well. Good luck, I’ll keep checking back for your updates!!!

Nice lines. Made me in a good mood! Thank u!!! Andre

Je suis tout à fait d’accord, d’ailleurs quand on change de pays on prend de poids. Mais c’est surtout vrai que à Paris il y a pas cette pression social par rapport a être mince ou pas. On peut voir ça même dans le langage, ici tout le monde est accepté physiquement tel quel, on peut dire, mince, maigre coustaud, fort etc, en anglaise est: Fat or skinny.
And I can say that from my foreing person point of view, in Paris I’ve been my most fat, but I don,t feel any pressure because pleople don’t find it representive of who I am. If I was with this 7 extra kg back in Colombia or in the US I would be miserable

Mais quand même à New York c’est un peu extrème. Chaque fois que je rend visite il me semble que les filles sont plus minces qu’avant et plus obessives de leur poids.

this is the first thing I read on your blog. It’s great to read and I love the illustration very much.

After moving from the countryside to Oxford and now to Vienna I gained a lot of weight (5kg), which never really bothered me. In the UK the unhealiest things are the cheapest ones and I ate more sweets to prevent homesickness. Vienna instead is a city where you get great food everywhere, you take the tube instead of walking, eat some snacks on the way and at the end of the semester the exams are coming and you are eating all day long.

In my point of view, Vienna is relaxed. Of course there are skinny people here too. But if it wasn’t for my mother, no one would have recognised the 5kg more on my hips.
For me is the best way to loos weight to not think about it all the time. :)

I am late to this party but wanted to say that YES, I have noticed this too, even moving back and forth from the US to Canada! Within a week back in Canada from the US, those few extra points drop off naturally. AND, from Israel to London, where I now live. I ate SOOO fresh and beautiful food in Israel, the food is amazing. Back in London? Packaged, old-seeming food, even the ‘fresh’ stuff. Sad!! Having said that, my ‘trick’ in London is to have much less milk (no more lattes, it makes me break out like crazy but white Americanos are OK), and very little sugar. Sorry, but sugar kills it all. Skin looks older and more worn, mood and energy fluctuates up and down like crazy – I just don’t need it. Of course I can have a special treat here and there but.. well, having said that, when I’m coming on my period and a few days on it, the massive slabs of chocolate (mint Aero bars, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, Galaxy caramels) slip down my throat like water.. and then next week I don’t want them at all!

yES I like thin women, but not paris thin or ny thin. I think a women should look and feel dignified, but not to the homosexual thin boy look.

I’m from New York State but not NYC, and I also got that little 10lb gift. From what I can tell you’re spot on. The opportunities to go out and eat is insane – almost every day the invites come in for brunch, bbq’s and dinner – and it can be very hard not to get caught up. Aside from the large portions I find that it’s become totally normal to be drinking at almost every meal and almost always more than just a casual glass or two of wine. I’m not even talking about night life. As far as I can tell the only way to survive the constant temptation is mass amounts of will-power. Exercise and portion-control are a must here, as is cooking for yourself as much as possible. Regardless, I feel your pain.

J’ai rearqué cela aussi á New York , j ‘Ali grossi car la bouffe dehors est 100 fois plus grasse. C’est aussi très sucré. Le mème dessert a paris est moins sucré. Seul les restau cher cuisine leger. Les take away pas cher rapide c’est du gras Et du sucre.

Yes! Finally someone writes about real cigarette.

So my story is the complete opposite, and I really am stumped about it because I come from Texas, not really a place known for skinny healthy people, but I was in really good shape and very active, I have been in France for two years now and have had a constant 10-15 pound gain that I cannot seem to get rid of!!! I am not sure what is going on, but I am definitely less physically active in France………..and the food…..so rich, and also some of the best produce I have ever had! I am really stumped, all of my french friends eat so much sugar, bread, dairy, wine, and they are all so skinny, and no they don’t work out! I really cannot figure this one out.

Confidence and assertiveness should not be confused with being aggressive or passive.
Because of my avidly strong attraction and distinct preference for
the younger, I stay young, as well. It is
paramount that, women start considering dating to make the distinction in the roles
to be evident.

Just try not to be fat. Don’t eat until you can’t, eat until you aren’t hungry. You don’t have to kill every single thing and lick the bowl. Just stop when you no longer feel hungry.

I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative
and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something regarding this.

At this moment I am going to do my breakfast, when having my breakfast
coming again to read further news.

Thanks for the good writeup. It actually used to be a
enjoyment account it. Glance advanced to more added agreeable
from you! By the way, how could we be in contact?

Nice Article

Thanks for guides nice article

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Great observations. Portion sizes are just far too big here in the U.S. Particularly in the South & Midwest. I can make a meal & two snacks out of one takeout meal from most local places, no exaggeration.

It’s all about calories in vs. calories out. Weight is 80% diet & 20% exercise. I’ve lost 36 lbs in the last 6 months by just eating 1,200 calories (no exercise whatsoever!). Counting calories is not the most exciting thing in the world, but it really is effective in monitoring your energy intake & preventing weight gain. And of course, most restaurants here don’t provide calorie info unless you ask for it. But if you rely on your eyeballs to guesstimate how much you’re eating, it’ll never work. I’ve noticed that sweets will cause you to plump up faster than ANYTHING. I believe some calories might actually be « worse » than others due to their effect on insulin & metabolism so variety is key.

I let myself eat out once or twice a month & go all out…have whatever I want. The rest of the time it’s all about sticking to the CICO diet of 1,200 cals or less. No smoking, drinking, soda, red meat or pork. But tons of carbs & any other junk that’s convenient :}