Staying thin in Paris...

[phread]

How Parisiennes stay Thin. redux

We know all about the healthy diet and endless walking on cobbled streets, but local women have another secret up there sleeve.. technology.

You see the salons everywhere. And by everywhere, I mean that there are no less than 2 dozen to choose from within a five minute walk from my apartment, located in a very middle class neighborhood. That means my neighbors must be shelling out large sums of cash regularly in order to keep all these businesses up and running. Either that, or there is some a load of money laundering going on in these here parts. Not likely.

The posters that adorn the store fronts are graced with perfectly firm hips and thighs and the copy whispers insistently "BodyMinceur" or confidently promises "Soin anti-cellulite". Sooner or later my curiosity got the better of me and I began to investigate.

From what I have gathered, and I am no scientist, what really works it rubbing. You take all those round fat cells and rub them around until they fit snuggly and the look is smoother. It also allows for any trapped elements to escape. At least that's what they tell me. Makes sense, so that is what I am going with.

The system is known as CelluM6 or Starvac. Basically they take a semi-powerful suction cup and vacuum the fat around your "problem spots". And lets be honest, they're all a problem spots. At first it hurts. But they claim that as your fat is broken up and tonality improves, the pain will diminish. That is what they say. Personally, I think that your body just gets used to the pain. For whatever reason, it eventually becomes an enjoyable experience. ANd you've got time to get used to the sensations, as they recommend 10-12 visits for the full effect.

Some centers are just about price point. You go in, they suck, you go out. Other places are more full service, with a lymphatic draining massage included. Some are medical and include ultrasound treatments. But here is the thing. For a resolute sceptic like myself, they work.

My daughter noticed the difference immediately and she doesn't even know that I've been attempting this scientific experience on myself. You don't loose weight. That was never the goal, but your cellulite does seem to disappear and you loose a centimeter or two along the way. My pants fit better, I feel better and I am no longer sick at the thought of this summer's beach holiday.

So if you happen to find a CelluM6 or Starvac in your 'hood, and you happen to be curious, give it a try. I can't guarantee anything, but at the very least, it may make you feel all that more Parisienne.

[PariS]

Very interesting, Phread! I think I saw some of these places last week. You say it really works? Hmmm.....now I have a new reason to go back to Paris! LOL

[Megan]

My Mum works for Thalgo a French skincare and spa treatment company and I have had quite a few body treatments with them as a 'cellulite model' ( ha ha I knew I would be a model one day !) , my thighs after one of them were definantly more taut and after the series of ten of them there was a big difference to before. Unfortunatly you have to keep them up and when they aren't free I tend to not have them ................

I can see the addiction !

[kerouac]

I think people become thinner in the pocketbook.

[phread]

That's is for sure, kerouac, unless you're Megan... your Mom want to adopt, by any chance Megan?

[Megan]

I am sure she would but the weekly trips to NZ to get the treatment Phread would quickly out weigh the benefits ! ;D

Mum has been invited to visit Thalgo HQ for a bit of pampering when we are there in July but we really don't want to spend a day there when we are there for such a short time, and it bores me to tears , only a couple of the educators know Mum and what she looks like so if we wing it when they are away perhaps you and one of your daughters could pass yourselves off as Patrice and Megan. ;D ;D ( minus a good twenty years each of course !)

[leslie]

phread~ would it work if I just vacuumed my abs, stomach and thighs a little each day? You say they take out a medium, strength suction cup. Well, why not a med strength vacuum? (Or extra strengh in some spots.) Hey who knows, it may distribute the fat so that it doesn't seem so concentrated in one area. I'm willing to try! But I'll need some good champage while doing this insanity to my body!

[phread]

leslie, as long as the vacuuming involves some deep rubbing, you're good to go. ANd think of all the money you'll save for your next trip to Paris. Where you'll look ab fab, nat'!

I have friends/colleagues from the cosmetic industry (L'Oreal, Clarins and the French Nat'l Assoc.) and they have spent hundreds of thousands trying to prove that their thinning creams work. In all of the research, it is the rubbing action, not the cream that makes the difference.

Now that I've posted this thread I'm hoping people will chime in with their own solutions... I'm especially curious if these torture devices exist in N. America.

[cigalechanta]

Yes they exist along with herbal wraps and endles cremes. So many glamourous film stars have cellulite and they can't get rid of it but surgery would do it, removing those big fat cells.
I suggest you all save your money, forget these products and go to Paris.

[sdtraveller]

Although this thread is about salons and treatments, my wife and I suspect that, in spite of the many eating temptations and women carrying boxes and bags home from patisseries, the leanness we see among reasonably-well-to-do Parisiens (and Parisiennes) results from the habits of eating small portions and walking a lot. N'est-ce pas?

[Happygoin]

I suspect it's that plus the fact that Parisians eat three meals a day of those reasonably sized portions, and they don't snack between meals.

[cigalechanta]

I think they are thin because the food servings are smaller and they walk alot. Look at some of the metro stops how far and how many stairs.

[Darcy]

I think you're both right. I moved to the US when I was 25 and I was amazed (and still am) at the snacking habits of most Americans!

I don't snack at all.

[Anne]

I very much agree about the impact of snacking over weight problems.
Or maybe I am being influenced : rightly or wrongly, snacking is considered as the worst possible thing on a dietetic point of view in France these days, unless you snack on a fruit or yoghurt . The point is that most of the time the snacks will be full of sugar and/or fat, and they will reduce your appetite for the "real" meals, which as a result will make you feel hungry again a few hours after meals and go for some more snacks .
A very few years ago, Education Nationale has instructed écoles maternelles (schools for kids aged 3-5) to stop goûter time at mid-morning because this is considered as snacking and therefore bad for the kids' eating habits .