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"  1) No pain, no gain. Bring on the cardio! It&amp;#039;s good to sweat when you exercise. Although Paris is a walking city and you are constantly on the go, getting in a good cardio session a couple times a week is important for overall health. Besides the obvious body-trimming benefits, adding cardio will boost brain health, enhance productivity, rev up your energy and lower stress levels. When looking for a good boutique indoor cycling class while I was there, I found there are only two: one that the their front desk informed me no one actually signs up for (and was brought to Paris by a Californian), and the other was situated in a personal water bath. Yes, a personal water bath. 2) The well-balanced meal. You can&amp;#039;t survive on baguettes alone. As chic and as effortless as it is to grab a hot-out-of-the-oven piece of cooked dough on your morning, lunch and afternoon commutes, cigarettes and baguettes just don&amp;#039;t cut it for long-term health. Nourishing with whole, organic unprocessed foods have been proven to stave off disease, fatigue and hunger. Fill up on colorful foods from the earth and you are well on your way to a long life of health and happiness. 3) Cigarettes are not a food group. I don&amp;#039;t think I need to list out all of the health risks cigarettes can cause to my fellow Americans, as it is well advertised on the box itself, not to mention that statement is also supported by the World Health Organization, Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and every medical board and association on the face of the Earth. If you are looking for a way to keep hunger or stress at bay, take on my natural foods approach to a sustainable and balanced lifestyle for a better shot at loosing weight, chilling out and feeling good. 4) Americans take control and make things happen. While it may seem romantic to hopelessly frolic around a beautiful city, rich in culture, history and daydreams, Americans are dynamic, innovative and full of energy and go after what they want. Daily champagne and croque monsieur for lunch, even in small portions, is not going to keep you balanced. Prince charming is not going to come to rescue you in a moment of weakness. You are never going to make it in the business world if you are waiting for the perfect inspirational moment for a deadline. The timing is now. Take a note from the book of fellow American successors like Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington and Michael Kors, create your own moments and go after your goals. 5) Food and tradition. Ok, so I have to give this one to the French. The French certainly have a bigger sense of tradition and honor for foods and have a greater appreciation where foods are sourced. While the farm-to-table movement is on-trend in America right now, we can still do more to educate on this importance. Knowing your farmers on a personal level is the best thing you can do for yourself. You can learn how they raise their chickens that produce the eggs you eat and the feed that they give their crops which eventually goes directly into your body. Ask your local grocer or waiter these questions when shopping or ordering your foods and let&amp;#039;s take note from the French and take this movement to a whole other level. Here are my go-to Paris spots for healthy breaks and fitness fixes:  Ritual Studio. A Pilates studio that also offers yoga, barre and spin classes. The staff is talented and educated. They offer classes in both French and English so you can touch up on your French verbal vocabulary during plies and batma.  Epicerie Generale. A cute tiny space nestled in the 6th arrondissement that offers fresh daily prepared fine foods, local/specialty products and fresh juices.  Bob&amp;#039;s Juice Bars and kitchens. The spot for raw foods, juices and bites. Holy Planet. An organic health grocery store with fresh sandwiches and salads. Caters to vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs. Cinq Mars. An intimate neighborhood wine bar in the 6th arrondissement perfect for lunch or dinner for two. Manger. A trendy spot located in the 11th arrondissement for beautiful food made with the freshest of ingredients. Sophisticated food and lovely service.  Le Perchoir. The insider&amp;#039;s place for an afternoon cocktail or an elaborate tasting dinner if you&amp;#039;re looking for a hipster nightlife scene. They will accommodate for food allergies or preferences. Glou. A lovely pit-stop for vino or a light lunch while shopping in the Marais. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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