Obesity is an unhealthy con-dition, for it means that this delicate machine which is your body is not doing its work prop-erly. In that case, only the doctor can treat you. Usually, however, the cause goes back to two factors: the first is poor nutrition, and the second, too little physical exercise. If your weight increases suddenly and greatly, you must consult a doctor. But if the increase is gradual — and it usually begins in your late twenties or early thirties — if the increase is of that kind, its cause is usually that you eat too much and exercise too little.

The answer in this case is simple and easy: you must reduce the quantities of your food, avoid rich dishes, and exercise regularly every day.

Diet

Let us begin with diet first. What are the fattening foods you must beware of taking

in abundance? They are fresh white bread, sugar, potatoes, cakes, sweets, macaroni, peas, and beans — so be on your guard against them. You must also cut down on fatty foods and avoid fried dishes, and eat no meat but red meat or the flesh of fowl. Avoid rich soups. Cut down on dairy foods and white cheese. And do not forget that while fresh fruits are good for you, dried fruits such as raisins and dates contain a great deal of fattening sugar.

The woman who wishes to keep a slender figure must follow this basic rule: never eat more than three meals a day. And try, as far as possible, to avoid drinking while eating — even plain water. If you wish to drink any liquid, let it be half an hour before the meal, or two hours after it.

Exercise

As for physical exercises, you must first attend to correct breathing. Begin your exercises

by breathing deeply, for pure air purifies the blood, strengthens the muscles, and helps to remove fat.

Perhaps the best exercise for removing fat is horseback riding. If that is not within reach, then brisk walking, if you keep it up regularly, will soon reduce the stoutness of your waist and shoulders. And she whose time does not allow her a full hour's walk can replace this exercise with ten minutes of skipping rope.

Here are the exercises for slimming the body:

For correct breathing: stand in a comfortable position with your hands above your shoulders and your feet apart; then breathe deeply

through your nose, and at the same time draw in your stomach as far as you can, counting five to yourself while taking your breath; then let your breath out through your mouth while relaxing the muscles of your stomach — and repeat this operation five times.

For the waist, neck, back, and arms:

Lie face down on the floor, bend-ing your arms, placing your palms under your shoulders, and turning your elbows out a little. Raise your body from the waist by pressing on your hands; you must keep your legs straight, and raise no part of your body but your waist and what is above it. You will feel that the pressure falls on the stomach and back, if you perform this exercise correctly. When you feel this pressure, hold it for a moment, then lower

your body slowly — repeat this operation five times, and later on, ten times.