THE "malaise" suffered by President Nicolas Sarkozy during a run in the park a week ago has thrown light on a relentless self-improvement campaign inspired by his wife, Carla Bruni, a former supermodel known for an inquiring mind and an almost perfect physique. It has emerged that under her influence Mr Sarkozy has given up chocolate, pastries and ice-cream. So determined is he to fight the flab that he often contents himself at mealtimes with a plate of fruit and cottage cheese. Under Ms Bruni's tutelage, Mr Sarkozy is also trying to improve his mind, familiarising himself with artists more elevated than the popular entertainers he used to enjoy. He has even begun to read French literature. As well as jogging three times a week for up to one hour, he has also been working out on the lawn of the Elysee Palace with Julie Imperiali, Ms Bruni's personal trainer, whose focus is on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Even before he collapsed a week ago, aides and friends had voiced fears that Mr Sarkozy, 54, was becoming obsessive about shedding his "love handles", constantly weighing himself and looking at his watch in the hope of achieving better times for his runs. "He's been looking more like a Tour de France rider recently than a president," said Patrick Balkany, an ally in his centre-right party.
THE "malaise" suffered by President Nicolas Sarkozy during a run in the park a week ago has thrown light on a relentless self-improvement campaign inspired by his wife, Carla Bruni, a former supermodel known for an inquiring mind and an almost perfect physique.
It has emerged that under her influence Mr Sarkozy has given up chocolate, pastries and ice-cream. So determined is he to fight the flab that he often contents himself at mealtimes with a plate of fruit and cottage cheese.
Under Ms Bruni's tutelage, Mr Sarkozy is also trying to improve his mind, familiarising himself with artists more elevated than the popular entertainers he used to enjoy. He has even begun to read French literature.
As well as jogging three times a week for up to one hour, he has also been working out on the lawn of the Elysee Palace with Julie Imperiali, Ms Bruni's personal trainer, whose focus is on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.
Even before he collapsed a week ago, aides and friends had voiced fears that Mr Sarkozy, 54, was becoming obsessive about shedding his "love handles", constantly weighing himself and looking at his watch in the hope of achieving better times for his runs.
"He's been looking more like a Tour de France rider recently than a president," said Patrick Balkany, an ally in his centre-right party.
:) ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
