The Brits know what the French don’t know (or are afraid to write about): Carla Bruni told Nicolas Sarkozy to use Julie Imperiali as his personal trainer:

The 26-year-old trainer reportedly ordered Mr. Sarkozy, a dedicated jogger and cyclist, to shed two pant sizes and forbade him chocolate, cheese and pudding. The trainer gave Mr. Sarkozy a punishing exercise routine that left him looking more like a “Tour de France rider than a president,” a friend told Mirror.co.uk.

Carla and Julie have been good friends for a long time, and work hard on toning their bodies. And after a good workout, both like nothing better than lying down on a sofa — with or without leather boots:

(I couldn’t find any sofa pics of Nicolas, but I’m sure you don’t mind.)

Finally, here are some exhausting action shots of Ms. Imperiali: