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Lesson 18
How to Keep Fit
Text A
Ten years ago I used to be very fit. T cycled to work and I got a lot of exercise at the weekends. I used to play tennis a lot and go for long walks. In those days I didn't earn very much. I had a job in an office. It wasn't a very good job but I had a lot of time to do the things I enjoyed doing.
Then, about eight years ago, I got a much better job. The pay was better. But the hours were a lot longer, too. I bought a Far and drove1 to work every day. I began to take people out to lunch. 'Expense account2' lunches. And I began to put on weight, too. I stopped playing tennis and going for long walks at the weekend because I just didn't have any time for things like that any more.
There's a lot of stress in a job like mine. Perhaps that's why I starred drinking more than I used to. For example,I used to have only half a glass of whisky3 when I got home, then I started filling the glass to the top. Then I had another glass , and then another. I started smoking4 a lot , too. I never used to smoke at all.
Two months ago I had a heart attack. At first I just couldn't believe it. `I'm too young,' I said. Luckily it wasn't very serious. I was in hospital.a few days and they did a lot of tests. The doctor advised me to stop smoking and to eat less. He told me to do a lot of other things , too. But I don't see how I can do some of them and keep my job. For example, he advised, me to work less, and get more exercise. But I just havern't any time! My job takes everything out of me!
Sometimes I wonder if I should get. anather jab. Perhaps I could do something like I used to do. But if I do that, I won't earn as much. I have a family to support: I have to think of them, too. I just don't know what I should do. What do you think?
Text B
Here is one person who really believes in keeping fit. Her name is Mrs Laura Taylor. She is 45 but looks at least 10 years younger. Let's listen to her story.
It all started about two. years ago. Tn those days things were very different. I was overweight. I used to smoke a lot- about 30'cigarettes a day. I never got any exercise. I used to stay at home all day: I never went out into the fresh air, except to do the shopping.. And even then I used to take the car.
One day I looked at myself in the misror.'My God,' I thought. `I look terrible t' I tried to touch my toes. I couldn't.do it. I found an old dress.I couldn't put it on. It was too small. Or rather, I was too fat! The next day I tried to jog5 a little. At first it was terrible. I mean I just couIdn't run. Not even a short distance. And at ftrst people used to laugh at me.
`Why are you running? Are you in a hurry?' they shouted. But now I've completely6 changed the way i live. I've stopped reating meat and I've statted,eating far more fresh vegetables. My husband and daughter have started that, tdo. At first they didn't like the new food. But they've changed. About six months ago I sold my car and bought a bike. Recently I've started doing yoga exercises. My husband often goes cycling with me now and my daughter jogs7 with me in the evening. 'They've both lost weight and are much healthier than they used to be, too.
Additional8 Information
YOGA
Have you ever tried to hold your breath9 for a long time and then let it out slowly? This is one of the techniques of an ancient Indian discipline10 known11 as Yoga. For thousands of years , people have used Yoga to help search for happiness and contentment.
Students of Yoga often study for as long as 20 years before becoming masters, or Yogis. They learn many different physioal exercises. These exercises are designed to put the students in good Physical condition. Then they can concentrate12 on deep religious13 thoughts without worrying about physical discomforts14.
Many Yoga exercises involve putting the body into difficult positions. Some of them are very hard to learn. Have you ever tried to fold your legs over one another? This is one of the basic Yoga positions. It is called the lgtus position. Most people find it difficult to stay in that positio for even a few minutes. But Yogis train themselves to remain in the lotus15 position for hours or even days. They are taught to overcome the physical discomforts of holding these positions. Other exercises and rules teach concentation- Yogis feel this is the key to finding16 inner17 peace. This kind of concentration18 is called meditation19.
Yogis and many other people practice meditatjon. They claim that it makes them feel relaxed and peaceful. Some people say that it makes them feel better - just as good exercise does. But other people claim that it is a way of achieving a strong religious feeling. These peopie say that meditation helps them feel much closer to God.
The word Yoga itself comes from an ancient Saqgkrit word meanin "union". What kind of union do you think the word refers to? Why would people
want to have this kind of experience?
1 drove | |
vbl.驾驶,drive的过去式;n.畜群 | |
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2 account | |
n.叙述;帐目;帐户 | |
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3 whisky | |
n.威士忌酒 | |
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4 smoking | |
n.吸烟,抽烟;冒烟 | |
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5 jog | |
n. 轻推,轻撞,漫步; v. 轻推,蹒跚行进,慢跑 | |
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6 completely | |
adv.完全地,十分地,全然 | |
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7 jogs | |
v.(使)慢走,慢跑( jog的第三人称单数 );轻敲,轻推 | |
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8 additional | |
adj.添加的,额外的,另外的 | |
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9 breath | |
n.呼吸,气息,微风,迹象,精神,一种说话的声音 | |
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10 discipline | |
n.纪律,风纪,训练,训诫;教养,修养,学科 | |
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11 known | |
adj.大家知道的;知名的,已知的 | |
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12 concentrate | |
vt.集中;聚集;浓缩;vi.集中;全神贯注 | |
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13 religious | |
adj.宗教性的,虔诚的,宗教上的;n.修道士,出家人 | |
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14 discomforts | |
n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 );不愉快,苦恼 | |
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15 lotus | |
n.荷花(莲花,莲饰) | |
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16 finding | |
n.发现,发现物;调查的结果 | |
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17 inner | |
adj.内部的,里面的;内在的,内心的;精神的 | |
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18 concentration | |
n.集中;专注;浓度;浓缩 | |
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19 meditation | |
n.熟虑,(尤指宗教的)默想,沉思,(pl.)冥想录 | |
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