大学体验英语第二册Unit6-Passage B

Finding a Balance
With a common-sense approach to food, I satisfy my hunger and don't feel deprived." 　

　I was a chubby¹ kid who grew into an overweight adult. I was constantly teased for being heavier than the other kids, leaving me feeling shy and self-conscious. I tried several diets, but none worked, and I ended up gaining weight. Another factor contributing to my weight gain was my love for cooking, especially rich, high-fat desserts, which I enjoyed preparing and, of course, eating. 　

　When I finished high school at age 18, I weighed 215 pounds. Lacking the self-confidence to go to a new, faraway school, I decided² to stay close to home instead of going away to college. I continued with my unhealthful eating habits and felt more miserable³ as the weight came on, but I did nothing about it except buy larger plus-size clothes. 　

　My turning point came 10 years later at a friend's New Year's Eve party when I was at my all-time highest weight of 330 pounds. I caught my reflection in a mirror and the truth hit me: I was overweight and unhealthy, and unless I did something about it now, I would only get bigger and unhappier. 　

?After leaving the party, I thought about my past weight-loss efforts and realized they didn't work because they required me to give up foods I loved. Then I would constantly think about food and binge, abandoning the diet altogether. If I took a common-sense approach and ate smaller portions of all foods, I would be able to satisfy my hunger and not feel deprived. 　

　My biggest challenge was finding a way to fit my passion for cooking into my healthier lifestyle. At first, I tried to stay away from the kitchen to prevent myself from thinking about food. The result: Food was all I thought about. There had to be some way to combine cooking with healthful eating. I found the solution after reading several low-fat cookbooks. With some trial and error, I could modify my favorite foods and make them low in fat, yet delicious.　
　The pounds started coming off, and when I started exercising (usually cardio and weight training five times a week), they seemed to melt away. I didn't feel deprived, and I felt free to give my body the care and attention it deserved.　

? I lost 165 pounds over the next two years. I had many ups and downs - including plateaus - but I was determined⁴ to stay on track. Another challenge to me was not to beat myself up if I ate something that was unhealthy and to take it as a sign to abandon my healthful habits. Instead, I vowed⁵ to start again and always keep my goal in mind.　

?Thanks to losing weight and becoming fit I am in tune⁶ with my body and myself. My dream is to help others realize the ease and benefits of low-fat cooking and eating. I've created and published a book of low-fat recipes and run workshops and seminars on healthful eating. Now that I know what I can achieve when I set my mind to it, my dreams are no longer out of reach. I have finally found myself. 　

?Workout Schedule
　　Running, stair climbing, step aerobics⁷ or kickboxing: 60 minutes/5 times a week
　　Weight training: 30 minutes/3 times a week 　

?Maintenance Tips
　　1. Make exercise a priority. After you work out, you'll be more inclined to eat healthfully.
　　2. You don't have to miss out on enjoying your favorite foods to lose weight. Just enjoy them in smaller portions.
　　3. Don't beat yourself up if you slip. Get back to your regular exercise and eating program as soon as you can and forgive yourself. 　

　Have you recently made fitness a priority? 　

1 chubby   

adj.丰满的，圆胖的

参考例句：

• He is stocky though not chubby.他长得敦实，可并不发胖。
• The short and chubby gentleman over there is our new director.那个既矮又胖的绅士是我们的新主任。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 miserable   

adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的

参考例句：

• It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
• Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

5 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

6 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

7 aerobics   

n.健身操，健美操，韵律操

参考例句：

• Doing aerobics is a good way to improve one's health.做有氧健身操是改善健康状况的一个好方法。
• Aren't you going to the aerobics class this morning?今天上午你不是去上有氧运动课吗？