VOA标准英语2012--US Surgeon General Stages 'Walk to Wellness'

 

US Surgeon General Stages 'Walk to Wellness'

Benjamin is the 18th surgeon general of the United States. On Wednesday, she led what she called a "walk to wellness" through the streets of Washington -- to encourage people to take a break from work and be active. As "America’s doctor", she says it’s important to make healthy habits part of everyday life.

“Health doesn’t just occur in a doctor’s office or hospitals only. It also occurs where we live, where we learn, where we work, where we play and where we pray,” Benjamin said,.

From her early days as the founder¹ of a rural health clinic in Alabama, to her present leadership role in the advancement² of preventive care, Benjamin has been going across the country promoting a national prevention strategy.

“Our vision is to move our country, based on sickness and disease, to one based on wellness and prevention. And, our goal is to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life," she said.

Wearing workout gear, or in their regular work clothes, a crowd turned out to join Benjamin Wednesday -- walking about two kilometers through the nation’s capital.

“I actually really enjoyed seeing the surgeon general come out and show us all that walking and physical activity is important for everyone,” said Rachel Sigler.

“A lot of Americans are overweight and we really need to get fit. It’s really an excellent idea. I felt I burned extra calories so it was wonderful,” said June Joyer.

To get the walkers even more pumped up, Benjamin enlisted³ Cornell McClellan, the personal trainer for President Obama and his family. McClellan, who led the pre-walk warm up, says if the first family can do it, everyone should.

“They are what we call the ideal client. They are motivated and knowledgeable⁴. Now, as a trainer I do have to push them from time to time so they can be a little upset with me, but generally they are very easy to motivate,” McClellan said.

But even as the first family’s trainer, McClellan says he still has to find time to do his own workout.

“I have three teenage sons. They are all athletes and I like to work out with them. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your children and it helps to push me because I like to beat them when we work out," McClellan said.

Whether it’s finding quality time with your children or taking a break from work, Benjamin says staying active is a key factor in winning the battle against a number of preventable diseases.

1 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

2 advancement   

n.前进，促进，提升

参考例句：

• His new contribution to the advancement of physiology was well appreciated.他对生理学发展的新贡献获得高度赞赏。
• The aim of a university should be the advancement of learning.大学的目标应是促进学术。

3 enlisted   

adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持）

参考例句：

• enlisted men and women 男兵和女兵
• He enlisted with the air force to fight against the enemy. 他应募加入空军对敌作战。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 knowledgeable   

adj.知识渊博的；有见识的

参考例句：

• He's quite knowledgeable about the theatre.他对戏剧很有心得。
• He made some knowledgeable remarks at the meeting.他在会上的发言颇有见地。