2007年VOA标准英语-Exercise Becoming More Popular in US

By Ana Ward¹
Washington, D.C.
26 February 2007
 
watch Exercise report

Many Americans are facing serious health issues associated with unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise.  With growing health concerns, more people are joining gyms for exercise and the motivation to change their eating habits.  For Producer Ana Ward, VOA's Jim Bertel has more on the benefits of working out.

 
Regular exercise is more and more becoming a part of the daily routine for Americans
More and more Americans are joining gyms across the country.  Some go to get back into shape.  Others go as a way to relieve stress.  No matter what the reason one thing is for certain.  These people understand the benefits and the importance of exercise. 

One gym user, Rad, told us, "Its pretty important.  It makes me feel good especially if I do it after work or at lunch like I am now."

Rad is an advertising² consultant³ and like many people, is in a position that has him behind a desk for most of the day.  So going to the gym is the best way for him to stay fit and relieve the stress of everyday life.

"It gives you more energy, makes you feel healthier, and lets you eat more of the food you want to eat without feeling guilty," he says. 

Rad and other gym goers understand that by working out they are preventing the onset⁴ of serious health issues such as obesity⁵.  According to the American Obesity Association, 127 million adults are overweight, while 60 million are obese⁶

This condition can lead to other health issues such as diabetes⁷, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.  With such frightening statistics it is no wonder that more and more people are getting into shape. 

Jason DeRavaniere is the District Manager of the Washington Sports Club. He says that more and more people are becoming aware of the health benefits of exercise. "People are realizing that when they do work out and when they eat right, they'll actually, its been proven that they'll live a longer life and you know, a lot of people want to live a longer life for their families, for their kids, so it's really good to see that now."

Like many other gyms, the Washington Sports Club offers various programs and equipment to keep gym goers motivated to work out. "We have aerobics⁸ classes you know different types of classes yoga, pilates, boxing just to name a few."

And Rad, the busy consultant, says it does not have to take much time out of your schedule to go to the gym. He says, "I usually come 3 to 4 times a week."

Even if you cannot make it to the gym that often, fitness experts say a minimal⁹ amount of daily exercise will help maintain a long and healthy life.

1 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

2 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

3 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

4 onset   

n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始

参考例句：

• The drug must be taken from the onset of the infection.这种药必须在感染的最初期就开始服用。
• Our troops withstood the onset of the enemy.我们的部队抵挡住了敌人的进攻。

5 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。

6 obese   

adj.过度肥胖的，肥大的

参考例句：

• The old man is really obese,it can't be healthy.那位老人确实过于肥胖了，不能算是健康。
• Being obese and lazy is dangerous to health.又胖又懒危害健康。

7 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

8 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？

9 minimal   

adj.尽可能少的，最小的

参考例句：

• They referred to this kind of art as minimal art.他们把这种艺术叫微型艺术。
• I stayed with friends, so my expenses were minimal.我住在朋友家，所以我的花费很小。