HOW TO KEEP FIT

Read and remember how to use the words:

fit: to keep fit; to feel fit; to be fit. A little exercise each day will keep you fit. I hope you're feeling quite fit. The boy felt fit and strong again.

regular: regular exercise; regular classes; regular hours; regularly; to play sports regularly. We should have our meals at regular hours. Regular visits to the dentist are necessary.

track-and-field: track-and-field events. I prefer track-and-field events to any other kinds of sports. Do you participate in track-and-field events?

tournament: a chess tournament; tomorrow's tennis tournament. The results of chess tournaments are studied and discussed by thousands of fans in different countries. Who will take part in our class tennis tournament?

record: to set a record; to set a record in running; to break a rесоrd. Tom dreams of setting a school record in swimming, and he is training hard for it.

to achieve, an achievement: to achieve good results; to achieve one's aim. The achievements of science in space exploration are really impressive. Had they carried out many experiments before they achieved such brilliant results?

stamina: I didn't have the physical stamina needed for digging. Everyday training has done wonders for your stamina.

advantage, disadvantage: the advantages of a good education; to take advantage of; to have an advantage over something or somebody; to give somebody an advantage. The doctor explained the advantages of the new treatment over the old one. We took advantage of the sunny weather to arrange a football game. What are the advantages of living in the country?

to display, display: be on display. Such a display of courage and skill must be admired by all. Some people like to make a display of their knowledge. The new models are on display at the museum. His attention was caught by the photographs displayed outside.

to encourage, an encouragement: to encourage a man to work harder; to encourage a boy in his studies. At foreign language lessons the teacher tries to encourage his pupils to speak about many different things. Every boy and girl should be encouraged to participate in sports and games.

PRACTICE

Exercise 1.
a) Three teenagers tell us what they do to keep fit.

Paul
I play in our football team. So I simply have to keep fit. Playing football is hard work today. You have to train a lot. Once or twice a week I get up early in the morning and go for a run in the woods. At first I felt tired after running for only ten minutes. But I soon got used to it. Today after half an hour's run I feel fine.
Monica
I don't really do anything just to keep fit. But I get a lot of exercise doing things I enjoy. I belong to the school gym club, and I go skating at our ice rink. It helps me to feel cheerful after a hard day at school. And it gives me plenty of exercise. Now we've got a new PE teacher at school. He's going to start a badminton club, which sounds fun. So I think I shall try that - though I can hardly imagine where I shall find the time.
Andrew
My case is a bit different. A year ago I went through an operation. I had to lie in bed for a long time. Now I'm still not strong enough. To be quite honest I didn't very much care for sports and games before. Unlike most boys of my age, I sometimes even stayed away from PE lessons at school. Now things have changed. I get as much exercise as possible. I have to. What, then, can I do to keep fit? A lot. I play tennis, for instance. On my doctor's advice I've begun to lift weights to strengthen my arms. What I like best, however, is swimming. I hope I'll soon be quite well again.

b) Say which of the things these teenagers do you also practise.

Exercise 2.
a) Say what you think keeps people fit.

Use the following:
have stamina
daily training
go in for...
training in a gym
do gymnastics
play football
mountain climbing
plenty of exercise
roller-skating
improve health
riding on a skateboard
physical fitness
feel cheerful
participate in...
develop a skill at doing
regular exercise
go swimming
test oneself
b) Say what may keep you fit.

Exercise 3. Many people enjoy training in a gym, taking exercise classes, or doing exercises at home. They believe that physical fitness is important.
Say what you do to keep fit.

Exercise 4.
a) Say which of these sports, in your opinion, are excellent for stamina:

cycling
hill walking
jogging
doing aerobics
swimming
skiing
playing football
playing tennis

b) What other sports can you add to this list? Give your reasons.

Exercise 5. Discuss the following:
· Do you think it is an advantage to have a tennis court, a swimming pool and a large gym at school?
· What are the advantages of having a sports centre near your house or school?
· Are there reasons which prevent your playing sports or devoting your free time to active leisure and hobbies? What are they?

Exercise 6. Agree or disagree. Give reasons for your answer.
1. Our health doesn't depend on our way of life.
2. Healthy food is not very important. What really matters is plenty of physical exercise.
3. To keep in good health one must get plenty of sleep, plenty of rest and plenty of food.

Exercise 7. Read the sayings and this quotation and remember them. Explain how you understand them.
· An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
· Health is above wealth.
· There are a lot of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven't time to enjoy it.