Keeping fit
The fitness boom of the past decades led to a big rise in the numbers of
people participating in sports and activities. Those who pursue the latest
fitness fashion are convinced that staying in good physical form requires much
more than regular exercise and balanced meals. For anyone who really wants to
be healthy, fitness has become an integral part of their lives. A lot of
health and fitness clubs, and public leisure centres that were created in many
countries indicate the popularity of sports during the past thirty years.
These centres with their swimming pools, sunshine beach, water slides, and
tropical plants and gyms are very popular among the people. Families can spend
their holidays at huge indoor water parks. In such places everybody will have
much fun.
There are many opportunities for keeping fit. First of all it is necessary to
do exercises. People of different ages can design exercises that will fit
them. Running, jumping, swimming, bending and stretching are among the most
popular exercises. Many people prefer jogging, which is the cheapest and the
most accessible sport. Walking is a very popular activity too. For example,
popular running competitions are now held everywhere. Lots of people want to
see if they can run faster than everyone else. The big city marathons have
become sporting events. Television and newspapers report about them in detail.
In order to keep fit some people do aerobics or yoga; others prefer some kind
of weight training in a gym. People can easily learn more about fitness
through popular books and videos that are sold almost everywhere. A healthy
body becomes a fashion, an ideal of the life of today. Even moderate physical
activity can protect against heart disease and strokes as well as improve
general health and the quality of life. Everyone can benefit from being a
little more active. Making small changes like using the stairs instead of the
lift or walking or cycling instead of taking the bus can help people live a
more active, healthier and enjoyable life. Many sports activities have become
part of daily Russian life. Football has always been the most popular sport
among boys. Playing football is healthy; football also brings people close
because in order to win people have to work as a team. Bicycling is very
popular in Russia. Skiing, skating, fishing and hunting are wide spread in our
country. In summer many people like to go to the bank of the river on a hot
day to swim. Another activity that is popular in our country is
roller-skating. Today it has reached its peak in our country. At present the
lack of facilities make enthusiasts use city pavements or parking lots.
Unfortunately, many people do not take enough exercise to keep themselves
healthy. According to the statistics nowadays 60 percent of men and 91 percent
of women are below activity levels necessary for a fit and healthy life. Many
men and women are overweight.
- Why are people concerned with the healthy way of life nowadays?
- Everybody wants to live a long healthy life. Unfortunately, now it has
become a dream. Because of the contaminated environment people suffer a lot of
diseases. And the best way to be healthy is to do sports. Doing exercises is
the best way to avoid depression caused by the abnormal rhythm of the
contemporary city life.
- Do you do anything for keeping fit?
- I get up very early. Every morning I do my morning exercises. It takes me
forty-five minutes to do them. Once a week I go to the swimming pool. On
Sundays if the weather is fine I like to ride a bicycle in the park.
- Do you think that good appearance is the only motivation of being fit?
- Keeping fit is something that a person does alone. It is nice to look young
and stay healthy as long as possible. Families can spend their free time
jogging, walking, or swimming together. Some families like to get out of their
city into the countryside. They can have much fun in the forests, or on the
bank of a lake or a river. Just for fun they make boat trips or fish. Very
often families spend their free time at huge indoor water parks, where they
can play or relax. But this may not help them to get fitter. They simply enjoy
being together.
- What may help people to get fitter?
- Taking exercise is only one part of keeping fit. It is important to get
slim. Books and magazines about slimming are best sellers today. Some people
eat nothing but fruit for several days. But it won't be of any use without
proper exercises. Besides to avoid serious disease one should give up smoking.
Efforts should be made to inform young people of the terrible consequences of
taking up the habit. Smoking should be banned in all public places.
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