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 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.

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.

Looking For a Flat

- Well, this is the flat. It’s vacant at the moment. I’m afraid the previous owners didn’t look after it very well, so it’s not in perfect condition.

- Mmm…

- As you can see it’s in need of some decoration and repair. There are four rooms altogether: kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. This is the living room. It hasn’t been decorated recently.

- Yes, it certainly needs doing up… All the wallpaper is coming off the walls, and it’s very cold and damp. How is the flat heated?

- Well, there’s an open fireplace, but it could be taken out and central heating could be installed.

- Mmm… It’s not very large. I want to put up some shelves for books and things.

- What is that up there? Is that a hole in the ceiling?

- Oh, yes. I’m afraid it is. I didn’t notice that the last time I was there.

- Well, that will definitely need seeing to before it does any damage to the property.

- Yes, of course. But I do think the flat has potential. It could look very good if it’s done up nicely.

- Well, I’m certainly interested. Obviously, I’ll need to talk it over with my husband. You say it’s vacant. Does that mean we could move in immediately?

- Yes, the flat is empty so you could move in when you’re ready.

- Well, I’ll certainly think it over and if we decide to make an offer I’ll call you tomorrow. Thank you for showing me round the flat.

- No trouble, Mrs. Jones. We hope to hear from you tomorrow then. Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

My Household Duties

We all live in the society and that's why each of us should have not only rights and wishes but also responsibilities. That's how the world is created. And this dependence is being retraced not only on a large scale but everywhere: at school, at work, at home and so on. Each of us has his own responsibilities in all spheres of everyday life. Everybody seems to like to come to a clean flat with already cooked tasty food and friendly people. But that's not an easy thing to be achieved, because parents are usually busy with their work and children — with their studies and only a little time is left for housework.

The same situation exists in our family. That's why I think that it's not a bad idea to have a subdivision of duties at home. I am always very short of time because of my studies and I cannot help my Mummy much to keep the house. My brother is only 8 and he can't help much, too. And my Dad is always busy with his work. So, as you see, my Mum is doing almost all housework. But still we all are trying to help as much as possible.

I have some household duties which every person has to do every day. So I always make my bed, clear away the dishes and wash them up and take out the rubbish, no mater how busy I am. That doesn't take much time at all. I have no pet and that's why I'm more free then some of my friends. Pets are necessary and important but they take too much time to look after.

But when I’m more or less free my usual round of duties is larger. Once a week I help my Mummy to dust the furniture, vacuum the carpets, sweep and wash the floor, water the flowers and put everything in its places. Actually, it is the only time when I'm happy about living in a two-room flat — it doesn't take me the whole Saturday evening to do everything. So, that's my usual weekly round of duties and it's not very difficult to keep the house if you do it regularly.

But sometimes I have some other things to do. When my Mum is away from home I do the cooking and washing up, buy food and plan my meals. Actually, I can't say that I am really heaped with housework. But sometimes I am too lazy to do even my part of work and start arguing about it. Sure, then I feel guilty and try to correct the situation by doing some extra one.

Let's Have a Picnic

Picnics are popular with women and children and some men who know how to make a fire. Children are fond of picnics chiefly because, as a rule, there are no tables at picnics and consequently no table manners. Since picnic lunches are always just about the same and therefore require little imagination, women do not have to trouble about thinking up a meal. Much depends, of course, upon the day. Typical picnic weather is of three kinds: either, it is dark and threatening with occasional showers in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, or it is hot and clear in the morning, with thunder showers in the afternoon; or there is a steady drizzle all day long. But as most of the lunch is prepared ahead of time, nothing much can be done about it. After all, there is not much choice between eating a picnic lunch that has waited a day or two and getting a soaking. Picnic grounds are usually situated on a body of water, or at some high altitude. One of these features is essential, for no picnic can be a success unless the children have something to fall into, or fall off. Also, a body of water naturally suggests taking fishing tackles along. No fish was ever known to have been caught on a picnic, but fishing serves as an excellent excuse for getting out of the way while the heavy work is being done. Quite the most important feature of the picnic is the lunch. Fried chicken is always popular ... Then there should be hard-boiled eggs. Almost everything else that comes in a can or a paper bag is good for a picnic lunch. These containers are very important as, after the contents have been eaten, they are thrown about and identify the picnic ground. Beer, too, should be brought along to remind you that you left the bottle-opener at home. However, there is always at least one person present who knows how to open a bottle on a rock. As soon as the food and other equipment have been unpacked it is in order to start a fire. Collecting wood provides occupation for people who do not know how to amuse themselves. After the lunch has been eaten a picnic is mostly over. But there is always the possibility of someone nearly getting drowned or running into a hornets' nest or twisting an ankle. However, you must remain until well into afternoon, or you may not appear to have had a good time. To make matters worse, someone will suggest singing.