The Benefits of Regular Exercise In recent years, many people have become increasingly aware of the need for physical fitness. Almost everywhere people turn, whether to a news stall or television, advice for improving health bombards them. Although much of this advice is for commercial purposes, some of it, especially that advocating a regular exercise program, deserves serious attention. Such a program, if consisting of exercise at least thirty minutes three times a week, provides numerous benefits. Regular exercise releases tension, improves appearance, and increases stamina（耐力）． The first of these benefits, the release of tension, is immediate. Tension builds in the body because of stress, anxiety, or fear, Doctors agree that participating in an active sport such as tennis or volleyball for thirty minutes eases tension. If a person swims, jogs or rides a bicycle for half that time, he would sleep better at night and have a better mood the next day. In addition, after the relief of tension, minor irritations and frustrations should be less troubling. For example, if one is upset by the day’s work or by a traffic jam, he may rush home, argue with the family, and eat excessively. Taking about thirty minutes to release frustrations through physical exercise could help him to avoid this behavior. Planned physical exercise, therefore, can eliminate or at least control tension.
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【参考答案】 An improved appearance, the second benefit of regular exercise, is not so immediately apparent. Exercise takes perhaps a month or longer to show its results in a trimmer, firmer figure. Improvement, however, will come. Take a person who is ten pounds overweight for instance. He may be able during this time to burn away most excess fat and to tighten muscles, thereby reshaping the physique. It follows that he will wear clothes more attractively and comfortably. Combined with a sensible diet, an exercise program will also improve a person’s skin tone. This improved appearance will provide confidence and favorably impress others.
