Xi. Fitness Pills

4-day Intensive (Feb 1-4, 2010)
Ajarn Major Dr.Ra-shane Meesri (rashanemeesri@gmail.com)

Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University
Ngxbfxit9^ The Fitness Pill
Pre‐reading vocabulary

Word Meaning
approved verb allowed to do or have (often by the government)
benefit verb improve one's condition
drug noun a substance that changes a person's natural state or ability
enhance improve one's ability at a sport
performance verb
evidence noun something that helps support or prove a belief
fitness noun good physical health
ill adj poor health
muscles noun parts of the body that provide strength
overweight adj having too much body fat
pill noun a small tablet (usually circular or oval) of medicine that one
swallows
previous adj before
spare time noun extra time in the day that is not part of a schedule
1

training verb working up to a certain fitness level or goal
treadmill noun a machine that you run on
The Fitness Pill
These days there are pills for just about everything. If you can't sleep, take a

pill. If you're unhappy, take a pill. What about if you're overweight and you
don't have time to exercise? A new fitness pill may soon be available. Scientists
are developing a pill that provides the same benefits as exercise. According to
a BBC report, the fitness pill will "build muscle, increase stamina, and even
burn fat."
Would you take a pill if it meant you no longer needed the treadmill?
Researchers found that mice who took these pills could run long‐distances
without previous training. The test mice also ran almost twice as far. There is
evidence that humans on these pills will also be able to build muscles without
exercising. Furthermore, the research suggests that those who exercise and
take the fitness pill will be even stronger.
Some researchers think the fitness pill will be useful in certain situations.
People who cannot get out of bed due to ill health may benefit from the drug.
Those with diabetes may also benefit. Many diseases cause muscle wasting,
which prevents patients from recovering. Other researchers feel that the
average adult might benefit from such a drug. Most adults do not get the 40
2

minutes of daily exercise that doctors recommend. The fitness pill requires no
need for spare time.
The greatest concern about the fitness pill is in the sports world. Some fear
that athletes will be tempted to use this drug to enhance performance. The pill
has not been approved for human use yet, however, some athletes may
already be taking it. Top athletes already go through extensive drug testing
before national and international events. The world renowned gold medalist
swimmer, Michael Phelps, voluntarily went through extra drug testing before
the 2008 Olympics. He wanted to prove to the public that his strength comes
from hard work and training before the world became skeptical.
Vocabulary
1 If you benefit from something, your condition (a. stays the same, b.
improves, c. worsens, d. goes up and down).
2 The opposite of healthy is (a. alive, b. ill, c. in healthy, d. muscular).
3 Running every day is an example of fitness (a. working, b. timing, c. training,
d. performing).
4 When something is "approved" by the government, people are (a. allowed,
b. evident, c. forbidden, d. enhanced) to use it.
5 Many people like to exercise in their (a. over, b. under, c. on, d. spare) time.

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Reading comprehension

1 Which of the following will the fitness pill NOT do?
a. make you thinner
b. make you faster
c. make your stronger
d. make you sleepier
2 What was used to test this pill?
a. sick people
b. fitness instructors
c. mice
d. professional athletes
3. True or False? Researchers believe that those who exercise and take the
pill will benefit more than those who don't exercise at all.
a. True
b. False
4 How much exercise is usually recommended by doctors?
a. 4 minutes per day
b. 40 minutes per day
c. 4 hours per day
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d. 40 hours per week
5 How will this pill affect professional athletes?
a. they will break twice as many Olympic records
b. they will face further testing
c. they will not have to train very hard
d. they will face a greater risk of muscular disease
Eliminating Trans Fats
Pre‐reading vocabulary

Word Meaning
avoid verb try to stay away from
banned verb not allowed
cholesterol noun a substance present in animal fat and tissues; too much
can lead to heart disease
detail verb describe in full
diet noun what a person chooses to eat
hydrogen noun a colorless gas that burns easily
ingredients noun all of the foods that go into a meal or product
5

junk food noun snacks that do not provide any nutrition
majority noun the largest amount
make mouth just thinking of this food makes you want to eat it
water idiom
obesity noun a condition of having too much body fat
processed adj when the natural form of the food is changed greatly
(usually with a machine)
restrictions noun limits; rules
saturated fat usually from animals, solid at room temperature
noun
texture noun the feeling of a type of food (ex.chewy,tough)
voluntarily without being required or forced; at one's own will
adverb
Eliminating Tran Fats
Does your mouth water when you think of potato chips, donuts, and pie?
Many people prefer "junk food" to healthy food because they develop a taste
for it. Processed, baked, and fried foods typically contain a high amount of
trans fats.
Trans fat raises the bad cholesterol in your body and lowers the good
cholesterol that the body needs. Fatty foods do more than cause obesity. Trans
6

fats build up in the body and block blood flow to the heart. People whose diet
contains a high percentage of trans fats are at risk for heart disease and stroke.
Trans fat is a semi‐solid type of oil. It is made by adding hydrogen to liquid oil.
Food companies and restaurants like to use trans fat oil because it is
inexpensive and makes food like crackers and baked goods last longer. It also
improves the taste and texture of food. Trans fats became very popular in the
second half of the 20th century. This is around the time when butter got a bad
name. People were told to use margarine instead because it was made from
trans fats.
Today doctors know how dangerous these processed foods are. In countries
such as the US and Canada there are new government restrictions on food
production. Food and beverage makers have to attach a Nutrition Fact label to
their products. These list daily recommendations and detail all ingredients
including the amount of trans fats in a product. New York city banned trans
fats from all restaurants. Even fast food chains such as McDonalds are being
forced to change their recipes. In Europe, food manufacturers have started
using a voluntarily labeling system at the consumers' request.
We all need some fat in our diet. There are three different types of fats:
saturated fats, trans fats, and unsaturated fats. Doctors recommend that we
get most of our fatty calories from unsaturated fats. Neither butter 'nor
margarine fit in this category, though there are some spreads that contain zero
trans fats. Labels are a good way to avoid eating fatty foods that are dangerous
7

for your health. Another way is to avoid eating out. When shopping for
groceries, buy the majority of your goods in the fresh food aisles.
Vocabulary
1 The types of foods that go into a recipe are called (a. diets, b. ingredients,
c. junks, d. processed).
2 Potato chips and chocolate bars are examples of (a. hydrogen, b. obesity,
c. junk food, d. t d. textures).
3 Food that you find delicious can "make your mouth (a. water, b. soak,
c. drain, d. wet).
4 According to the article, too much fatty food causes (a. obsession, b. obesity,
c. aggression, d. acidity).
5 Nine out of ten is a (a. majority, b. minority, c. mediocrity, d. millennium).
Reading comprehension
1 Which of the following are typically high in trans fats?
a. baked goods
b. fried foods
c. fresh produce
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d. saturated fats
2 What do trans fats do to the body?
a. lower good cholesterol
b. raise good cholesterol
c. raise bad cholesterol
d. lower bad cholesterol
3 According to the article, why are North American consumers more aware
of their fat intake?
a. Doctors appointments are mandatory.
b. Nutrition labels are required on foods.
c. Food labels are voluntary.
d. Healthy choices are taught in school.
4 True or False. Some fat is necessary in the human diet.
a. True
b. False
5 What tip does the article suggest for avoiding trans fats?
a. Buy North American food
b. Buy mainly fresh food
c. Eat out in restaurants
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d. Skip margerine and butter
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4-day Intensive (Feb 1-4, 2010)

Ajarn Major Dr.Ra-shane Meesri (rashanemeesri@gmail.com)

These days there are pills for just about everything. If you can't sleep, take a

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