6 . When it comes to being fit and healthy, we're often reminded to aim to walk 10,000 steps per day. This can be a frustrating target to achieve, especially when we're busy with work and other commitments.

The 10,000 steps a day target seems to have come about from a trade name pedometer sold in 1965 by Yamasa Clock in Japan. The device was called "Manpo-kei", which translates to "10,000 steps meter". This was a marketing tool for the device and has seemed to have stuck across the world as the daily step target. It's even included in daily activity targets by popular smart-watches, such as Fitbit.

In ancient Rome, distances were actually measured by counting steps. In fact, the word "mile" originated from the Latin phrase mila passum, which means about 2,000 steps. It's suggested the average person walks about 100 steps per minute，which would mean it would take a little under 20 minutes for the average person to walk a mile. So in order for someone to reach the 10,000-step goal, they would need to walk about five miles a day, nearly two hours of activity.

Researchers have investigated the 10,000 steps a day target. The fact that some studies have shown this step target improves heart health, mental health, and even lowers diabetes (糖尿病) risk, may, to some extent, explain why we have stuck with this number.

But while some research has shown health benefits at 10,000 steps, recent research from Harvard Medical School has shown that, on average, nearly 4,400 steps a day is enough to significantly lower the risk of death in women. This was when compared to only walking around 2,700 steps daily. The more steps people walked, the lower their risk of dying was, before leveling off at around 7,500 steps a day. No additional benefits were seen with more steps. Although it's uncertain whether similar results would be seen in men, it's one example of how moving a little bit more daily can improve health and lower risk of death.

7 . Are you trying to find the best time for exercise?     1     Follow these tips to figure out what fitness routine works best for you.

Dawn, dusk or dead of night — when’s the best time to work out? Well, that depends on when’s the best time for you, because the benefits of physical activity depend upon how consistent you are.     2     But if you’re not a morning person, it may not work for you to try to get up at dawn to work out. The key is to do what’s most likely to work for you consistently.

    3     If you find that working out too late in the evening keeps you from falling asleep easily, shift your exercise session earlier in the day or try less intense, more mindful forms of movement.

To stay motivated, choose activities you enjoy. If you’re a social person, do something that engages you socially. Take a group exercise class, join a recreational team or walk with a group of friends. If you prefer having time alone, walking, swimming or biking solo might be a better fit for you.     4    

There are so many choices.     5     Having a variety of fitness activities to choose from may keep you from getting bored or burnt out.

8 . Sports can help you keep fit and get in touch with nature. However, whether you are on the mountains, in the waves, or on the grassland, you should be aware that your choice of sport might have great influence on the environment.

Some sports are resource-hungry. Golf, as you may know, eats up not only large areas of countryside, but also tons of water. Besides, all sorts of chemicals and huge amounts of energy are used to keep its courses(高尔夫球场) in good condition. This causes major environmental effects. For example, in the dry regions of Portugal and Spain, golf is often held responsible for serious water shortages in some local areas.

In fact, there are many environment friendly sports. Power walking is one of them that you could take up today. You don't need any special equipment except a pair of good shoes; and you don't have to worry about resources and your purse. Simple and free, power walking can also keep you fit. If you walk can regularly, it will be good for your heart and bones. Experts say that 20 minutes of power walking daily can make you feel less anxious, sleep well and control your weight better.

Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment friendly equipment and buying products made from recycled materials. But the final goal should be "green gyms". They are better replacements(代替物) for traditional health clubs and modern sports centers. Members of green gyms play sports outdoors, in the countryside or other open spaces. There is no special requirement for you to start your membership. And best of all, it's free.

If this 13-year-old American boy succeeds in his effort     1     (climb) Mount Everest, he has modest ambitions — pick a small piece of rock from the top of the world as a memento (纪念品 ) and wear it in a necklace.

"I will not sell it or give it to anyone. It is something for     2     (me) to say ‘this is a rock from the summit', ” Jordan Romero from California, told reporters in Kathmandu. He left     3     the mountain on Sunday.

If he     4     (succeed), Romero will become     5     youngest climber to scale the 8,850 meters Everest summit.     6     (current) a 16-year-old Nepali boy, Temba Tsheri Sherpa, holds the record of being the world 's youngest climber of Mount Everest. But Romero said he was not after     7     (set) climbing records.

Romero said Mount Qomolangma was part of his goal to climb the highest mountains on all seven     8     (continent).

"It is just a goal,” he     9     (say) confidently. "If I don't succeed I am okay. I will try again. ”

Romero has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount McKinley in Alaska among others.

"I know it requires a lot of     10     (patient). I will remain patient. I want to stay safe and make right choice, ”Romero said.

10 . It seems every major city and town around the world hosts an annual marathon, with thousands of athletes running a gruelling 42.1 kilometres. While many runners' motivation is to beat their personal best and cross the finishing line without collapsing, they're also doing it for a good cause—to generate funds for charity. But like other major events, the marathon also generates a massive carbon footprint. Thousands travel —some by plane—to the location, and waste from food packaging and goody bags gets left behind by spectators and runners. This is becoming a big issue for cities—how to host a worthwhile event, encouraging people to exercise and help charities, while protecting the environment? Several cities have developed formal plans to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable （可持续的） ideas. One event in Wales, for example, introduced recycling for old running kit .

It's something that this year's London Marathon tried to tackle by reducing the number of drink stations on the running route, giving out water in paper cups and offering some drinks in eatable seaweed capsules. They also trialled new bottle belts made from recycled plastic so 700 runners could carry water bottles with them during their run. London Marathon event director Hugh Brasner told the BBC: “There are a lot of initiatives （倡议） we are using this year that we think will lead to some huge behavioural changes in the future.”

Meanwhile, some people still think running a marathon could be our best foot forward in helping the planet. Dr Andrea Collins from Cardiff University told the BBC: “Training for a marathon makes you more sustainable in day-to-day activities. I started walking or running to work every day and shunning public transport altogether. Being environmentally friendly while training sticks with you and becomes a way of life. ”