In every gym class I've taken, I felt like the odd one out. Opening the door, I hesitantly asked, “Is this where the HIIT class is?” The instructor yelled, “Grab a dumbbell and yoga mat. We're late for warm-up!” Breathing heavily on the mat, I wasn't sure if I'd make it through the hour.
Glancing around the room, I seemed to be the only one struggling. Everyone else, in their tightly fitted gym wear and not a sign of sweat to be seen, looked as if they belonged. I, on the other hand, with my messy hair and oversized clothes, wondered why I had ever bothered coming.
Earlier that year, I had decided to give fitness a real shot. All my life, exercise had been a foreign concept and in school, gym class was a place of guaranteed embarrassment and humiliation.
I nervously showed up to my university gym for spin class (动感单车课程) on a Sunday morning. I had considered canceling multiple times, but I told myself that showing up was all that mattered.
The instructor was incredibly kind. Within minutes of seeing my weak form, he knew I was new to the class. He walked us through all the various positions on the bike multiple times.
The first time I tried to stand on the bike pedals, I felt my legs shake and immediately sat down. But with each class, my comfort on the bike grew and I became less focused on how I looked and more focused on looking inward. Whether I needed to think about something bugging me, dream about the future or just mindlessly pedal, spin class became my hour a week just for me.
The more I spun, the more I realized how powerful my body was. For what felt like the first time, I was proud of my body's capabilities.
After nine months of spinning, I wanted to challenge myself again. And that's how I found myself in the high-intensity class. If spin class got me used to moving my body, then HIIT class taught me that I have to continuously work to build my fitness and tackle my insecurities.
In all, what truly matters is showing up, not what you wear or your fitness abilities. Because once you show up, the rest gets easier, one sweaty adventure at a time.
1. Why did the author feel like the odd one out in the gym class?(no more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined part mean in paragraph 3?(no more than 10 words)
3. What did the author realize about her body after attending spin class for nine months?(no more than 6 words)
4. Why did the author decide to challenge herself by attending a high-intensity class? (no more than 12 words)
5. What message does the author convey in the text? How does it inspire you?(no more than 25 words)
2 . The 2024 Peace Poetry Awards
The awards contest is to encourage people to explore peace and the human spirit. There are three age categories: Adult (19 & over), Youth (13-18), and Youth (12 & under). The yearly contest is open to people worldwide. Your poems must be unpublished, and in English.
Deadline
All entries must be submitted by July 1st. 2024.
Entry Fee
Adult (19 & over) — $15
Youth (13 - 18) — $5
Youth (12 & under) — no fee
Notes
1. You may submit up to three unpublished poems. At most 30 lines per poem.
2. Include name, address, email, telephone number, and age in the upper right-hand corner of each poem. For the Youth (12 & under) category, please also include your school’s name and your teacher’s name.
3. Title each poem.
4. Please keep copies of all entries as we will be unable to return them.
5. Email your entries to: cwarner@napf.org and Click here to pay your entry fee online; or send your entries and entry fee to Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, 1622 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Awards
Adult Winner — $1,000
Youth (13-18) Winner — $200
Youth (12 & under) Winner — $200
Winners will be announced by October 1st, 2024 on our website. Winners will be notified by email. Past years winning poems can be found here.
1. What does the contest encourage people to explore?| A．Development and challenge. | B．Cooperation and competition. |
| C．Peace and human spirit. | D．Disease and health. |
| A．It includes two categories. |
| B．It is held every three years. |
| C．It only accepts poems in English. |
| D．It is only open to people aged 12 and over. |
| A．name | B．email | C．age | D．fax |
| A．pay an entry fee of $5 | B．write a poem of at least 30 lines |
| C．submit his entry by October 1st, 2024 | D．include his teacher’s name in his entry |
| A．$200 in prize money. | B．$1,000 in prize money. |
| C．A collection of this year’s winning poems. | D．A collection of past years winning poems. |
3 . Which is the right fitness pathway for you?
At our gym, we offer several fitness pathways catering to (满足) different needs and goals. Let’s explore each option in more detail:
Gym Welcome
Price: Free
Session duration: Up to 25 minutes
This pathway is ideal for members who are new to a gym environment. During this session, our aim is to familiarize you with all our facilities and services. You will learn about the key health and safety aspects of the gym and understand how to use the fitness equipment effectively. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with a member of our staff who can provide exercise advice to help you get started on your fitness journey.
Personal Program
Price: Free
Session duration: Up to 55 minutes
The Personal Program pathway is suitable for everyone, especially those who are new to the gym. This program is designed to meet your Individual needs, ensuring a more effective workout. The length of the program can be tailored (专门定制) according to your requirements. Once the program is complete, you can choose to renew it or explore other program options offered by our gym. Please note that personal programs are limited to one program per member every 12 weeks.
Personal Training
Price: £45 per session
Buy five sessions for the price of four at £180.
Session duration: 60 minutes
For individuals who are dedicated to maximizing their training and achieving specific goals, our Personal Training pathway is a perfect fit. Whether you’re an athlete, someone in need of guidance and motivation, or preparing for a particular event such as a sport competition or wedding, our personal trainers will provide tailored guidance and support throughout your fitness journey.
Group Personal Training
Price:
-Two-person personal training session: £60
-Three-person personal training session:£75
-Five four-person personal training sessions: £240
-Five five-person personal training sessions: £330
How to book
If you would like to book or have any questions about the sessions on this page, please speak to a member of staff.This can also be done via email at fitness@sport.cam.ac.uk.
1. Who is the “Gym Welcome” session most suitable for?| A．New gym members. | B．Experienced gym-goers. |
| C．Athletes and competitors. | D．Students with specific fitness goals. |
| A．It can be renewed at any time. | B．It provides individualized workouts. |
| C．It will be a one-time free session for anyone. | D．It is designed to meet the needs of the majority. |
| A．Once every 6 weeks. | B．Twice every 6 weeks. |
| C．Once every 12 weeks. | D．Twice every 12 weeks. |
| A．25 minutes. | B．55 minutes. | C．75 minutes. | D．60 minutes. |
| A．£180. | B．£240. | C．£300. | D．£375. |
4 . Practice Tai Chi & Feel Better
| Free Open House See a demo of tai chi and try a free class, all welcome! Saturday Feb 2 Level 1,566 Lutwyche Rd 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Saturday Jan 19 Mermaid Beach Community Center, 2439 Gold Coast Highway 11:00 am-1:00 pm |
| New Weekly Beginners’ Classes Buranda Primary School, 24 Cowley St, Woolloongabba STARTS Thu Mar 7 6:30 pm-8:00 pm Holland Park St Joachim’s Hall, 24 Crown St STARTS Tue Mar 5 5:30 pm-7:00 pm You can choose one of them. |
| Health Recovery Classes Health recovery classes are for people with chronic (慢性的) illnesses, or who are recovering from illnesses, to work on tai chi at their own speed. You can start anytime, and start to feel the benefits. Level 1,566 Lutwyche Rd STARTS anytime Thursday 11:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Short Courses Are you short of time? In just one afternoon or a weekend you can get a quick introduction to tai chi. SAT APRIL 27 to SUN APRIL 28 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Introduction to tai chi(weekend) Room 502, Building 13, St Peter’s College For more information, visit the Short Courses page on our website. |
 Bookings are important. Call 3357 5600 or email brisbane@taichi.org. |
| A．Mermaid Beach Community Center. |
| B．Buranda Primary School. |
| C．Holland Park. |
| D．St Peter’s College. |
| A．Every day. | B．Once a week. |
| C．Twice a week. | D．Once a month. |
| A．6:30 pm-8:00 pm | B．5:30 pm-7:00 pm |
| C．11:00 am-12:30 pm | D．2:00 pm-4:00 pm |
| A．Free Open House. |
| B．New Weekly Beginners’ Classes. |
| C．Health Recovery Classes. |
| D．Short Courses. |
| A．Make a booking. |
| B．Build a website. |
| C．Become an active person. |
| D．Learn a lot about tai chi. |
5 . My First Marathon
A month before my first marathon, one of my ankles was injured and this meant not running for two weeks leaving me only two weeks to train. Yet, I was determined to go ahead.
I remember back to my 7th year in school. In my firs P.E. class, the teacher required us to run laps and then hit a softball. I didn't do either well. He later informed me that I was “not athletic”.
The idea that I was “not athletic” stuck with me for years. When I started running in my 30s, I realized running was a battle against myself, not about competition or whether or not I was athletic. I was all about the batter against my own body and mind. A test of will!
The night before my marathon, I dreamt that I couldn't even find the finish line. I woke up sweating and nervous, but ready to prove something to myself.
Shortly after crossing the start line, my shoe laces(鞋带) became untied. So I sopped to readjust. Not the start I wanted!
AI mile 3.1 passed sign: “GO FOR IT, RUNNERS!”
By mile 17, I became out of breath and the once injured ankle hurt badly. Despite the pain, I stayed the course walking a bit and then running again.
By mile 21, 1 was starving!
As I approached mile 23, I could see my wife waving a sign. She is my biggest fan. She never minded the alarm clock sounding at 4 a.m. or questioned my expenses on running.
I was one of the final runners to finish. But I finished! And I got a medal. In fact, I got the same medal as the one that the guy who came in first place had.
Determined to be myself, move forward, free of shame and worldly labels(世俗标签), 1 can now call myself a “marathon winner”.
1. A month before the marathon, the author__________.| A．was well trained | B．felt scared |
| C．made up his mind to run | D．lost hope |
| A．To admit the support of his teacher. | B．To amuse the readers with a funny story. |
| C．To show he was not talented in sports. | D．To share a precious memory. |
| A．To show the author's injured ankle. | B．To show the length the Marahon |
| C．To show the wife's support to the author. | D．To show the author’s great perseverance |
| A．He made it. | B．He quit halfway. |
| C．He got the first prize. | D．He walked to the end. |
| A．A man owes his success to his family support. | B．A winner is one with a great effort of will. |
| C．Failure is the mother of success. | D．One is never too old to learn. |
