Lots of people wait until January to start getting fit because it feels like a fresh start. The most popular new year's resolution is to improve physical health, like losing weight or eating better. But studies show that many people give up on their resolutions after just a month, and most have given up after six months.
Starting in December might be better because we naturally slow down during the winter months. It's a good time to go against the tendency to be less active and start exercising. By starting earlier, we can get into a routine and develop healthy habits before the new year.
Gyms are usually really busy in January because of new year's resolutions. This can be intimidating for beginners or people who aren't used to working out. But during the Christmas period, gyms are usually quieter, so it's a more comfortable environment for beginners to learn and gain confidence. It's also a good time to take advantage of gym inductions, online resources, and classes to structure workouts and get guidance from instructors.
It's important to have a realistic mindset when it comes to fitness goals. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to make big changes quickly. Set smaller, achievable goals and focus on progress rather than being perfect. Bringing a friend to workouts can also help increase confidence and provide support.
In conclusion, waiting until January to start getting fit is common, but it might not be the best approach. Starting in December allows for a gradual transition and the chance to develop healthy habits before the new year. It also provides a less crowded and more comfortable environment for beginners. By setting realistic goals and seeking support, you can increase your chances of long-term success in your fitness journey.
Original news source: Why do people always wait until January to get fit? (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a copy of the article. Instruct them to read the article and summarize the main points in their own words. After a few minutes, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write three statements related to the article on the board. For example, "Do you think starting in December is a better time to get fit?" or "Have you ever given up on a new year's fitness resolution?" Divide the class into pairs or small groups and have them discuss their opinions on each statement. After a few minutes, have a class discussion and ask for volunteers to share their opinions.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give each group a set of vocabulary words. Instruct them to take turns drawing and guessing the words. They can use only pictures and gestures, no words. The group that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to make a list of the pros and cons of starting a fitness journey in December versus January. After a few minutes, have each group share their lists with the class. Encourage a class discussion and ask students to share their opinions and experiences.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about what they think will happen to their fitness journey if they start in December versus January. For example, "Do you think starting in December will make it easier to develop healthy habits?" or "Will starting in January make it harder to stay motivated?" After a few minutes, have a class discussion and ask for volunteers to share their predictions and reasoning.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Many people wait until January to start getting fit because it feels like a fresh start and a new year's resolution is a common tradition.
The most popular new year's resolution is to improve physical health, like losing weight or eating better.
According to studies, many people give up on their resolutions after just a month, and most have given up after six months.
It might be better to start getting fit in December because we naturally slow down during the winter months, so it's a good time to go against the tendency to be less active and start exercising. By starting earlier, we can get into a routine and develop healthy habits before the new year.
Gyms are usually busy in January because many people make new year's resolutions to improve their physical health, so they join gyms to start working out.
During the Christmas period, gyms are usually quieter, so it's a more comfortable environment for beginners to learn and gain confidence. It's also a good time to take advantage of gym inductions, online resources, and classes to structure workouts and get guidance from instructors.
Having a realistic mindset is important when it comes to fitness goals because it's not realistic to expect big changes quickly. Setting smaller, achievable goals and focusing on progress rather than being perfect can help maintain motivation and prevent disappointment.
Bringing a friend to workouts can be beneficial because it increases confidence and provides support. Having a workout buddy can make exercising more enjoyable and help you stay motivated.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Lots of wait until January to start fit because it feels like a fresh start. The most new year's resolution is to improve physical health, like weight or eating better. But studies show that many people give up on their resolutions after just a month, and most have given up after six months. Starting in December might be better because we naturally slow down during the winter months. It's a good time to go against the tendency to be less active and start exercising. By earlier, we can get into a routine and healthy habits before the new year. Gyms are usually really busy in January because of new year's resolutions. This can be intimidating for beginners or people who aren't used to working out. But during the period, gyms are usually quieter, so it's a more comfortable for beginners to learn and gain confidence. It's also a good time to take advantage of gym inductions, online , and classes to structure workouts and get guidance from instructors. It's to have a realistic mindset when it to fitness goals. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to make big quickly. Set smaller, achievable goals and focus on progress rather than being perfect. Bringing a friend to workouts can also help increase confidence and provide . In conclusion, until January to start getting fit is common, but it might not be the best approach. Starting in December for a gradual transition and the chance to develop healthy habits before the new year. It also provides a less crowded and more comfortable environment for beginners. By setting goals and seeking support, you can increase your chances of long-term success in your fitness journey.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a new year's resolution and why do people make them?
2. How would you feel if you went to a gym in January and it was really crowded?
3. Do you think it's better to start getting fit in December or wait until January? Why or why not?
4. What are some advantages of starting to exercise in December instead of January?
5. How do you think having a friend with you during workouts can help?
6. Do you think it's important to set big fitness goals or smaller, achievable goals? Why?
7. How do you feel about the idea of focusing on progress rather than being perfect in your fitness journey?
8. Have you ever made a new year's resolution? If so, did you stick to it? If not, why not?
9. What are some ways you can develop healthy habits before the new year?
10. How do you think a less crowded gym environment can benefit beginners?
11. Do you like going to the gym? Why or why not?
12. What are some online resources you can use to help with your workouts?
13. How do you think having a gym induction can help beginners?
14. What are some ways you can seek support in your fitness journey?
15. Do you think starting to exercise in December can increase your chances of long-term success? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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