【话题阅读】
背景导入：如今，减肥已经成为一种生活方式。人们希望通过减掉过多的脂肪来获得更好的身材，同时也使身体更加健康。市场上各种减肥方法和理念层出不穷，最普遍的仍然是通过锻炼和节食来达到减肥的目的。然而，减肥对于大多数人来说并不是一个简单轻松的过程。太多的减肥者因为无法坚持而中途放弃。甚至还有很多人在了解减肥的艰辛之后望而止步。
本文启发减肥人士正确认识减肥过程，并提供了一些简单易行的方法和建议，从而指导和鼓励他们实现减肥的目标。
Losing weight can be a daunting① process, especially if you don't know how to reach your weight－loss goal, or even where to start! But like anything else worth trying, a little planning and a lot of hard work will make you appreciate it even more when you finally achieve it. Here are some helpful steps and tips on how to reach your goal.
1. MAKE A GOAL
It's impossible to reach a goal if you haven't set one, so step one of how to reach your weight－loss goal is, of course, actually making one! How much, realistically②， do you want to lose, and, realistically, how much time will it take? Write it down, and circle the date on your calendar.
2．CLEAR THE KITCHEN
Your next step is to clear your kitchen of anything you know you shouldn't be eating or drinking, especially the stuff you find particularly tempting③. For me, I'd open the cupboard and throw away the crisps and then head to the fridge to get rid of the ice cream.
3．PLAN YOUR MENUS
Now that all of the wicked④ temptations⑤ are gone, it's time to plan what you'll eat instead. Write a list of the things you can and should eat every day. Make a plan for five small meals, and make a list of everything you'll need to make them, including two snacks a day.
4．GO SHOPPING!
With that list in hand, head to the grocery store! Stick to the outer edges of the store, where all of the fresh produce, healthy whole grains, and lean⑥ proteins are kept. Avoid the inner aisles⑦ of junk food, and head straight to the checkout.
5．JOIN THE GYM
All the dieting in the world won't give you the body or the improved health you want, if you don't pair it with a workout plan, and stick to it. It's time to join the gym! Can't afford steep membership fees? Then make your own workout at home, by running each morning, or doing aerobics. If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer to help, too!
6．KEEP MOTIVATED TO KEEP GOING
It's been a few weeks since you started your weight loss journey, and you're ready to quit. It's hard to make all of these important lifestyle changes all at once, and it seems that temptation is always lurking⑧ in the form of birthday cakes and holiday celebrations. But hang in there! Remember what inspired you to make all of these changes to begin with. Find your inspiration again, and use it to keep motivated⑨ and keep going!
[注释]
①daunting adj. 使人气馁的；吓人的
②realistically adv. 现实地；实际地
③tempting adj. 吸引人的；诱人的
④wicked adj. 邪恶的；有害的
⑤temptation n. 引诱；诱惑(物)
⑥lean adj. 脂肪少的
⑦aisle n. 过道；走道；通道
⑧lurk vi. 隐藏着；潜在
⑨motivated adj. 积极的；有积极性的
