Trắc nghiệm Unit 9 (Fit and healthy) - Sách COMPLETE PET

Reading passage 1 (15-24): My Fitness Journey

My name is Tom, and a year ago, I was someone you might call a ‘couch potato’. My daily routine involved going to school, coming home, and spending at least five hours playing video games or watching TV. My diet was terrible, mostly consisting of fast food and sugary snacks. I rarely did any exercise, and I often felt tired and out of breath after climbing just one flight of stairs. I knew I needed to change, but I didn’t know where to start. The moment that changed everything was when my doctor, whose advice I always trust, told me that my health was at risk. That was the wake-up call I needed.

I decided to start small. I began by going for a 20-minute walk every evening. At first, it was difficult, and I wanted to give up many times. After two weeks, I started jogging for a few minutes during my walks. It was exhausting, but I pushed myself. I also made significant changes to my diet, replacing junk food with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. The changes were slow, but I started to feel more energetic. After a month, I had lost a few kilograms and could jog for 20 minutes without stopping.

To keep myself motivated, I joined a local running club. It was a place where I met many people who shared the same goal of living a healthier life. They were very supportive and gave me lots of useful tips on everything from the right running shoes to stretching exercises that prevent injuries. The club organised a 5km run, an event which seemed impossible for me just a few months earlier, and I decided to participate. I trained for weeks with the group, slowly increasing my distance and speed. There were days when my legs ached terribly and I felt like quitting, but the encouragement from my new friends kept me going.

When the day of the race came, the atmosphere was electric with excitement, and I was incredibly nervous standing at the starting line. The first few kilometers were tough, but then I found my rhythm, focusing on my breathing just like my friends had taught me. Seeing them cheering me on gave me a huge boost of energy. I managed to finish the race without stopping, which was a huge achievement for me. I didn't win or even get a fast time, but crossing that finish line felt like the greatest accomplishment of my life. It was a personal victory against my old self and all my bad habits. Today, my fitness journey continues. I still run regularly and I have even started swimming. I am fitter, happier, and more confident, knowing that the first step, no matter how small, is the most important one.