Vocabulary Words

Lesson 9Diet and Exercise

Aerobic

• Adjective• Having to do with strengthening the heart

through increasing oxygen consumption

• Running, walking, and swimming are aerobic activities.

Compulsive

• Adjective• Compelling; caused by an obsession

• Watching their diets can become compulsive for ballet dancers.

Condition

• Noun• State of physical fitness

• My doctor advised me to resume swimming in order to get back into good condition.

Diligence

• Noun• Long, steady effort; perseverance

• It takes diligence to train to be an Olympic athlete.

Fanatic

• Noun• One who is excessively enthusiastic

• Since Anne took the exercise class, she has become a fanatic about physical fitness.

Gaunt

• Adjective• Excessively thin, often caused my suffering

• The overly restricted diet left the girl pale and gaunt.

Insensible

• Adjective• Unconscious; unable to feel sensation or

emotions

• The weight-lifter was knocked insensible when he tripped over a dumbbell and hit his head.

Languid

• Adjective• Listless; having no energy or vitality

• It is no wonder he acts languid after his rigorous, four-hour workouts.

Nutrient

• Noun• A substance that nourishes

• What nutrient is common to both apples and oranges?

Nutritious

• Adjective• Nourishing

• Eating a nutritious breakfast is a good way to begin each day.

Obese

• Adjective• Fat; grossly overweight

• Many teens feel they are obese when they are only slightly overweight.

Physiological

• Adjective• Pertaining to the normal functioning of living

organisms

• A physiological study of the community has determined that poor nutrition is our most serious health problem.

Physique• Noun• The body, with reference to its form

• The young woman has excellent posture and the physique of a dancer.

Recline

• Verb• To lie back

• Some people recline on a slant board and then do sit-ups.

Rejuvenate

• Verb• To make youthful again

• My mother hoped a vigorous daily workout would rejuvenate her.

Restrain

• Verb• To prevent from doing; to keep under check

• I often need to restrain myself from eating second helpings.

Sprint

• Verb• To run a short distance at top speed

• I was late for school and had to sprint the last block.

Sustenance

• Noun• Something that maintains life or health,

especially food

• A well-balanced, low-fat diet will provide ample sustenance.

Torso

• Noun• The trunk of a human body

• A good workout will exercise all of the muscles in the torso.

Wheeze• Verb• To breathe with difficulty; to make a hoarse,

whistling sound

• I was so winded after the long race that I started to wheeze.