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.