Discussing the Challenges of a New Exercise Routine
Lisa: So I keep wanting to start, like, an actual exercise routine, but I never have time.
Tim: Yeah it’s hard. I mean I’m sure your schedule’s really hectic right?
Lisa: Yeah.
Tim: Um, you really have to just carve out some time to- for yourself, you know, whether it’s exercise or just to de-stress, uh, you- you have to make a really intentional effort or else it’s not gonna happen.
Lisa: Yeah, I think my problem is- is that I, um, I work long hours and so, um, it- it’s hard for me to… Like, unless I wake up really early to- to be able to go to the gym, I can’t go super late after work.
Tim: Yeah, and it’s just so hard to be in the mood to go to the gym after work, after, like, a long day. All you want to do is relax and watch TV or hang out, right?
Lisa: Yeah, and it’s already like dinnertime, so I’m hungry. And, you know, I also want to make time for, you know, family and friends, and so it’s just- it’s difficult.
Tim: I mean, I’ve been really trying to make a morning exercise routine happen but it’s- it’s so much harder for me to get up that early.
Lisa: Yeah, I have the same problem.
Vocabulary:
exercise routine – a regular plan of physical workouts that you do often, “Walking for 30 minutes every morning is a great exercise routine.”
hectic – very busy and full of rushed activity, “My schedule is so hectic today that I do not even have time for lunch.”
carve out – to successfully save or create some time for a specific purpose, “You need to carve out an hour a day to study for your exams.”
de-stress – to relax and get rid of feelings of stress or worry, “Listening to calm music helps her de-stress after a long day at work.”
intentional effort – a deliberate and purposeful attempt to do something, “He made an intentional effort to smile more and be friendly.”
long hours – working or studying for a lot of time during the day, “Doctors often work long hours at the hospital.”
in the mood – feeling like you want to do a specific thing at that moment, “I am not in the mood to watch a scary movie tonight.”
hang out – an informal phrase meaning to spend time relaxing with others, “We like to hang out at the park on weekends.”
dinnertime – the time of day when people usually eat their evening meal, “The family gathers around the table at dinnertime to talk about their day.”
make time for – to clear your schedule so you can do something or see someone important, “Even when he is busy, he tries to make time for his children.”