Vocabulary: Bodies and physique 词汇: 身体和体格

Some think this sudden vanity is due to the pressure or influence of role models we see on TV and in magazines. People end up with a perception of what the perfect body should look like. But not everybody wants to put in the effort to have perfect pecs and dazzling white teeth like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

An opportunistic entrepreneur has even invented a muscle-enhancing shirt to be worn under a man's clothes to make him look more of a hunk.

But Joe Warner, the former editor of Men's Fitness magazine in the UK, thinks the padded shirt is just a gimmick. He thinks many people in the country are obese, or overweight, and should accept they need to do more exercise.

Warner says: "I think it's a real shame people still want shortcuts when it doesn't take an awful lot of effort to get to the gym or go for a walk."

Exercise is always a good thing. But we mustn't forget that beauty is only skin deep. Character is more important than appearance.

So before I head off to the pub, it might be worth spending an hour at the gym. I'm not looking to get a six-pack, but looking healthier would certainly improve my confidence and self-esteem.

What about you: how much do you worry about your physique?

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Glossary 词汇表 （点击单词收听发音）

• muscle-enhancing增强肌肉感的
• hunk富有魅力的健美男子，猛男
• padded加衬垫的
• gimmick花招儿
• shortcut捷径
• beauty is only skin deep美貌是肤浅的
• six-pack六块腹肌
• self-esteem自尊心