Odd as it may seem in a culture so obsessed with appearance, we Americans are probably
the most obese nation in the world. We might have more gyms than any other countries, but
apparently not enough people are using them. The number of books, videos, and "miraculous"
medical procedures designed to beautify you in no time could fill an auditorium large enough
for a Richard Simmons dance-a-thon. As P. T. Barnum might have said,"Beware of snake oil
salesmen and information guaranteeing you'll 'lose ugly pounds in as little as 10 minutes a day'." Interestingly, until recently little focus has been placed on how effective weight lifting can
be in the battle of the bulge. How does building muscle help you lose fat? Done properly,
strength training will maintain or increase your muscle mass, a phenomenon physiology
students and fitness geeks refer to as hypertrophy. In other words, because each pound of
muscle burns up to 30-40 calories a day (the exact figure is debatable), someone who lifts
regularly will burn more calories than someone who doesn't.
Here is the beautiful byproduct of weight training: by adding muscle, you may increase
your daily calorie expenditure even when you are sitting at a desk, watching the tube, or
sleeping. (Now there's an outrageous advertising claim: "Get slim while you sleep")
There is, of course, a catch. Lifting weights alone won't make you slim. We all know people
who come to the gym faithfully for years yet never seem to lose those unwanted pounds. We've
even seen some who get fatter. In other words, just because you are strong or diligent about
working out doesn't mean you'll be slim, nor does it mean you're actually fit.
【題組】37. Why is the muscle mass referred to as "hypertrophy" (in bold letters)?
(A) To describe its unnatural size
(B) To describe its unusual weight
(C) To describe its delicate texture
(D) To describe its refined streamline
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