【文摘】快速减肥法

In this Moment of Science Don tells Yael about another weight loss program. At least this one has some scientific validity¹, but don't count on losing a lot of weight this way.  
D: One thing you listeners don't know about me is that I used to weigh an incredible² three hundred pounds. Ever since I started the Moment of Science weight loss program, though, I've been slimming and trimming³ until I'm now in the spectacular  shape you see today.

Y: Don . . . you look the same as you always have.

D: Well, okay. But I do fidget.

Y: You fidget? What does fidgeting have to do with weight?

D: Maybe a lot! Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota did some experiments to try to figure out why some people gain weight more than others do.

Y: Boy, I can relate to that. Some people can eat whatever they want and they never seem to gain a pound.

D: In this study, volunteers were given a thousand extra calories a day--about two cheeseburger's worth of extra intake⁴.

Y: This kind of study I'd like to be in!

D: Well anyway, they also wore special devices⁵ that recorded how much they moved-- you know, walking up and down steps and whatnot. Everybody gained weight, but some people gained much less than others. The culprit? Fidgeting.

Y: You mean just drumming your fingers or scratching your neck or something?

D: Any motion⁶ takes energy to perform. And little motions⁷ like rearranging things on  your desk or stretching your back, if you do them all the time, start to add up. We generally only think of large motions, like exercise, as burning calories. But people   who have the fidgets may be doing a slow, steady burn all day long. 

1 validity   

n.有效性，正确性，正当

参考例句：

• I would question the validity of that assumption.我会质疑那个假设的正当性。
• The tests have been shown to be of dubious validity.这些试验的有效性已显得令人怀疑。

2 incredible   

adj.难以置信的，不可信的，极好的，大量的

参考例句：

• Some planets run at incredible speed.某些星球以难以置信的速度运行着。
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.她的回答显示出不可思议的愚蠢。

3 trimming   

n.整理；修剪；装饰品；配料v.整理(trim的现在分词)；削减；装饰

参考例句：

• The gardener spent a complete morning in trimming those two shrubs. 园丁花了整个上午的时间修剪那两处灌木林。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Weeks of exercise succeeded in trimming down her waistline. 几个星期的锻炼使她苗条多了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 intake   

n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口

参考例句：

• Reduce your salt intake.减少盐的摄入量。
• There was a horrified intake of breath from every child.所有的孩子都害怕地倒抽了一口凉气。

5 devices   

n.设备；装置( device的名词复数 )；花招；（为实现某种目的的）计划；手段

参考例句：

• electrical labour-saving devices around the home 节省劳力的各种家用电器
• modern labour-saving devices such as washing machines and dishwashers 诸如洗衣机和洗碗机之类的现代化省力设备

6 motion   

n.打手势，示意，移动，动作，提议，大便；v.运动，向...打手势，示意

参考例句：

• She could feel the rolling motion of the ship under her feet.她能感觉到脚下船在晃动。
• Don't open the door while the train is in motion.列车运行时，请勿打开车门。

7 motions   

n.（物体的）运动( motion的名词复数 )；提议；通便

参考例句：

• She just went through the motions of being a poetess. 她只不过装成一个女诗人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He always accompanied his speech with motions. 他讲演时总是伴以手势。 来自《简明英汉词典》