Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
It takes a little bit of work every day to stay healthy. You have to eat well, get enough sleep and exercise, and generally take care of yourself. But sometimes, life gets very busy and it’s hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When that happens, you have to be careful not to let yourself go.
Dale adopted a child recently. It seems the stress of being a father is getting to him, because he has put on some weight. He has a large belly now. He’s also eating pizza in the middle of day at work and wearing warm ups. He’s not trying to be healthy or look good. He has really let himself go.
When you let yourself go, you stop taking care of your body. Find out what Dale’s friends and co-workers think of his current appearance.
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Dale: Oh yeah. Which…alright. Mm…
Devan: Um, Dale, are you going to pick that up?
Dale: Uh-huh. Yeah. You know, these days, being a dad. I love being a dad. Kids just make me kind of tired, you know? I just haven’t had the chance to really do stuff and shower and shave and move, so…I’ll get to it.
Devan: Well, if you could try to be a little tidier when you’re at work, that would really be great. OK?
Dale: Oh yeah. Absolutely. Would you mind helping me off of this couch, though? Just a little bit stuck in it. If you could help me out, that would be great.
Devan: OK.
Dale: I can do it. Yeah. Woo! Alright. I can do this. Bending over is kind of hard these days, you know?
Devan: Um, I guess so.
Dale: It happens. Got it! Got it! I got it! I’m good. Good. Alright.
Devan: Um, have you guys noticed that Dale has kind of let himself go recently?
Mason: Oh man, I didn’t want to say anything, but I think he’s really let himself go since he became a dad.
Ella: I mean, have you guys seen how he’s dressed? He’s worn the same sweat pants every day. I mean, I don’t even wear the same outfit twice a year. I can’t imagine what it’s like.
Devan: He told me he doesn’t even have time to shower anymore. I mean, I know a lot of people let themselves go after they have kids, but this seems a little extreme. Maybe we should say something.
Mason: I don’t know. I mean, I wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings. Maybe we could just offer to babysit.
Devan: Not me. I’m too busy planning the wedding to do that.
Ella: You guys, I got the best idea. We can motivate him by looking super cute all the time and then, you know, he’ll want to do what we’re doing since we’re setting such a good example. Totally, right?
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Present Perfect Tense" from this lesson
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Discussion
Dale is eating on the couch at the office and drops his napkin. Devan asks him to pick it up. He explains that he’s stuck in the couch. She helps him up, and he has a hard time reaching the napkin because his belly is so big now.
Later, Devan asks her co-workers if they are worried about Dale. They have also noticed that he has let himself go. He doesn’t shower or change clothes very often. Ella suggests that everyone else dress well to try to encourage Dale.
What do you think Dale’s friends should do? Do you take good care of yourself? Have you ever let yourself go?
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