Conversation:

Omar:  Yesterday I took the stairs up to my office because the elevator wasn’t working.  By the time I reached the fifth floor, I was out of breath.  It was a real wake-up call for me.  I know I need to start doing something about it.

Sydney:  I’m glad to hear that.  Exercise goes hand in hand with good health, so you should start an exercise program.  I have, and I feel great.

Omar:  It’s been a long time since I set foot in a gym.  I spend most of my time sitting, and we all know that’s a recipe for disaster.

Sydney: I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.  You know, if you get in shape, it’s like getting a new lease on life.  All aspects of your life will get better.

Omar: I’m glad to hear that because my business is starting to weigh me down.  Okay, what would you suggest that I do?  I don’t have a lot of free time because I work around the clock.

Sydney: I’m usually pressed for time too, so I go to the gym three times a week in the mornings for half an hour before work.

Omar: That sounds doable.  I’ve been taking my health for granted for too long.

Sydney:  I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses.

Vocabulary:

aspects:  areas, parts
doable:  something you can do

Idioms:

• out of breath                                                   breathing too fast
• a wake-up call                                                a scary experience that says something is wrong
• go hand in hand                                             go together
• set foot in                                                          enter
• a recipe for disaster                                   something that will cause a very bad result
• come to one’s senses                                 understand what the right thing to do is
• in shape                                                             with a body that is strong and healthy
• a new lease on life                                       a feeling of starting over as a new person
• weigh (someone) down                            make (someone) feel like there’s too much work
• work around the clock                              work all day and night
• pressed for time                                            don’t have enough time
• take (something/one) for granted     think that (something/one) will always be there

Notes:

a wake-up call is the same as an eyeopener

in shape and in good shape are the same.  The opposite is out of shape or in bad shape.  Example:  Because he doesn’t get much exercise, he’s out of shape.