Read the Writing Task 2 below. Decide your response to the opinion expressed. Note down your arguments and decide which aspects of the topic to cover in which paragraphs.

In some societies it is increasingly common to try to achieve good health and fitness through physically demanding sports, special diets, or preventative medicine – conventional or alternative. Some people, however, believe that the best way to stay fit and healthy is simply to lead a normal life.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write your answer in at least 250 words, stating your position and then guiding your reader through your arguments with organizing expressions.

There is an ongoing debate as to what is the best way to be healthy. Some think that to do so one needs to maintain strict fitness routines and turn to preventative medicine, while others believe the best method is to lead a moderate lifestyle. I agree with the latter view because unlike the former, life in moderation can be sustained longer.

To start with, those who exert themselves with strict diets, rigorous sports activities, and embrace preventative healthcare, sooner or later relapse. It goes without saying that such a highly regulated health routine demands not only cognitive and physical efforts, but also substantial expenses. Therefore, a decrease in any of these aspects can lead to a relapse that might spiral out of control. I am a living example of this. I used to do bodybuilding while closely controlling my nutritional intake and boosting my health with medical supplements under the guidance of a health worker. Little did I know that this period would last only a few years followed by a long period of sluggishness and unhealthy eating habits. It follows that a tightly structured lifestyle can hardly be considered practical.

Life in moderation, on the other hand is more sustainable. Eating varied foods in reasonable amounts and exercising regularly are what can be done in nearly any circumstances. Regular shops sell affordable and varied foods and it takes a mat and willingness to work your muscles in any place. Granted, we can afford some less healthy snacks and sweets occasionally, thus avoiding binge eating characteristic of more restrictive diets. We will have met people who do not claim to follow any special diets or train at a high intensity, yet they are fit and well-balanced for most of their lives. Needless to say, consistency and balance matter far more than rigid rules or extremes.

To conclude, all we need to do to say fit and healthy to live in moderation as it is easier to sustain throughout life than going to extremes. If people were able to find the golden mean in both nutrition and sport, there would be fewer fluctuations in their overall wellbeing.