I thought about my neice and nephews all day as I was writing this talk for our stake youth conference. It would be so fun to all be in the same stake together. So here is the outline if you want to read it. Wish you were here to participate in the class with me. Love you!
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
I am very excited to have the opportunity to talk with you young adults today. I am so happy to see what valiant people you are. I can tell that you know that you are children of God.
Before I start my lesson I would like to remind you that your Heavenly Father loves you and he wants you to be happy. We know from reading in 2 Nephi that Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they may have joy.
I promise that living a healthy life will bring all of us joy.
How many of you have felt JOY?
Did you like it?
Would you like to feel it all the time?
I believe that you can, I also believe that it takes 3 important “D” words.
- Discipline
- Dedication
- Determination
First, what do you think of when you hear “healthy lifestyle”?
I think of fun, good food, a clean house, being outdoors and exercise and feeling good.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:33-34 teaches:
For the man is spirit. The elements are eternal, the spirit and element inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy. And when separated man cannot receive a fullness of joy.
I think this is reminding us that for our lives to be full of joy we must have balance with all the elements.
Elements? What are elements: Like the last air bender: fire, water, air and earth.
Or is it the elements of Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Social
Think for a minute about what areas you feel good about and what areas need more balance.
I feel good about my physical and spiritual balance. But I need some more Mental exercise.
Remember your areas that you want to add balance to?
Throughout life we frequently need to re-assess our lives for balance. We cannot improve if we are not humble enough to look at ourselves and see where we need to change.
Having fun in life is very important. Remember: Men are that they may have joy.
I am a professional goof off. I love to have fun. There are not many sports that I do not enjoy and our garage is full of fun toys. Every week I have a routine of exercise that I am determined to do and I do something different every day because I enjoy so many things. I have the discipline to get up early so my activities do not interfere with my other responsibilities. I also have the dedication to keep up my activities each week.
My favorites are Mtn. Biking and surfing. I also have taken up yoga, Pilates and swimming.
What activities do you enjoy?
Why do you enjoy them?
What gets me out of bed?
Enjoyment
Health benefits – Heart health, healthy weight, low blood pressure, no diabetes.
Endorphins
Strength
See new things
Learn new things
Meet new people
The sense of accomplishment when I finish
Missionary opportunities
Expand my knowledge
Challenge myself
Be scared
What kinds of things would you like to try?
Did you know that it is healthy to get out of your comfort zone? I said I like to be scared. I like the personal growth that I feel when I take on a new – scary challenge and succeed. It is a personal victory in Amy’s world. A time for a mini celebration!
You are all good at something. You may not have tried it yet, but if you stay open to taking the chance and opportunity then you will grow and become great at many things.
Now although playing is very high on my priority list, I am very aware of my responsibilities and other obligations in my life. My dad reminded me of the “Allen Family Motto”, which is: Work hard and Play Harder.
I play hard, but I also work very hard. I love a clean house and a mowed yard. I try to be frugal and not be wasteful so there is not a strain in the family finances. I also know my kids need lots of time and attention, I teach them to work and to play and I teach them to be spiritual.
One of the greatest sources of peace in my life comes from being spiritually fed.
How do you feed your spirit?
Scripture study
Prayer
Seminary
Going to church
Family home evening
LDS. Org/youth - I love the videos!
Service
For my birthday this year I turned 36, so I decided to do 36 random acts of service. It took me about a week, but together with my kids we did lots of fun things. One of the things we did was to pay for the person behind us in the McDonalds drive through line. She was so excited that she was waving and blowing us kisses. It was very fun!
Okay we have covered exercise or I like to call it playing and spiritual strength, what else goes into a healthy life style?
Eating!
This is another area that I am passionate about. I love to eat. I love to try new things and I have quite a sweet tooth. I am working on my self-control and it is proof that a balanced life style works because my exercise and eating habits are maintaining my weight. I don’t go up and down much, which is okay with me. Consistency is a good thing!
In college I took a nutrition class and I loved the professors advise on eating healthy.
She said 90% of the time, eat healthy.
What are healthy foods?
What are unhealthy foods?
Be educated on what you put into your body. You are all too smart to put drugs and alcohol into your body, but what about prescription medications or artificial sweeteners or even trans fats. There are so many things to learn about. My favorite rule is to keep it as close to nature as you can.
Now what about my professors other 10%? That is the reward for eating 90% great; you can eat 10% of what you want. If spam musubi is your thing – great – but it is in the 10% category. Same as ice cream and soda pop.
Be smart when it comes to what you will let go into your mouth. Make sure every meal has a fruit or vegetable or both and use moderation. Read D & C 89 for a word of wisdom review.
Now how do you implement all of this into your life?
How do you become more amazing then you already are?
- Figure out your priorities. What is most important to you? Become passionate about them. Find the dedication.
- Set goals. How are you going to achieve what you want? Become determined.
- Make a schedule or routine. If you do not plan your day, it will not be a productive day. You need discipline.
You will get where you want to go. You can do it. Enjoy the journey. Aloha.
Sister Amy Anderson
Activity Smoothie
- Can you tell me one thing that you are bananas about?
- An apple a day keeps the Doctor away. What is your favorite healthy food?
- What keeps you spiritually cool?
- Is eating your veggies the hardest part of having a balanced life?
- How do you keep your goals from melting away?
1 banana
1 cup apple juice
1 cup frozen mixed tropical fruit
1 handful of fresh spinch
1 cup ice
Blend and enjoy....it should never be hard to eat your veggies!
(The Hand Out)
Living a Healthy Life Style
Youth Conference 2011
Men are that they may have joy – 2 Nephi
It takes: Balance the Elements: Fire - Spiritual
1. Discipline ____________ Water - Mental
2. Dedication ∆ Air - Social
3. Determination Earth – Physical
The elements are eternal. D & C 93:34
What elements in your life do you feel good about? ______________________
What elements need some additional balance? _____________________
Remember that we regularly and frequently need the re-assess our lives for balance.
Did you know that it is healthy to get out of your comfort zone and try new things?
(It is also fun)
You are Great at things you haven’t even tried yet!
What did you feed your Spirit today?_______________________________
Fun Spiritual food at lds.org/youth
The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of god. Romans 8:16
Food Rule:
90% good Whole foods how god made them not processed
10% Anything you want –
(Just stay away from Artificial Sweeteners and Trans Fats)
To become more amazing than you already are:
1. Figure out what your priorities are?
What is important to you?
2. Set Goals.
How are you going to achieve what your want?
3. Make a Schedule or Routine
Just Do It!
Discipline Dedication Determination
