Youth Standards Night: My Experiment with Scripture Study, Prayer and the Holy Ghost

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As we began planning for our Youth Standard's Night, I was so excited when I found Judy Cooley to come and speak to us. I had seen her gorgeous paintings of the youth dressed in the armor of God and knew that she would be perfect for the evening.  My thoughts were confirmed as I spoke with her on the phone, of what she might speak about!

The morning of Standard's night Judy asked me if I would take part in a little experiment and then share my experience that night during Standards Night, of course I agreed. The day though was filled with crazy busyness and I soon started to worry about when I would be able to do what she had asked me to do.  There was a moment, between the children getting home from school, having to fix dinner and get my son to his game, that I was able to sneak away to accomplish my task.

Family Home Evening on Developing Talents (passes off a Faith in God Requirement)

I hope and pray that you can use these ideas as a guideline and adjust them to the needs of your own specific family.  Our prophet President Monson says, "We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."  On Lds.org there are resources available in helping to make your Family Home Evenings successful, here is a link to that site on Family Home Evenings.

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is:  Developing Talents (passes off a Faith in God Requirement)

Preparation: Read "Talents Are for Sharing" from the October 1993 Liahona magazine. Read "Idea List: Unearthing Your Talents" from Sept. 1998 New Era Magazine. Prepare the "Talent cards"(see printable below). Write talents on the cards.  Prepare the "I will Develop and Share my talents printable"

Welcome everyone to Family Night

Sing: "Give, Said the Little Stream"  Children's Song Book Pg  236

Have a member of the family member say the prayer

Discuss any family business

Follow-up with last weeks FHE.

Introduce this weeks Topic:  Developing Talents (passes off a Faith in God Requirement)

Scripture: Read and Mark: D&C 82:18

Article of Faith: #6: "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."

Family Home Evening Instruction:


Begin family night by giving each family member a certain amount of "Talent Cards". For example: you might give one family member one and another family member 2 and another 5. (Before hand you should have written talents on the cards, I left them blank so if you had specif talents for a certain person you could do that) Have each family member read their cards and think about the talent they have been given.  Then ask each family member if they would be willing to share that talent. If a family member decides to share their talent give them another talent. If they choose not to share that talent, take that talent away and give it to the person with the most talents.

Play the video "The Parable of the Talents".
Explain that Heavenly Father has given each of us talents.  It is our choice to either hide the talents we have been given or to develop and share our talents with others.  If we hide our talents then we will loose them.  If we develop and share our talents then we will gain more talents and will be further blessed.

"We may look on our daily work merely as chores. However, when we perform these tasks in a spirit of loving service to husband, children, family, and friends, we bring joy to ourselves and others. To cook a tasteful meal, study for a class, cultivate a garden, write a letter, kindly encourage a friend or family member—all these efforts are improving talents.

God then grants an increase by blessing us with new talents. Often these are qualities of character. We learn to understand the needs of those we serve and to show patience, affection, tolerance, and generosity." ("Talents Are for Sharing" from the October 1993 Liahona magazine)

Share these ideas for developing talents:

Found in "Idea List: Unearthing Your Talents" from Sept. 1998 New Era Magazine.

• Spend some time each day perfecting a talent or skill you already have.
• Don’t be afraid to try new things.
• Read your patriarchal blessing to see what natural gifts are mentioned there.
• Expose yourself to new activities. If you generally excel in sports, try something in the arts, or vice versa.
• Read about the qualities the Savior possessed, such as charity, selflessness, and forgiveness. Since we all have the ability to eventually become like him, we should work diligently on developing these Christlike attributes.
• Pray that the Lord will help make your weakness into strength as he promised in Ether 12:27.
• Choose someone you admire to be your role model and find out what they did to develop their talents.
• Participate in the New Era contest this year.
• Choose a project in the Young Women, Duty to God Award, or Scouting programs that is different from the projects or values you usually choose. This is a great way to introduce yourself to new activities.
• Look to your roots to see what talents your ancestors had. This could give you clues as to what natural abilities you may have, since some talents are inherited.

• Plan to look semi-ridiculous while trying new things. It’s bound to happen. You may find you don’t have a natural knack for certain activities, but by trying new things, you’ll be gaining courage and the ability to laugh at yourself.

Explain that as a family we are going to learn a new talent together.  Teach each family member how to lead and sing the song, "I am a Child of God" from the Children's Songbook.  

Invite each family member to fill out the "I will Develop and Share my Talents" paper (see below printable).

Invite family members to bear their testimonies about how developing talents helps prepare us for service to Heavenly Father and others.

Close with a Family Prayer.

Free Printables: 

Free Download

For More Family Home Evening Ideas Click this Link: Family Home Evening Ideas

Spiritual Journal Entry #4: Viewing Each Other Through Our Father's Eyes

I don't know what it is about grocery stores, but they always seem to get me thinking.  The other day while I made a trip to one, I began pondering about PEOPLE... The question/thought came to my mind, What if I looked at each person with a special filter?  This special filter would have me look at everyone and see them the way our Heavenly Father sees them. It would help me see each person as a daughter or son of God, with the same divine potential. This filter would block out race, color, wealth or lack of, it would also block out faults and inadequacies. It would help me to see everyone as he sees them. I believed that as I started to do this it would change me, I would begin to treat others differently, better.  I knew that by seeing others this way, my love for them would deepen, it would become an unconditional love. I am in just the beginning stages of this and have already begun to have a deepened love for others and for my Father in Heaven.

This filter applies to all people, even our family members.  Sometimes they can be the ones we are the hardest on.  I was thinking about my boys. I can take things so personally with them and sometimes it seems like it becomes more about me than them. If for some reason they struggle at something, than I take that as my failure. Like I didn't do a good enough job, preparing them or teaching them. I do not think our Father in Heaven reacts this way. He sees each of his children's struggles and inadequacies as ways to strengthen us and help us draw closer to him.  So, if I am using his filter, I will see my children and husband as God's children, on there journey here on earth. My job is to lend support and love and help them on this path.  With this filter I would be able to see their struggles the same way Heavenly Father does and use them as a way to help strengthen them, and strengthen their relationship with their Father in Heaven and also there relationship with me. When I view my children, not as MINE, but as my Heavenly Father's children, I am less likely to yell and get upset with their short comings, and more likely to try to nurture them. Let me just say, I am a work in progress with all of this. My hopes are that each day, as I focus on seeing other's as God sees them, it will become easier and it won't take as much effort, it will become automatic.

This weekend I was reminded about the importance of each person, to our Father in Heaven. He knows each person. He knows each one of us individually. This past Sunday, I heard testimony of this from others and I have experienced the comfort and peace that comes from experiencing this myself.  It is so amazing to me to know that I have a Father in Heaven who is so perfect and that he knows everything about me. He knows my thoughts, he knows what is in my heart, he knows my struggles and he knows just what I need when I need it.  He loves me no matter what! That gives me so much comfort, to know that I am loved by someone unconditionally. The thing that makes this even more amazing is that he knows every person and loves every person unconditionally!

He loves us so much that he sent his eldest spirit child, his only begotten, to suffer such immense pain to pay the price for all of our pains, sorrows and sins. And then to experience more pain as he was mocked and was crucified and died.  As I have had time to ponder the love that both our Father and Savior have for all of us, I am overcome with emotions of gratitude. I am grateful for my Savior and elder brother! When I was little I always wished that I had an older brother. Now, I realize that I always have. He is the ultimate Big Brother! He is my advocate with the Father. I know he loves me, as he loves each one of us. He has always been the perfect example. My hope is that I can try each day to follow his example a little better! Love others and serve them, a little better each day!


After writing this and having a desire to put a great quote/printable on here, I came across this amazing article: The Power of God’s Love. By JOHN H. GROBERG, Of the Presidency of the Seventy. Found in the October 2004 General Conference.

Pursuit of Excellence: Develop healthy eating habits and patterns.

Last time I posted about the Pursuit of Excellence the goal to work on was Develop a program of Regular Exercise. I hope everyone has been working on their goal. Some of my friends and I have been getting together and working out together.  It has been highly motivating! I think working out together strengthens your relationships and I feel like I definitely push my self much harder.  The best part is every time you exercise, you know that you are making your body that much healthier! Here is the link to the Pursuit of Excellence pamphlet. 

This week's Goal is:

Develop healthy eating habits and patterns. You should have guessed if the last goal I posted about was Regular Exercise, then this month's would be about nutrition.  They go hand in hand, if your goal is to have a healthy lifestyle. So, the goal is to choose now that you are going to start having or continue having Healthy Eating Habits and Patterns.  In this month's Ensign there were two articles, which discussed the issue of nutrition.

The first was titled, "Nourishing Our Bodies and Our Spirits" BY BEVERLY HYATT NEVILLE.  One of the things in the article that stuck out to me was, " In societies where excesses are the norm, we need to apply wise judgment and moderation." She goes on to talk about how it doesn't mean we can never have a treat, we just need to use wise judgment. We know what foods are good for us and what foods are not good for us.  We need to use our judgment and choose the better food.  I can be an emotional eater at times.  The funny thing with emotional eating is you are not choosing to eat the foods that are good for you. At least I don't anyways.  When I emotionally eat, I go straight for the sugar filled candy, especially if it is chocolate.  That food does not make you fill better, it makes you feel worse, because now you are also filled with regret.  Beverly suggests that instead of emotionally eating to fill that emotional hunger we fill it with service instead. Portion size... okay so my family likes to have pizza every now and then.  Pizza is not the best choice, but if I only eat one slice, then I will still be okay. Especially, if I have that one slice with a plate full of yummy salad! We can have a piece of chocolate here and there just not the whole box in one sitting.  I hope you are getting what I am saying.  It is best to use wise judgment and choose real, whole foods. But at times it is okay to have a treat or a piece of pizza as long as it is done in moderation and the portion size is controlled. 

The second article is titled, "A Principle with Promises" BY G. CRAIG KISER.  Isn't it wonderful that our Heavenly Father back in 1833, through revelation to our Prophet Joseph Smith, gave us a diet plan.  It is simple and strait forward. It tells us exactly what to avoid and exactly what we should eat.  I am not going to go into much detail, because I think this article says it all, so I'll let you read it.

Here are a few of the recipes I like to use for my meals throughout the day:

I figured the calories for each of the recipes by using the food search at  Fatsecret. ***Disclaimer:  I am not a nutritionist.  These are my opinions and what I try to follow in my own life.  Talk to your doctor or dietitian about what nutrition plan is best for you and your health. 

Organization- Be Prepared!

I believe that part of being organized is being prepared.  Both for our Physical needs and for our Spiritual needs.  Starting next Tuesday, I am going to start posting a way to prepare for physical needs, with food storage tips, 72 hour kit ideas, etc.  I am also going to be focusing on one item a week in the "Pursuit of Excellence" booklet.  This is a booklet for Relief Society Sisters to help them set personal goals.
These goals can be used for both men and women.  They are very personal goals, so you will need to decide what goals you would like to work on and what pace you need to accomplish these goals.  I will be posting what goals I will be working on and some ideas of how to accomplish them.  Isn't it a wonderful thing that we can constantly work on improving our selves.  There is no limit. If we use our Heavenly Father's guidance just think how much more we can improve.  Make sure you set, record and evaluate your goals.  If you would like to share them in the comments below, please do so!

"When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates" (see Thomas S. Monson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 107).

Family Home evening - My Gospel Standards: I Will Honor My Parents and Do My Part to Strengthen my Family

Family Home Evening Outline for: I will honor my parents and do my part to strengthen my family.

Welcome everyone to Family Night

Sing: "Families Can Be Together Forever" pg 300 Hymnal

Have a member of the family member say the prayer

Discuss any family business

Scripture:  Mosiah 13:20 "20 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Lesson: 
Read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" (you might want to break it up into sections and have each family member that can read, read a part of it) ** After doing this with my young children, my advice would be not to read the whole thing, but to start at "Husband and Wife" and read until the end.

Explain that as a member of a family, you are part of a team.  In a team each member has a specific job.  If you were a point guard on a basketball team your job would be to control the ball for the offense and get the ball to the right players at the right time.  If you were the quarterback on a football team, your job would be to get the football into the en-zone, whether it be by throwing the ball, handing it off to someone else or running with the ball yourself.  If you were part of a dance team, your job would be to do the correct dance steps the best you could so the entire dance team looks good together.  In a family, each family member needs to do their part, so the family can be strengthened and happy. No matter what team you are a part of if each team member does their specific job the best they can then the team will be successful at their goal.

Give each family member a piece of paper and have them list some things that they can do individually to help strengthen their family and make a happy home. (doing this fulfills one of the "Faith In God" requirements)

Talk about these ideas and have each family member set a goal to do their part so the family can reach their goal of having a happy home.

Some ideas for parents might be: 

Preside: This means that Dad and Mom have the responsibility of giving direction to the family.

Preach The Gospel: Dad and Mom also get to teach their children the gospel. Helping each child understand the principles and doctrine and also that they are Heavenly Father's children. Family Home Evenings are a great time to do this.  Also, attending church meetings together and then talking about what each individual learned.

Be an Example: Parents can show their children how to keep Heavenly Father's commandments. And also show them how to repent of the mistakes they make themselves.

Provide: Parents have the sacred duty of providing for their children's spiritual and physical needs.

Some ideas for children might be:

Obey: Children can accomplish this by follow the rules the family decides on together.

Honor Parents: Children honor their parents when they show them respect.  When they do the things their parents have asked them to do.

Contribute:  Help out with household responsibilities.

Here is a great resource to get some ideas of Parents Responsibilities and Children's Responsibilities: "A House of Order" from the Family Home Evening Resource Book. (this is where I got some of the ideas of parent and children responsibilities.)

Bear testimonies on Honoring Parents and Doing our part to Strengthening Family.

Close with a Family Prayer.

Treat option:

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Bites:

Warm chocolate chips up in a microwave safe cup in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir, continue in 15 second intervals until chips are almost melted. Stirring after each interval.  Be careful to not cook too long.  Insert a toothpick, skewer or lollipop stick into a large marshmallow.  Dip marshmallow into the chocolate.  Coat entire marshmallow.  Then place either on wax paper or place stick into Styrofoam for the chocolate to dry.  Option: before it dries you can sprinkle with sprinkles, candy pieces, chopped nuts, or coconut.  Enjoy!

Take Care Tuesday - Set a Little Reminder for Yourself

I was thinking what a great way would be to help myself remember how important the things I  do are.  Something that could lift me up.  That is when I decided that I would use my phone and set a reminder on there.  I have it come up every day at the same time.  It beeps just like all of my reminders and I have to check it off too.  This is the message that I put on for myself: "You are a daughter of God, a mother of princes, and a wife to a potential king.  You are smart, you are beautiful, you are important  and what you  are doing is important.  Remember to be the mom your children deserve to have."  Okay, so it is a little pep talk to myself, so when I get going through my busy day and I feel overwhelmed.  I can remember who I am and my great purpose.  Actually when I read it each day I get a little smile.  I don't know if the smile is from the words I am reading or that the smile is that I think it is funny that I set myself a reminder.  Whatever the reason, it works! I know at times I get hard on myself, I do not feel like I am the smartest or most creative. At times I  look at myself and do not think I look that beautiful.  I think as individuals, especially women we are great at pointing out all of our faults, things that others do not see.  So, for me this helps me put everything back into perspective.  That yes, I am a daughter of God and can do amazing things with his help.  I am a mom to little boys whom I am helping to follow the right path so they can reach their divine potential.  Same as with being a wife, trying to work together to achieve our divine potential.  Yes, even though I don't feel smart at times, I am.  Even though I have flaws, I am beautiful.  I am important, what I am doing to help raise my children is a very important thing.  And I do need to constantly remind myself that my children are on loan to me from my Heavenly Father, they are his spirit children.  I need to raise them, teach them and love them the way they deserve and the way my Heavenly Father would want me to.

Everyone has an important role in their lives.  Yours may differ than mine.  It is great to reflect on yourself and your role and then constantly remind yourself of your importance!  Try it...give your self a reminder.

Take Care Tuesday - Finding Motivation and Overcoming Discouragement when Exercising

I find myself at times struggling to be motivated to do exercise. Sometimes it is due to feeling I don't have the time, sometimes it is feeling to tired, and sometimes it is discouragement of not having the results I should be having.  So, how do we motivate ourselves to exercise and overcome these discouragements?

Feeling like I don't have enough time:  I have found that I am more motivated when I find a time to exercise before the day gets too busy.  It is so much harder when I know I want to workout for an hour and I look at the clock and see that lunch time is in half an hour. So, for me working out is better if done 1st thing in the morning.  I am even thinking about getting up before the kids go to school to get my exercising in, but that would also mean I would need to start getting to bed earlier. You might have a different schedule than me. You might wake up early to go to work, too early to get an exercise in.  If that is the case then pick a time that is going to work for you, it might be as soon as you get home from work you exercise.

Feeling too Tired:  Ok, sometimes I feel this way and I can either give in and go back to sleep and still be tired.  Because I find when I do this then I still don't have energy.  Or I can get up and start exercising and gain energy.  I have found that if I can just start, then pretty soon my energy starts to build and I can keep on going.  It is the starting, that is the big deal!  Also, think about how great you feel after you exercise.  I love the feeling I get when I am done.  My body is awakened and emotionally I am re-energized.  It also gives you a great feeling of accomplishment after each workout.

Feelings of Discouragement:  So, my body is not perfect! After being pregnant and having three children my body has changed.  I have also noticed that as my body gets older it doesn't seem to want to change as quickly.  So, what to do?  Acceptance... accepting the fact that it is going to take more work.  I had heard something like this somewhere, sometime: that it has taken your body (insert number) of years to get this way, why should we think that we are going to change in a day or a week or even a month. I think we need to celebrate the little changes.  I know that when I start to see or feel changes then I am definitely more motivated.  Also I think we can not compare ourselves with others!!  I am guilty of this, sometimes I look at the girls on the exercise videos and think, I am doing the program, why aren't my hips and buns as tight as hers, why isn't my stomach as tight, etc.  Well, we all have different make-ups, every ones body is different.  So, take that discouragement and change it into encouragement.  Think about how healthy your body is getting every time you exercise.  Think about how you can use it to get your emotions and frustrations out.  Stay persistent and consistent.  If you start to question if all of the hard work is worth it, remind yourself that it is! Think about if there is anything your diet that is sabotaging your results, then decide to eat more healthy.  Try to make your body the best it can be, not the same as the girl on the video.

Take Care Tuesday - My Favorite Workouts

I have a love, hate relationship with working out!  I love the feeling I have after accomplishing a workout, I love the energy it gives me, I love pushing myself in a workout, I love the health and physical benefits of working out.  I hate when I feel too tired to workout and I hate when I feel like I don't have time,  those are the times that I have to remind myself what I love about working out.  I personally enjoy doing workout videos.  I have never really been one to enjoy going to the gym.  At home don't have to waste the time traveling and finding a babysitter.  I can just pop in a video and get the sweat on.  So, what videos have I found work the best for me?

For low impact I enjoy Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs, and Brazillian Butt Lift.  Notice I say low impact not low intensity.  I believe that you can push yourself in any workout and have high intensity. Low impact means that there is not as much jumping involved.  

Turbo Jam:  I love Chalene Johnson, she is so upbeat and motivating.  I love the music and I love that every video is a total body workout.  I also find the people in the workout video are inspiring, they are normal people who have done the workout and it has worked for them.  What to expect?  Turbo Jam is a kinda of dance mixed with kick boxing.  There is a lot of punching, kicking and shaking it.

Hip Hop Abs:  This is another workout that has some danciness to it.  You are working your abs the entire time you work out.  The videos are not as long, around 30 minute range.  

Brazillian Butt Lift:  This video focuses a little bit more on toning exercises of the butt and abs.  It has fun music and gives you that Latin flare.

For more high impact I love, Turbo Fire and Insanity.

Turbo Fire:  Love this workout!  Actually it is what I am currently doing.  I love the music, I love Chalene's positive attitude, I love the intensity and the total body workout.  I am pouring with sweat after every workout.  I push myself during every workout, I look at the people in the video and try to be just as intense.  It has some dance element, the music makes you want to dance anyways.  It has a lot of punching which is great from the whole upper body.  It has some kicking, running, squatting,lunging and jumping that is great for the lower body.  And really you are working and engaging your abs the entire time.  There are some fire drills involved in a lot of the workout.  When you hear the alarm you go at full intensity, pushing yourself as hard as you can four a minute.  It's great.  I love hearing the stories from some of the people on  there.  It is so motivating and helps you think if they can do it and get the amazing results I can too.

Insanity:  I like Shawn T. more in this video then I did in the Hip Hop Abs.  He is so intense and gets you to push yourself.  I would say this is a very athletic, intense workout. I always tell people that the 10 minute warm up he does is what most other workout videos whole workout is.  Each time you do it you push yourself to the max.  I think it is important to track your progress in this workout.  It helps you to push even harder.  

Between Insanity and Turbo Fire, I can't say I like one more than the other.  They are two different workouts designed by two different trainers.  Both are high intensity and high impact, both are very athletic workouts that will leave you out of breath at times and covered in sweat. 

What ever workout you chose it is important to remember that you will get out of it what you put into it.  Push your self, but also beware of your physical limitations.  If something starts to hurt ease up, you do not want to get an injury.  Check with your doctor to see if there are any limitations you may have.  Motivate your self to do it every day.  I have one day that I don't do a work out and that is Sunday. Once you start the workout then you'll enjoy it, it is just taking that first step to doing it.

Decide...Commit...Endure...Succeed!

Decide: Decide you want to be healthy, so you are going to workout and be active.

Commit:  Make a commitment to yourself that you are going to workout a certain amount of time and how many days a week.  Make a schedule of the workout that you are going to do and stick to it.

Endure:  At times you are going to feel like you are too tired to workout or that you do not have enough time.  Push through those thoughts and do the workout.  You will never regret doing the workout, but you will regret if you don't do it.

Succeed:  Get excited about your successes!  Every time you make it through a workout get excited, every time a workout gets a little easier, because you are getting stronger be excited.  Get excited as you gain more energy and as you feel and see your body getting tighter.  Every advancement is a success and you need to be excited about it and let it motivate you!

All above workouts can be found on Beach Body.

Take Care Tuesdays- Exercise

I decided that I am going to try to make a posts every day.   Tuesdays are: Take Care Tuesdays. so on Tuesdays posts will be dedicated to ways we can take care of ourselves.  It is so hard to find time in the day sometimes to spend some time on ourselves. Sometimes we feel guilty or selfish if we do. But it is so important that we take the time.  There is a sang that goes, "You can not lift another, unless you are standing on higher ground". 

Today's post is going to be about taking the time to exercise.  It does not need to be a dreaded word.

A great tip is to make a schedule.  Schedule how long and what time of day you are going to exercise.  Also, make a months schedule of what exercises you are going to do each day.  I have found that when I have a schedule to follow then I am more likely to stick to it.

Time:  How long to exercise.  That is for you to decide.  If you are just starting out or don't feel like you have much time, then start with 15-20 minutes and work up from there.  You will find that once you start going, then you can actually exercise for longer. Just make the time you are spending exercising count.  For general health benefits it is suggested that you work out 30-60 minutes a day for most days of the week.  For weight loss 60-90 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity most days of the week. I try for an hour.  Sometimes my workouts are shorter, but they are more intense. And sometimes they go a little longer.  You have to see what works for you and make adjustments as needed.

What to do?  Find something that you think you will enjoy. If you like to be outside, then go for a walk or a jog or ride your bike, better yet put a little incline to it and get a little more of a workout.  If you like to swim, then swim. If you like to dance, dance.  If you find it's hard to get out of the house, then get some workout videos and workout.  There are quite a variety of videos out there for any fitness level.  That is actually what I mostly do.  I don't have any travel time or have to worry about a babysitter.  I can pop in a video and get the sweat going!  My favorite videos are ones that push me, have great music and give me a total body workout in the shortest amount of time.  I love kickboxing with a little danciness to it, because they are fun and I feel like it works my full body.  But, if you find it hard to workout at home, go to the gym.  There are some no commitment, low fee gyms out there that offer a variety of fun classes. You don't have to spend money to work out. Walking, jogging, there are many exercises that you can do with no equipment. What ever it is, do something you enjoy and stick to it.

Goal, decide on a goal.  It could be a fitness goal, it could be a measurement goal.  What ever it is find something to encourage you and find a way to record it and possibly even share your successes.  Find an online fitness community or workout with a friend.  You can leave a comment here, I would love to hear your successes and trials and be some support. It's always fun to hear what workouts are working for others.  Just don't get discouraged. It takes time for our bodies to change.  It is not something that is going to happen overnight. If you miss a workout, don't sweat it, just pick it back up the next day. If you feel uncoordinated our clumsy, just keep at it, you will get it!!  Also, don't get obsessed with the scale. The scale does not tell all.  Muscle weighs more than fat.  So, if  the scales not changing and you are working out hard and eating right, look at your body and you will notice it toning and becoming more define.  Also, notice how you feel after you workout.  You have more energy your body is getting more healthy.  That is the most important thing.

Check-up, before you begin exercising just check with your physician to make sure there are not any health concerns that you need to worry about. Also, be aware of your body and any injuries you may have.  Wear the appropriate clothing, shoes,  braces and supports.  Warm-up before you work out and always cool down and stretch at the end.  Know your limits.  If it starts to hurt, take a break.  The worst thing for an exercise program is to get injured, it just throws everything off.  So make sure you are safe.

Be Active!  Choose to have a healthy lifestyle.  Make simple changes on top of your scheduled exercising.  If I have enough time at night I get my kids and go for a walk.  It is a great time to spend together and we are getting more healthy together.  Find things that interest you.  Play some tennis, shoot some hoops, work in the yard, hike to a waterfall, just find an active hobby.

Eat Well!!! I will cover this another day.  But nutrition and fitness really go hand in hand in a having a healthy lifestyle.

Resolutions

With the New Year quickly approaching now is the time to start making some goals. It is a great time to examine our lives and see what we would like to improve upon. Setting realistic goals and determining ways to reach those goals will help us be more successful and will help us to avoid discouragement.

So if the goal is to loose weight, then maybe set an attainable goal weight within a certain amount of time. Remember most people do not loose more than 2 lbs a week, even when following a diet and exercise plan. Possible ways to think about to attain the goal weight could be, examining your diet and seeing what needs to be cut down on and ways to eat more healthy. Setting an exercise schedule (How many days a week you are willing to work out and for how long, and what you will do to work out on those days). The next thing is to stick to it!

Another one is if you have a goal to read the Book of Mormon. Set how long you will give yourself to read it and then figure out how many pages you will need to read everyday to attain the goal and when you are going to do your scripture study.

I know that one of my goals will be to spend better quality time with my children. I know that I am going to have to organize my time better. Figure out fun activities for my children to do ahead of time. I know if I have the activities ready to go ahead of time it will go a lot easier. So if anyone has some fun ideas of activities to do with kids please let me know.

Good luck to everyone with making your resolutions and putting them into action! I hope everyone has a very Happy and Fun New Year!!