“The Lord has commanded you to take good care of your body. To do this, observe the Word of Wisdom, found in Doctrine and Covenants 89.  Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you do all these things, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.” For the Strength of Youth

When my dad died, over 5 years ago, my mom, whose health has ups and downs, came to live with our family.  My husband was kind and helpful to Mom, and we were thankful to be able to make a home for her.  She’s a clever and witty person, and enjoys the visits of grandkids and great grands, who love seeing “GG” and exploring the little trinkets and treats in her room. After my husband left, I keenly felt the responsibility of taking care of Mom and my teenage daughter, along with everything in our household, by myself. Knowing I needed to be strong and healthy in order to carry it, I determined I would do all I could to take care of my body and health so that I could be there for the people I love.

I’ve struggled with unhealthy eating habits, like emotional eating and bingeing, for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I turned to food for comfort and fun, which has continued throughout my life. I constantly work on changing those habits and have enjoyed periods of success and control over that weakness, but during times of difficulty or exhaustion, it’s almost impossible to find the time and physical or emotional energy to work on that aspect of my life. Feeding ourselves well takes time—time to plan, shop, and prepare healthy food.  Energy, too, makes it tough. We live in a go, go, go world, which takes its toll on the energy we have left to do the little stuff, like feed ourselves! The irony here is, of course, that fuel equals energy, and we often put poor gas in the tank, and wonder why we barely sputter along.

“The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early, that we should not run faster than we have strength, and that we should use moderation in all good things. In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined, without additives, the healthier it will be for us. Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies in certain elements in the body can promote mental depression…Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit.” Ezra Taft Benson

The Word of Wisdom, a health law, revealed to a prophet in the latter-days, tells us the best foods, for the bodies God created for us, are plant foods, especially vegetables, fruits, and grains. Science and public opinion are constantly changing in regard to which foods are good for us, but everyone can agree that fresh vegetables and fruits, in their season, are the very best options. Over the years, I’ve gotten better and better at preparing and enjoying a variety of veggies. There’s a plethora of great blogs and recipes accessible now—complete with ratings (I loathe spending time and effort to make a recipe that’s a flop). Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats has healed my stomach issues and helped me keep my weight at a healthy place. When I venture out of that zone, as my human nature always tempts me to do, I immediately feel and see the negative results. My health journey hasn’t been a steady pattern of success; it’s been more like two steps forward and one step back, with an occasional leap off a cliff and slow climb back to the top. Though at times, I sit down in the middle of the road to have a good cry, I never give up. Each year I learn and do a bit better than the year before, overall.  I forgive myself for the backward steps and keep going. I can honestly say, after 40 years of working on this, my weakness in this area has gradually begun to be a strength for me.

I’ve been fairly consistent with exercise throughout my life, even with pregnancies and weight struggles. I enjoy exercising and need the mental health benefits it provides. I feel a sense of strength and accomplishment when I take the time, even if it’s only for half an hour on busy days, to move my body and breathe deeply. Years ago, I spent many mornings working out with little children joining me, and those memories are funny and sweet. When we first started homeschooling, I had jump ropes, STEPs, and weights, and the kids and I did little interval training circuits.  The first floor of our large house had an open layout where we could jog, hop, and skip all around the family room, living room, and through the kitchen in a giant circle.  We’ve had treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals throughout the years, and now I enjoy a simplified, old-lady yoga in addition to low-impact workouts and strength training.

Me and my baby in 2004 and 2018.  

When I decided any effort was worth improving my health and strength, for my family and for myself, I learned to heal my body with simple, healthy food, moderate exercise, sunshine, proper rest and sleep patterns, and choosing a simpler lifestyle to alleviate stress. Elder L. Tom Perry taught, “In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.” I’ve been blessed by making these changes, which make me better able to hold up under the unexpected fluctuations and challenges that are a part of life and to serve those around me. I hear and feel the still, small Voice more clearly in a healthy body with fewer chemicals, cravings, and confusion jamming my reception. Though I’m far from perfect at it, taking care of my body, making it a priority, and treating it like the sacred temple it is, have strengthened my testimony and reverence for the gift of life and the resurrection, both made possible through our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.

 “Spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation. We will live for our appointed life span. However, we can improve both the quality of our service and our well-being by making careful, appropriate choices.” Richard G. Scott