All About Mormons

As a fitness and health professional, I am very aware of the billion dollar industry promising to deliver a perfect body – “How to loose 10 lbs in one week,” “The new diet pill that burns all the fat you eat,” “The pants that make you look 20 lbs less.” With the expectations and pressure this industry can bring, it is hard to remember that our body is our greatest gift that we have from God, not a stereotypical or unimportant possession that we continuously look down on and have unobtainable goals towards. If we keep the right perspective towards our body we can better achieve our health and fitness goals in a much healthier way.

In our church, we learn that our body is a temple and that with it we can achieve our own divine destiny and eternal salvation. We believe that we chose to come down to earth to obtain a body, endure trials and tribulations, and grow closer to our Heavenly Father by doing so. We also believe in the Word of Wisdom, the “Mormon health code.” The Word of Wisdom was written so that we can be our best and healthiest self. The Church knows that good health makes us happy and that the Word of Wisdom can help us stay healthy and strong.

I have had several people in my life, including myself, who struggle with associating their body image with their self worth. In our society it is hard to avoid. But as I study the scriptures, pray and listen to the Prophet and Apostles, it helps me in several ways:

1) It helps me remember what my true self worth is in Gods eyes

2) It helps me remember that my body is a temple and to treat it with love and respect

3) It helps me better achieve my fitness and health goals in a much more spiritual and healthy way rather than an objective and stereotypical way

4) It helps me remember that I am a Child of God and that my potential is never ending and is not determind by weight, looks, etc.

I know that the Lord can help us achieve a healthy perspective and balance towards our health and fitness.