I used to play sports, work out, attend gym classes, go
hiking, biking, etc. But since having kids and moving to the humid south
I have gotten out of the habit. Wayyy out of the habit. With the busy
days/nights that come with being a mom of many, I'd always rather be
sleeping than exercising. (If only my toddlers had a 'snooze' button
too...)
But, I know exercise is a good thing. And I like thinking about exercising. (I wish "It's the thought that counts" applied here.) My husband teases me that "collecting" fitness equipment, work out videos, and gym passes that I don't use is my hobby nowadays. Sadly, he's right. I'm pretty sure I've gotten more exercise dusting my "collection" than actually using it.
What with the new year and all I've also been dusting off the New Year's Resolutions. (I figure I should just laminate mine since they are the same year after year.) Along with the inevitable health goals and renewed efforts at regular family home evening, temple attendance and visiting teaching, my resolutions this year include learning about my Mormon heritage.
So, I've been reading in the new Relief Society manual, Daughters in My Kingdom, and family history blogs about the Mormon pioneers. I have been so inspired by the strength and courage of the early Saints and the sacrifices they made for what they knew was right. These were people who didn't just think about doing good things, they did them. They took action without making excuses about comfort or ease. I've often wondered, "Would I have had the faith to make that journey?"
Thankfully, my trials are different than those of the early pioneers so I won't ever have to make that trek. But I'd like to know that I have what it takes to get off my couch and conquer the trials, physical challenges and weaknesses that make up my mortal journey.
So... in an effort to add meaning and motivation to my health goals this year I have decided to track the miles I exercise and chart my miles along the Mormon Pioneer Trail- getting healthier and learning about my ancestors along the way!
I found this very cool interactive map on LDS.org where you can learn specifics about each site along the trail and read pioneer journal entries about actual events at those locations. The Pioneer Story Interactive Map. (Reading about the specific trials the pioneers faced along their journey ought to put my trials quickly into perspective as I trek along.)
I printed the map below to track my progress. I also made this little PDF that tells exactly how many miles (from Nauvoo) to each historical stop along the trail.
If
I were the marathon running type I could maybe make it all 1,300 miles
to the Salt Lake Valley before "Pioneer Day" (July 24th.) But since I
am just coming off the couch from a decade or so of inactivity I am
going to just see how far I can get by the end of the year.
I've enlisted the help of my husband and kids to help make the trek. (I took my husband's "Are you crazy?" look as an affirmative, "Yes, honey, I'd love to.") We are going to add all of our family miles together to try to reach 1,300 miles together.
Would YOU like to join us on our pioneer trek? (You don't have to wear bonnets or eat dry biscuits.) You can push a stroller, run on a treadmill, walk a dog, chase your toddler, anything goes! My son wants to track bounces on his pogo stick. :)
If you need an EXTRA challenge you could: Add the New York to Missouri portion of the early Saints' journey. Do the Mormon Battalion's march to San Diego. Follow the path of the early European Saints all the way across the Atlantic. Have EACH family member do 1,300 miles. Like Brigham Young and some faithful others, you could turn around a month after reaching the Salt Lake Valley and return to Winter Quarters to make the trek all over again! Or you could map paths taken by other ancestors and learn their history along the way. The options are endless.
Whatever journey you take I hope you will find joy this year in the little steps forward we take each day in reaching for our goals. Happy Trekking and Happy New Year!
---------------------- Jana is an achy pregnant mom of almost 5 who, like exercising, does more thinking about homeschooling than actually doing it. She thinks the world of the modern day pioneers who really do. ------------------------
But, I know exercise is a good thing. And I like thinking about exercising. (I wish "It's the thought that counts" applied here.) My husband teases me that "collecting" fitness equipment, work out videos, and gym passes that I don't use is my hobby nowadays. Sadly, he's right. I'm pretty sure I've gotten more exercise dusting my "collection" than actually using it.
What with the new year and all I've also been dusting off the New Year's Resolutions. (I figure I should just laminate mine since they are the same year after year.) Along with the inevitable health goals and renewed efforts at regular family home evening, temple attendance and visiting teaching, my resolutions this year include learning about my Mormon heritage.
So, I've been reading in the new Relief Society manual, Daughters in My Kingdom, and family history blogs about the Mormon pioneers. I have been so inspired by the strength and courage of the early Saints and the sacrifices they made for what they knew was right. These were people who didn't just think about doing good things, they did them. They took action without making excuses about comfort or ease. I've often wondered, "Would I have had the faith to make that journey?"
Thankfully, my trials are different than those of the early pioneers so I won't ever have to make that trek. But I'd like to know that I have what it takes to get off my couch and conquer the trials, physical challenges and weaknesses that make up my mortal journey.
So... in an effort to add meaning and motivation to my health goals this year I have decided to track the miles I exercise and chart my miles along the Mormon Pioneer Trail- getting healthier and learning about my ancestors along the way!
I found this very cool interactive map on LDS.org where you can learn specifics about each site along the trail and read pioneer journal entries about actual events at those locations. The Pioneer Story Interactive Map. (Reading about the specific trials the pioneers faced along their journey ought to put my trials quickly into perspective as I trek along.)
I printed the map below to track my progress. I also made this little PDF that tells exactly how many miles (from Nauvoo) to each historical stop along the trail.
I've enlisted the help of my husband and kids to help make the trek. (I took my husband's "Are you crazy?" look as an affirmative, "Yes, honey, I'd love to.") We are going to add all of our family miles together to try to reach 1,300 miles together.
Would YOU like to join us on our pioneer trek? (You don't have to wear bonnets or eat dry biscuits.) You can push a stroller, run on a treadmill, walk a dog, chase your toddler, anything goes! My son wants to track bounces on his pogo stick. :)
If you need an EXTRA challenge you could: Add the New York to Missouri portion of the early Saints' journey. Do the Mormon Battalion's march to San Diego. Follow the path of the early European Saints all the way across the Atlantic. Have EACH family member do 1,300 miles. Like Brigham Young and some faithful others, you could turn around a month after reaching the Salt Lake Valley and return to Winter Quarters to make the trek all over again! Or you could map paths taken by other ancestors and learn their history along the way. The options are endless.
Whatever journey you take I hope you will find joy this year in the little steps forward we take each day in reaching for our goals. Happy Trekking and Happy New Year!
---------------------- Jana is an achy pregnant mom of almost 5 who, like exercising, does more thinking about homeschooling than actually doing it. She thinks the world of the modern day pioneers who really do. ------------------------