Kathy Macdonald and Mikaela Dufer gave a Women's Conference address Friday on bringing exercise into a family's routine and encouraging daughters to become involved in sports.

Those passing by may have thought an aerobic class was scheduled for the wrong room. Hundreds of women were laughing and doing the wave while a woman guided the crowd in a short exercise. What may have seemed as a short lesson in increasing heart rate while enjoying oneself actually turned into a lesson on making family activity a family affair.

Macdonald has worked with children for the past five years in establishing Freedom Team USA, a program that currently stretches over 50 schools in Utah County, teaching children the importance of physical, mental and moral fitness.

Macdonald focused on the scripture James 1:22, emphasizing the importance of being doers of the word and not hearers only.

"Don't wait until you're called to do something," she said.

With goals, there are two stages: setting the goal and achieving the goal. However, there is a gap between these stages, Macdonald said. To overcome this "gap," remember the Go Achievement Plan.

"If you don't have a plan you won't achieve your goal," she said. "You've really got to get up and do something."

There are many ways to bring physical activity into the home and keep it exciting at the same time. Macdonald showed some activities she has found helpful.

For example, the Sweeping Safari is when a person jumps 10 times on a mini trampoline (or in place if a trampoline is unavailable) then sweeps a stuffed animal across the floor with a broom. This can be a race or simply a fun activity.

Freedom Team USA is more than just exercise and games. The Team has ABC's, which encompass values in an easy way for children to remember. "I have an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE. I BELIEVE in myself. I know my CHOICES have CONSEQUENCES..."

Dufer focused on getting daughters involved in sports. She began by reciting Moroni 7:13: "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

There are both temporal and spiritual benefits to having females involved in sports, Dufer said.

In regards to temporal benefits, she recalled several studies stating that females who participate in sports have a more positive body image, greater stress reduction and increased self-esteem. They are also less likely to start smoking, become sexually active in high school, become pregnant in high school, and are more likely to get good grades, graduate high school and attend college.

Dufer said that eternal benefits include following the example of Jesus Christ, as stated in John 2:52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

She reiterated the words of President Hinckley that there is not anything women cannot do to become the women they dream of becoming.

"Learn the lessons that really matter. ... It's the journey that matters," Dufer said.

Getting daughters involved in sports "is a good thing - it's worth your investment," she said.

To becoming involved with the Freedom Team, visit the Web site www.freedomfestival.org and link to Hope of America - Freedom Festival.



Copyright Brigham Young University 2 May 2003