Faith & Fitness: Erin's Story

My friend Erin is one of the most encouraging, delightful, joy-filled women the internet has ever brought into my life. She inspires me daily, has the world’s cutest family (seriously – I’ve already started discussing arranged marriage between her littlest & my Madi), and loves Jesus in a beautiful way. I asked her to share her faith & fitness story, and I’m so grateful she said yes.

Q: How did your faith & fitness journey begin?
My fitness journey as an adult began when I was pregnant with our third child. My husband started running and really enjoyed it. He also lost forty pounds! I decided I would give running a try after the baby was born, even though I had always HATED running. Yes, hated. But I started the Couch to 5K program six weeks after giving birth. Nine months later, I ran my first half marathon! I guess you could say I obviously stopped hating running! I have now ran ten half-marathons and enjoy helping others reach their running goals!

Q: How has God worked on your heart as you’ve worked on your body?

At first, running and working out were a way for me to lose the baby weight. Having races on my calendar helped me to stay focused on the running and not the weigh, but as soon as I had a bad race, I went back to focusing on the scale. One day, I sat down to write out my healthy living goals. My list said: ” Healthier, stronger, leaner, more energy.” Our eldest son asked why “skinny” was not on the list and his comment gave me a big gut check. I had been talking too much about weight and not enough about a healthy body. God showed me right there that He was not only leading me down this fitness path for my own well-being and His glory, but also as a healthy example for our children. That keeps me going now!

Q: What verse(s) help motivate you?

I always lean on Isaiah 40:28-31. I know that my own strength will always fail, but His will not. He is my source of renewal in all things, including running!

Q: Why is it important for you to encourage others in their faith & fitness journey?

God has changed my life through fitness. He has shown me I am capable of things I never, ever imagined. I feel so connected to Him when I am running and taking care of my body. Having been a “non-runner” and fitness failure for so long, I can’t help myself when I have the chance to encourage a woman who wants to get healthier! God gives us these experiences for a reason. This is my story and He wants me to share it!

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Erin finds joy in her life as a Jesus-follower, wife, mama to three handsome guys, writer at Home with the Boys, and co-founder of Raising Boys Ministries. You will also find her writing monthly for Tommy Nelson, sharing her thoughts in ParentLife magazine, and speaking at women’s events. She has a passion for healthy living, running, fashion, sports, and encouraging families to form strong bonds based on faith!