Food blogs, lifestyle blogs, blogs about blogs, blogs about your faith--there is no limit to the types of things that a blog can be written about. People are finding new and creative way to express themselves every day. Blogs have helped people over come fears, find what they believe in, and become a better person. Blogging changes lives, and that's what this series is all about!
Meet Marsha!
First off, tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.
I'm a Christian wife and mom. I'm an avid, yet average, runner and cyclist. I have a master's degree in counseling. I blog about faith and fitness with a little of this and that sprinkled in from time to time. My blog is geared towards women who are tired of gimmicks and quick fixes and who are ready to be empowered to find their own paths. There are also pieces that speak to runners and how running and life intersect.What inspired you to start blogging?
I started blogging, because I found myself making long posts on social media. I was getting positive response from the posts but felt that having a blog was a better platform than writing several words and paragraphs on a Facebook or Instagram post.
How did you got where you are?
I've struggled with weight and body image since I was a young girl. I've cried WAY too many tears over a number on a scale. And looking back, there has never been a time in my life when I was overweight. Sure, there's always a few pounds to lose or places to tighten up, but I've never been obese or considered "heavy" by anyone's standards. It was just a complex that began way too early and I've struggled with forever.In college I toyed with binging and purging both with exercise and with laxatives. I've done all kinds of diets, pills, etc. Having been a Christ follower most of my life (I accepted Him and was baptized when I was 9), I have given Him this struggle, taken it back, given to Him, taken it back, and so on! It's the one thing that I know draws me to Him on a daily basis, because I can't do this alone. The struggle has always been more in my head than in my physical body. I exercise, I eat most of the right things, but it never seems good enough.
When I turned 40, I read "Made to Crave", and in it the story of the Israelites is highlighted, and God told Moses "you have circled this mountain long enough, now turn north." So at 40 I turned north! But I have had phases when I take control or I think I need to try a different diet plan or pill. Finally I decided to join an online challenge group. I got rid of all the gimmicks and pills in my cabinet. Daily workouts have never a problem for me. Being in a group with Sisters in Christ, encouraging, and holding each other accountable, was a great thing for me. It got my focus away from myself, more fully on Him and what He has already done in my life. It also gave me the avenue to begin sharing my story, and I saw that my sharing could have a positive impact on other women. I wanted to step out and take it to more women.
What do you hope to achieve with your blog?
I want to share with women how to be fit and free at the same time. I want the message to go out that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made". I want every woman to learn how to "keep her eyes on her own paper".How has blogging changed your life?
Blogging has made me more vulnerable. It's kept me accountable. It's grown me. I've learned about myself and about others. It's become a space to learn and grow and also has confirmed my purpose and passion.As always, I want to give a BIG thank you to Marsha for blogging here today! She has such an amazing story to tell that I hope can touch your heart and inspire many more. Please don't forget to check out her blog and let her know that you found her via Danyell Bailey's Blog--I'm sure she'd love that!
Click here to view last week's Blogger Series post. Also, if you are interested in being featured in my next Blogger Series, please feel free to email me ASAP!
