Meet Jan Tiffany and hear her personal fitness story.
Testimony Tuesday is where we celebrate a personal fitness story from a fellow Christian pursuing a FiT life.
We all love hearing FiTness testimonies. However, here at MissionFiT, our “FiT” has more than just one meaning. Physical fitness, of course, but there’s an even deeper meaning for us.
Faithful in Training in every way God calls us:
Luke 10:27
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’.”
In order to LOVE the Lord with all our strength, we need to train our bodies to be strong. That will allow MissionFiT Believers to live out the Great Commission; We see these ways to Love as ways to Train. And we must be Faithful in Training in these ways to be fit for His missions. The one He’s placed on His church; “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19.
It also allows us individually to pursue God with the gifts we have been given; “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
This Testimony Tuesday, we celebrate Jan Tiffany’s personal FiTness story!
This woman is a true steward of his temple in every way!
I’m Jan Tiffany, mom of 2 teenage boys and wife of fantastic guy for 18 years. I am full speed most days, a multi tasker with an inner motor that goes so much I find it difficult to sleep without waking up thinking of the “to do” list. The older I get the better I get at balancing that pesky hamster wheel and “let it go” by turning off the motor and scratching or easing up on the to do’s. I am learning that not everyone enjoys the intensity and pressured push of a multi tasker, that it is important to balance your agenda with the agenda of your loved ones.
I am passionate about teaching valuable lessons to others, mostly children. I lean heavily towards defending the underdog (again, mostly children) and am intrigued with finding educational and even emotional solutions for those who are underprivilaged or don’t have adequate leadership or guidance.
MissionFiT: When you think of your fitness journey, what 3 words come to mind?
nature…nurture…evolution.
Through childhood and even young adulthood my fitness journey didn’t include any training or mentoring. Although most of the women in my family are overweight, it was not an issue for me. , I was a healthy size without any diet or exercise efforts. I began to explore exercise in college and continued with occasional gym appearances into adulthood. It wasn’t until my 2 back to back pregnancies that I realized 40 extra pounds were not going to disappear without real effort. I carried the extra weight until the kids were in elementary school because I worked full time and couldn’t find the energy or hours for workouts. Once they were school age I went back to the gym and lost the 40 pounds. I turned to running about 4 years ago and was astonished that I could do something so hard, that I love and need to be outside as well as “alone” … I have become a little obsessed with it. My fitness journey to date primarily involves maintaining my desired weight through running. I love cardio groups, with high intensity movements. I am extremely bored with the pace and silence of yoga groups. But I have found (surprisingly) that I LOVE being outside and alone on my runs.
MissionFiT: In relationship to your fitness journey, share the specific triumphs and obstacles you have faced. What has been the biggest area of growth, and the hardest area to overcome with your fitness journey?
Running is hard. That is one of the reasons I love to stick with it. It feels empowering to do something most people won’t or can’t do. I am able to do it due to my schedule, I have the flexibility to incorporate extra hours in the day 2-3 times a week and I wasn’t able to do that 10 years ago. My sticking with it for almost 4 years now I have seen a big change in my body and even with my metabolism.
MissionFiT: What ways have you implemented in your life to allow you to actively pursue wellness?
My work schedule was the biggest factor in allowing me to pursue wellness… my kids growing older and requiring less of my time was a factor as well. But putting the goals for myself as a priority and having the support of my husband was probably one of the biggest factors.
And now I’m motivated by the visible changes I have seen as well as the visits to the Dr and the excellent health reports I’m given. To look the best I’ve ever looked while approaching 50 is a big motivator.
MissionFiT: Among your personal support system, who do you find has been your biggest fan and given you the most encouragement to maintain your training?
Nike. The app is a motivator. It is what started my running journey! I used the app to walk/run on occasion while primarily doing cardio group workouts and it sent me a memo suggesting I run twice a week for 4 weeks. I took the challenge and have been running now ever since. I have a co-worker and friend who I consider a “real” runner and athlete who encouraged me to register for a 1/2 marathon, which I never would have done alone… She has been a big supporter and motivator. Honestly I sincerely hope that my kids will grow up remembering my sweaty long runs…. there have been times when they have passed me in the car & they yell out and cheer for me ~ that makes me proud.. that I may be doing something that makes them proud.
MissionFiT: How has investing in wellness and fitness changed your life? Have you seen an affect on your spiritual life?
Being outside has had an affect on my love and appreciation of nature, God’s work. Being alone outside has affected my spiritual life by giving me time to reflect, meditate, listen to inspirational music….
I believe there is a fine line between faith and health/faith and vanity….. We should get to know our bodies, the creation of and distinctiveness of our own body. Being strong and healthy should be the goal instead of achieving an unattainable, accepted by society look. Trusting in our bodies and using our mind to achieve good health is the connection to faith I believe…
