My Path to Wellness: How Erika Walton Found Self-Love by Learning to Put Herself First

A smiling Erika against a plain background.

For this month’s issue of My Path to Wellness, we reached out to a fit52 superstar, Erika Walton. We were inspired by her story about learning how to prioritize her own needs and re-define how she practiced self-love.

As a busy mom, a loving partner, and a dedicated nurse, Erika found herself giving attention to everyone in her life but herself. Through fitness, self-affirmation, and patience, she has now become a force of nature in the world of wellness.

Read below to see what she had to say for herself:


@ownyourpath_



Hi fit52 fam,

My name is Erika Walton, also known as @ownyourpath_ on Instagram.  I live with my beautiful family just outside of Lancaster, PA.  My husband and I have three children: Carter (11), Kalie (3), and Kyler (1).  I am a Clinical Nurse Educator and have my own wellness blog on the side.

There’s no denying that 2020 was a tough year for all—but despite its challenges, it brought me the gift of fitness and self-care. At the beginning of the year, I remember asking myself, “what are my hobbies?” I couldn’t think of anything. It was at that moment when I realized that I had lost myself in motherhood and my career. Fitness had been a priority in my life prior to having a family, but over the years I had let things replace it as I focused all my love and attention on my family and work.

Then, in March 2020, I read Carrie Underwood’s book, Find Your Path. That book literally changed my life. Find Your Path helped me realize that I could ultimately be a better mom, friend, wife, and employee if I made time for myself. After finishing the book and downloading fit52, I made a commitment to take care of myself. I realized that I could ultimately be a better mom, friend, wife, and employee if I made time for myself.


Find Your Path helped me realize that I could ultimately be a better mom, friend, wife, and employee if I made time for myself. 


When I first started working out with the fit52 app, my goal was to become fit and lose weight.  I wanted to make moves on the scale because I genuinely believed that if I could reach a certain number or size, I would be confident, happy, and healthy.  As time went on, my path became more about building my self-confidence and deepening my self-love, and less about the scale.

I now begin most days with a cup of coffee, journaling, and a fit52 workout.  A solid morning routine helps me to start the day in a positive light and keeps me on my path to confidence and self-love. The fit52 family has helped me to find my way back to my authentic self and for that, I am eternally grateful.

If you take nothing else away from this, please remember that you are enough, just as you are.  Your worth is not determined by your appearance, the number on the scale, or the size of clothing that you wear. It’s determined by how you show up for yourself. The first step to self-love is making the time to put yourself first.

Follow my Instagram or blog to stay motivated, inspired, nurtured, and empowered on your path to wellness.

-Erika


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