Category: Monday Motivation

Happy Monday

Published on by Maggie EternoLeave a comment

Good morning my friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Ours was jam packed and honestly, I’m still recovering from it!

Joseph and Jojo spent the weekend in Hilton Head with family and friends. They attended the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament. They had a blast and I am so happy that they were able to experience this. Joseph said Jojo was in heaven!

The girls and I had a full weekend, too. Mackenzie had four soccer games and Mary had a birthday party and spent the night with a friend.

Needless to say, I need a weekend from my weekend, ha!

I shared this picture on Instagram this weekend.

I would normally be mortified to post this picture because of all of the laundry on the bed and the floor. But this is real life, y’all. The bed doesn’t always get made and laundry backs up more than I’d like it to, but I’m learning to be ok with that.

For someone who is OCD and needs their house to always be put together, this is a hard thing to accept. But the realization that time is fleeting and that I have EIGHT more years before this one graduates high school, is teaching me what is truly important in life.

Jojo has FOUR years and Mary has FIVE before they’re off to college and y’all the thought of this is truly overwhelming. It’s making me rethink so much.

Mommas, the days are long but the years are definitely short. I used to hear people say this and I didn’t believe it, but now I do. Time is precious and we have to live each day to the fullest. We need to invest in our kids, spend time with them. Teach them the facts of life and pour into them. They need it desperately right now.

There is so much pulling for their attention and if we are not careful, we are going to lose them to those things.

So instead of coming home to catch up on laundry and clean up, I took Mackenzie out to dinner and afterwards she asked to go to Kroger to pick up some ice cream.

We came home, put on a movie, sat on the couch and ate our ice cream. And the laundry is still there today. That’ll be what I’m working on today.

One day when I’m sitting in my clean and organized house with no laundry to do because all of my kids are gone, I will be thankful that I chose them over the laundry.

Love is truly spelled T-I-M-E.

I hope y’all have a great day!

XO

Monday Motivation: Girl, You Are Doing An Amazing Job!

Published on by Maggie EternoLeave a comment

This weekend I finished The Fight to Flourish by Jennie Lusko. I know I sound like a broken record, but I loved this book so much! As I finished it this weekend, this journal entry Jennie shared really spoke to me. And I think it will speak to you, too.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Jesus defeated the power of death. But on THIS day, death will die.

Today:

  • Have confidence in Christ.
  • Walk close to Jesus.
  • Don’t let anything be wasted.
  • Be a good wife.
  • Be a fun mom.
  • Take your role seriously, but not yourself.

Lord, have your way in me today. Open my eyes to see how you see.

This is my prayer for today and I encourage you to make it your prayer, too. Lord, help us be confident in you, walk close to you and make the most of every moment we have. Help us be the wives and moms you call us to be and to have fun while doing it!

If you are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed today, stop and breathe. Girl, you are doing an amazing job! We are so hard on ourselves and we are our own worst critic. Today, see yourself as Jesus sees you. You are special, loved, His masterpiece, His daughter. You may not be strong, but He is. You may not feel like you are enough because you are not. No one is. But we serve a God who is more than enough!

Rest in Him, embrace your journey, love those around you and stay close to Jesus.

Have a great Monday! Let’s get this week started.

XO

Monday Motivation: One Bite at a Time!

Published on by Maggie Eterno1 Comment

Happy, happy Monday! I’ve got to admit that when the alarm went off at 4:10 this morning, I wished that Mondays really were optional ha! But I sucked it up and got up and got going.

After a lot of conviction and nudging from God, I set out last week to be more productive with my days. I am all about a “lazy” day, but I had let myself get to a place where I was having more lazy days than non lazy days. I am, by nature, a very disciplined person but I am also a huge procrastinator.

I found my days sitting around, looking at my phone and then looking at the clock and an hour had gone by. I began to feel God telling me that I was not being a good steward of my time. I put things on the back burner because in my mind I didn’t have the time, but in reality, I wasn’t making the time.

I always know when God is speaking to me when everything points to the same thing. In my devotional and book I am reading, it talked about habits and doing the hard things. In the message yesterday our pastor reminded us that we make time for things that are important to us. It was definitely a “ok God, I get it already,” moment.

So last week I set out to be productive and I wanted to share with you what I did in hopes that maybe it will help and encourage you.

The first thing I did was wake up and get up when the alarm went off. I forced myself to not hit the snooze button. Some days were definitely easier than others. I decided that I would wake up at 4:10 so that I could do my “blaire strength” workout and then make sure that I could have my quiet time before waking Mackenzie up to start her day. I reminded myself that I would be so happy that I got it in early and didn’t have to find the time later in the day.

I had my quiet time everyday. This is a non-negotiable for me. It is a must. My time with God is something that I desperately need everyday. I love devotionals that I can do each day, but they are so hard to find. The one I am currently doing is called, Take Back Your Life by Levi Lusko. Y’all, it has been such a game changer for me. It goes right along with what God has been showing me lately and I look forward to it each day. If you are looking for a devotional, I definitely recommend this one. I am also reading his wife’s book, The Fight to Flourish. I try to read a couple of chapters a day, but some days I only have time for a couple of pages. I feel that they compliment each other very well.

The other thing that I set out to do each day was to go back to making lists. I love lists because they keep me on task. And I love marking things off when I complete them. Every night I would pull out my calendar and see what I had going the next day. I would write my to-do list, schedule for the day and lists of items I needed to pick up that day. I found myself forgetting things all the time… making these lists helped so much. I also took the list with me so that I could stay on task when out and about. So often I will get somewhere and completely forget an item. It also helped me drive my day verses the day driving me. I stayed in control and I was productive.

I made my bed every day! A bed made makes for a better day ha! At least in my book. My mom is huge about this and I am too. Something about a bed made just makes me feel more put together and like I accomplished something.

I did 1-2 loads of laundry daily and folded and put away each one right then. I hate laundry. Not so much doing laundry… I hate putting it away so it piles up. We will have loads of clean laundry that are folded in a laundry basket in my room and I was just so over it. So I forced myself each day to put it away. Y’all, it was crazy how everything in me wanted to leave it there because I swore I would do it later. It’s the procrastinator trying to take over ha! But I fought it and forced myself to do it. It was so nice to start the week caught up on laundry!

Last but not least and so important was that I gave myself lots of GRACE. I am an all or nothing gal so often times I just don’t do something because I can’t do it all at once and I find myself overwhelmed. It’s easier to not do it than to do it if that makes sense. I took the eating the elephant approach. You’ve probably heard this analogy. You eat the elephant one bite at a time. Many times we don’t do the hard stuff because we are so overwhelmed that we don’t know where to start. Just start! One step at a time. I was so behind on laundry when I started the week and normally I would get overwhelmed, but instead I just started it and gave myself small goals. I did the same with other tasks. I reminded myself that small steps towards a big goal are better than no steps at all. And on the night when I was so exhausted and went to bed instead of putting away the dishes from dinner that night, I gave myself lots of grace the next morning and thanked God for extra sleep the night before. A grateful heart always keeps me in a positive mindset.

I know all of these are practical things, but they are what helped me get myself back on the productive wagon. I have seasons where I completely fall off and that was the season I was in. These small little habits helped get me back on track. Will I fall off again? Absolutely! I am human, we all are. Nobody is perfect and life happens! But when I fall off, I will get back on again and I will be ok. Grace, grace!

You may find yourself in a funk. Looking at your day at night wondering what you got done or wondering where all your time went. You may also be like me and spend way too much time on your phone when you could be doing something else like laundry ha! That was me! This week I tried to set a timer when I would start to scroll social media and it worked! It kept me on track and once the timer went off, I would grab my book and read instead.

A verse that I’ve had on my mind has been, Colossians 3:23-24 that says,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

I’ve reminded myself as I do the laundry and my daily chores that feel so mundane that I am doing them with all my heart working for the Lord. It has helped change my perspective and my heart when I pick up someone’s shoes for the hundredth time! As a mom we can look at our tasks as mundane and not important, but they absolutely are. We serve God as we serve our family and doing the laundry and cooking dinner is serving our family. This crazy season isn’t going to last forever and one day the laundry won’t be as bad because it’ll only be you and your husband. One day the dinner table will be just you and your husband because the kiddos are grown and in their own homes. So embrace this moment and do all things as you would do them for the Lord!

I hope this encourages someone today. Remember to not be so hard on yourself. Take small steps towards your big goals instead of no steps at all and do all things as you are doing them for God.

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! XO

Monday Motivation: Fitness Edition

Published on by Maggie Eterno1 Comment

Good Monday morning friends!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  Fall break is over and back to school the kids go.

I’ve been on the struggle bus the last week or so with my workouts and nutrition. I had surgery at the beginning of August and took about six weeks off.  The break was nice and much-needed, but it’s time to get busy.  Getting back into a workout routine or starting a new routine is hard.

Growing up I wasn’t much of an athlete.  I played basketball and soccer, but I wasn’t the best.  I was always one of the slower ones and to be honest I just wasn’t very good!

I spent my summer mornings working out in a sweat suit to my mom’s Jazzercise videos ha!  That was the extent of working out for me and the way I got rid of those extra pounds I put on during the summer.

During my twenties I got married, had babies, battled anxiety and depression so exercise wasn’t even on my mind.  I wish I would’ve lived a more active lifestyle back then.  But I’ve learned that it’s never too late to start.

After I had Mackenzie, my crazy hubby decided to train for a half-marathon.  Not really knowing what that was, I didn’t want to be left out, so I decided to train too.  I will never forget that first mile I set out to do.  Y’all.  Bless my heart.  I mean I thought in my head that running couldn’t be THAT hard.  Yeah…let’s just say it took me about 30 minutes to get through a mile and a half.  I remember thinking what the heck did I agree to?  I can’t even make it two miles how am I going to make it 13.1?

I set my mind on my goal and fought through the hard days.  I gave myself small goals and developed a good routine of getting up early to run.  I had three kids under four so waking up at 6:30-ish was the only time I had.

I slowly began to enjoy it.  It was my time to focus on myself and prepare my mind for the day.  I remember the first time I ran an entire mile without stopping.  I danced and danced on the side of the road not caring one bit what people thought of me as they drove by.  As the weeks went by, I added more miles and then found myself running anywhere from 7-8 miles on a Saturday morning.  I loved it!

I was hooked to the rush, the endorphins, the feeling of accomplishing something I never thought I could do.

Years later Joseph and I began CrossFit and that was a game changer for both of us.  I know CrossFit isn’t for everyone, but sometimes I think that a lot of people have a skewed view of it.  CrossFit has given me the strength and endurance to do life!  A farmers carry is like carrying all my grocery bags into my house and a deadlift has taught me how to correctly pick up something heavy.  I’m not trying to get you to come to CrossFit, but I totally am partial and think you should ;).

Going through a slump or wanting to get started can be overwhelming.  We’ve convinced ourselves that we can’t do it or aren’t athletic enough.  It is a mental game and overcoming your mind is step 1.

This morning I want to encourage you to get active.  Whether you are going through a fitness hiatus or you are trying to get started-here are a couple of helpful things that I do to help get me back on the fitness wagon.

SET GOALS AND CRUSH THEM

Setting goals is a must for me.  I work better under pressure and with a plan and goal in mind.  I am a list girl.  I love to write lists, but even more I love crossing things off my lists.  Setting goals and accomplishing them is so satisfying and empowering.

I mentioned overcoming your mind is step 1.  Once you do that-set out a plan.  What do you want to accomplish?  Do you want to run a certain amount of miles?  Do you want to lean out and tone?  Or do you just want to be active.

Give yourself a goal of 30 minutes a day.  Run/jog/walk for 30 minutes.  Each week increase those 30 minutes by 5-10 minutes.  Don’t think about the miles.  The miles will come.

When I started running I tried the apps where they told me when to run and walk.  They didn’t work for me.  Instead I listened to music and set out to run as far as I could.  Once I felt like I couldn’t run any longer I would walk and give myself a marker on the road such as a garbage can, street sign or bush.  Once I reached that marker, I would run again.  I slowly began to run longer and walked less.

Breathing while running is super important.  I taught my athletes in the 6:45 morning class to think about Lamaze class.  The “hee hee hoo” breathing technique I called it ha!  Getting your breathing under control will help lots!

For those going through a hiatus-give yourself a goal of a certain number of days you want to get in for the week.  If you are a runner-set out to run three days a week.  If you go to a fitness class do the same.  Set out a number of days and increase a day each week.  Before you know it, you will be back at it.  Muscle memory is great and you will realize that after a couple of weeks you are close to where you were when you quit.

Schedule Your Day

Go ahead and schedule your workout.  Put it in your planner or phone.  Set that time aside.  As moms it’s hard finding time.  I’ve found that early mornings are best for me.  It stinks getting up early at first, but your body gets used to it.  Set out your clothes the night before, go to bed early and set your alarm.

Sometimes afternoons are then only time that works and that’s ok too.  Mom’s with older kiddos-go for a walk during practice or bring your yoga mat and dumbbells with you.  I’m sure there’s a mom or two that would join you!

A little sidenote here….do not feel bad for setting this time aside.  Absolutely not.  We are working on us so that we can be better wives, moms and friends.   I am a better person when I am working on me.  I used to feel bad for bringing my kids to the gym with me.  Not anymore.  It is ONE hour of their day and it isn’t hurting them to sit and let mommy have her time.  Before you know it they will want to join you.  You are setting a good example of being active.  I love that my kids want to workout with me.

Moms-be encouraging to one another.  If working out isn’t your thing don’t put those that do down.  We are all different.  Our seasons are different.  Our priorities and our lives are different.  And that is ok!  You do you and I’ll do me.

Ok.  Sidenote over.

Find a Support System

One of my favorite things about CrossFit is my people.  My community, my tribe.  I look forward to going to class and when I’m not there I get a text asking me where I was.  A good support system of encouraging friends is a must.

CrossFit may not be for you-no hurt feelings.  But find something that is.  Whether it’s meeting to run with friends, a spin class, yoga or boot camp.  There are so many different ways to stay active.  Find which one works for you and do it.  But most importantly, find a place that will encourage, motivate and push you.  A place where coaches will be there to help you and teach you correct form and technique.

I’m partial, but my community is the bomb.com.  These friends have gone through so much with me.  Sickness, death, hardships, anxiety, issues with kiddos…  I am who I am because of these folks.  They are my tribe and I am so thankful for them.

So are you ready?  Set some goals girlfriend, believe in yourself, plan your day and find a tribe that will push you.

But above all-GRACE, GRACE, GRACE.

Do not quit if you miss a workout.  If the kiddos are sick and you haven’t done anything in days-do not let your mind convince you that all your hard work is ruined.  Get back on that wagon and hold on.  You can do anything you set your mind on.  I believe it.  I’ve lived it.  And you can too.

I hope you have a wonderful Monday.  The alarm is going off and it’s time to wake up the kiddos.

-Maggie