DAY TWENTY • A bold determination

As our No Excuses November challenge draws to a close, one of the most important thoughts we can share with you is this -- we are only human.  Our successes in life come from within based on the determination we possess to achieve our goals.  Part of that determination stems from believing that we are worth it.  And for that reason I would like to take the time now to remind you, ​you ARE worth it!​  ​Perhaps the strides you have made this month in improving or regaining your health and wellness seem rather small on the large scale, but remember, for every brick that is set in place, a home begins to form.  You are on a journey to building a better life for yourself, step by step, brick by brick, piece by piece.  Sometimes the obstacles we face seem monumental to us, but if we are determined, we can always overcome.  Keep on going.  We are confident you can get to where you want to be, whether by brute strength, help from friends, or a little ingenuity! 

​Be kind to yourself.  Be kind to others.  Be prepared for success.

Thanksgiving (if you celebrate) is just around the bend, it's up to you to decide whether the coming holiday will be your foe, or your friend.  We hope you will continue through to the new year with the attitude of persistence.  If you know that your tendency is to simply give up after having a week of feasting, think about ways to pick yourself back up after Thursday is gone.  If you keep your momentum going, it will be easier to pick up your speed once again. 

​Above all, be kind to yourself.  Forming new habits is a slow process for most, but well worth it.  Be kind to others, they may not understand fully the challenges you're facing, or how much you want to achieve.  Visit with your loved ones, if necessary about making adjustments to the meals you will eat.  Eat an extra large, fiber-rich, whole-food meal to help curb the cravings for unhealthy options.  Or set yourself a limit on how many pieces of pie you can eat.  Chew everything thoroughly, including the sweets, and this will increase the feeling of satiety.  Wait twenty minutes between your first plate and any seconds your tongue tells you that you must​ have -- often the tongue is a liar, and you'll feel that you are actually quite full after just one plate of food.  And most important of all, go in with an "I can do it" attitude -- be prepared for success and you won't be disappointed. 

​Thus far we have discussed in brief the components of Rest, Air, Water, Nutrition, Exercise, Temperance, and Sunlight... but our Wheel of Health is not complete without DAY TWENTY-ONE.  We will meet one last time for this challenge in the morning!