November is for Saying “No”
November is a great time to introduce a little “no” into your life. Yes, it’s okay to say no! No self-hate. No being lazy. No excuses. No unhealthy foods. No soda. No alcohol. No staying up late. No negativity. No drama. No regrets. No quitting.
There is a big difference between the words Yes and No. Yes seems to be the hero of positivity, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the answer everyone is looking for! No often gets a bad rap. Regardless, sometimes a solid no can be the better response.
Say NO to Skipped Workouts
The days are getting shorter and the temperature is starting to drop. Who doesn’t want to pull the covers up over their heads and stay in bed for an extra hour? After a long day at the office, it’s really tempting to skip your five-mile run or group fitness class in favor of some wine and a Netflix binge.
Skipping workouts can take you from feeling fit to out of shape faster than you think. Don’t get discouraged! You can be busy and be fit! Busy people make the time and get the job done. I’ve worked with clients who work upwards of eighty hours a week and they still carve out the time in their schedule to make it to the gym. These people realize the significance of staying healthy and fit. To change your life, you need to change your priorities. If it’s important to you, you will find a way!
Say NO to Cheat Meals
Tighten your belts, close your eyes, and hold your breath! The holiday madness has begun. The season of overindulgence starts with Halloween and continues through the ﾭing, and taking home leftovers. Before you know it, your cheat days have turned into cheat weeks and you are on your way to falling off the weight loss wagon. As a result, your health, your waistline, and your self-esteem will suffer.
Just as we must avoid skipping our workouts, we also must avoid slipping into poor eating habits. Fast food order-to-go meals become an easy, convenient solution when we’re too tired, or just not in the mood to cook. You can do better! Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. You don’t have to cook extravagant dinners. You just need to be more mindful.
Say NO to Over-Commitment
Oftentimes, we say “yes” when we should say “no.”There’s nothing wrong with wanting to please. In fact, we’re hardwired for it. However, you don’t need to sacrifice your health, your waistline, and all of your free time. Overextending yourself will only burn you out and set you up for failure. Avoid last-minute commitments. Volunteer your time and your energy in accordance with your priorities. Remember, it’s the little things! Phone a lonely friend, help at a school party, prepare a meal for a struggling neighbor. You don’t need to bake cookies for your entire office.
Keep commitments reasonable so you can focus on essentials, like your workouts, making healthy choices, and good health. Be sure to set aside time in your schedule for rest and relaxation. Days reserved “just for you” or “just for family” are just as important as everything else.
Say NO to the Doggy Bag
Ready, set, eat! Opportunities to overeat abound during the holidays. From people bringing food to the office to parties to family gatherings, food —usually the high calorie variety— is everywhere. Overindulging can be hard to resist. When the evening is over, leftovers are bountiful. Food pushers range from well-intentioned loved ones to toﾭtal diet saboteurs. Regardless of their motivation, it’s important to stick to your guns.
Graciously say “no thank you.” Be polite, but don’t feel guilty. You should feel no shame about wanting to stick to your guns.
It’s Okay to Let Go
When you fail to say “no”, let it go. It’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to make misﾭtakes. We all slip up from time to time. Skipped workouts, cheat meals, and moments of disregard to one’s health happen to the best of us. They are not at all indicative of how the future will play out.
Make yourself a priority once in a while. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary. It’s okay to stay home! You can’t do everything and be everywhere. You’re one person. Comfort and self-care can help avoid burnout and help you recover from the hustle and bustle of life’s obligations. Take time to recover from your work, workouts, and commitments.
In Conclusion:
This November, focus on developing and maintaining healthy habits. A future of good health is what you really deserve.
Simplify life and be content. You will be a happier for it. Embellish the season with kindness, wellness, and health. Minimize expectations for the upcoming months. Know your limits and respect them. Leave expectations behind. You will be less disappointed and more appreciative. You will be able to accomplish priorities, maintain your health, and appreciate the holidays for the little things.
You can still enjoy family, friends, food, and even the dessert table this holiday season! You just need to be more aware. Do you have what it takes? I think you do! Learn to say, “no” and you will be on your way to becoming a healthier and more fit you.
You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smiling, unapologetically, to say “no” to the other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the “best” is often the “good”. – Stephen Covey
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