Day 29.
Compliments on the moustache, but, more importantly, compliments to all of you for your help in supporting men's health!!! Amazing to see people stopping by and sharing their time and treasure. Dad would be proud and so am I. Will share some closing remarks this coming week.

God bless you all!

Day 17...photo from late last week.

Days are very full with 3 kids and full courseload of teaching. I've noticed my energy levels are not the same as they used to be, even compared to a few years ago. Going to bed earlier, some nights, is either a good choice or a necessity as I doze off on the couch watching a show or trying to mark assignments.

On the other side, waking up early is easier, thanks to the kids and I don't often need my am alarm. A different chapter but all to say, managing sleep is important! That's when your body repairs and heals!

This is me, at 40, and the start of another Movember. Clean-shaven once again, leaving my beard behind for the greater mo' good.

Men's health needs help, especially the mental health awareness and strategies to combat depression. People are having tough times right now, but we need them to know how loved and needed they are by family and friends.

And, as always, thinking of Dad and doing this for him, too. More on that later.

WOW. I am blown away....again by just how generous you have all been in helping out this year's Movember campaign. Even starting late, you responded to the calls and messages and online posts so kindly. On behalf of all the Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, thank you. I know my Dad would be proud, too, and this money being raised is going to help a lot of men improve their health.

Those of you who gave me a song request will see a video in the coming days.
Blessings!

Day 23- The mo' is in, and still red. Thankful for that cause it ain't getting any better up top. Thankful for Michaela giving me a haircut though.

Noticing more aches and pains in my body these days. Likely a sign that I need to exercise more, something that's been a consistent struggle. I like going for walks and I like sports, but I find I get winded quickly, and looking after the kids + teaching limits my time for those things. Perseverance and planning needs to trump my excuses.

I hope you can do the same and plan some exercise (if you haven't already) into your weekly routine!

Movember Day 30+1.
Feeling grateful for all the people who donated, followed my posts and photos, read my little shares on wellness and did their part to promote Movember and men's health in their families and communities this past month.

I started doing a morning walk yesterday because I was struggling to get one in between school ending and dinnertime. I think it's going to be a good boost to my physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

Blessings on you all, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas!

Movember- Day 16.
The mo' is not as red as it used to be. Age is becoming a factor, likely stress too. These last 20 months of pandemic life have been difficult for everyone.

Mental health struggles manifest into physical health struggles. It can be hard to find motivation for things like basic hygiene, a healthy diet and scheduling exercise into your day. Making regular appointments to visit your doctor or dentist may seem impossible.

Do one extra thing for your health today.
It could be going for that walk at lunchtime, flossing your teeth before bed, or booking an appt. with your doctor.

That one thing could make a big difference.

Movember- Day 8.
The mo' is starting to take shape. I've been busy at Dad's sorting, organizing and packing his belongings. Smiles and tears... which was the name of a CD Dad made of himself playing tenor sax some years ago. He wanted to make another one, but with me and my sister as well. We ran out of time.

So, we must make the most out of each day and move on the things that are important, like time with family and friends, sharing our talents, and taking care of our health.

WE BLASTED THAT GOAL TO PIECES!!!
A big thank you to everyone for your contributions so far. I'll be sending out individual words of thanks in the coming week.
Also, a big thanks to those who were able to tune in to the virtual concert on IG Live, Saturday.

Keep encouraging the men in your lives to take care of their physical, mental and spiritual health. It's all connected together. Especially in these pandemic times, we have to take care of ourselves. Surround yourself with people who will do that and put some activities in the schedule that aren't work (exercise, leisure, music, games, good chats and laughs with family and friends).

Day 25: Moustache is pretty much back to normal, and you'll notice I started growing the beard back (see last post for reasons).

Been thinking about how thankful I am to have friends and family in my life who value exercise. It's something I struggle with making time for, even though I loved playing outside and doing lots of sports as a young Joe.

Playing with my daughter helps me get some exercise in, but, realistically, I would like to do more. That, coupled with healthy eating, would help me shed some extra pounds I'm carrying around, and help me feel healthier. I encourage y'all to think about your own exercise/eating habits, too!

Day 18: Movember has been in full effect for 18 days, and I'm pleased to say the moustache is levelling up. The upper lip's a little warmer, and now the sides are starting to come in. I suspect that, in a week's time, I'll be ready to start growing back the goatee area too. Reason being, our little baby boy's getting baptized in December so I have to look presentable for the pictures!

Your donations have been a highlight of my day, and I know they are going to do a lot of good for the guys struggling with their physical and mental health. Keep it going!

Day 12:
The moustache is filling out. I'm going to grow the sides more so I have connectors for the beard when I need them!

Thinking of all the guys out there who are living their lives but afraid to get a checkup, or to go to their next doctor's appointment, or to hear the news from their doctor, or showing up for their next dose of chemo or other treatments.

The brotherhood is real. We've got your back and every year, we're figuring this out to give men with these cancers more time to live life to the fullest. Proud to be a small part in the cause.

This moustache and beard growing business is getting serious again. Did another trim today, keeping neck and cheek hair down, to restart a thinner, cleaner beard for DecemBEARD!

Still pretty amazed with donations offered by family and friends. One more day to go. I'll be adding a donation from my own little family. Hoping for a few more dollars towards the men's health campaign.
Let's keep the conversation going all year long.

Day 21. The moustache is officially here. Let's keep the conversation going. Make your health a priority, guys, and, girls, encourage the guys to do just that! #mosforbros

Wow! So blessed by the recent outpouring from family and friends on this little Movember campaign of mine. On behalf of all the guys who will benefit from the research and continued promotion of this important topic and conversation, thank you. Let's keep it going.

I have a wedding this weekend so you won't see the moustache alone just yet, but it's coming. I will pull off a few styles in the coming weeks!

#day15 #movember #mosforbrosandbeardstoo #menshealth

Day 5. The scruff has arrived, and I know it's hard to tell, but I did trim the neck and cheeks already. So far, I've been blessed with some very generous donations from family and friends. My dad is also participating this year, so we've got a cool father/son activity going on this month, which I truly appreciate. http://mobro.co/marccoolcousineau

This week, my focus is going to be on sharing the message about my Movember campaign and men's health awareness to more of my family and friends. I'll be sharing some thoughts here, and on social media, about what helps me stay healthy and what I feel I can do better in taking care of myself, too.
Thanks for reading and for supporting this journey. It's going to help a lot of men around the country.