WOW How's 12 weeks flown by- now 23 pounds gone, along with 20"! I can't hardly believe it myself. Thank you for following my journey and am excited because it has only just begun. Thank you for your encouragement and support along the way- I totally thrive on that and it keeps me motivated to keep moving forward. I will continue to update this blog with my thoughts as I move on to my next 12 week commitment with Favao starting September 17th.
I think the best way to wrap up this 12 weeks is to share with you the answers I put down to the questions that I answered as I entered the Favao Reset Challenge.
We want you to experience this with us when we start Week 1 on September 17th. Please read through the website, visit www.favao.com and "CONTACT US" for more details on how we can help you sign up for the challenge and participate in our accountability groups!
Why did you start Favao?
I started FAVAO for several reasons. Of course, I wanted to lose weight and feel better about my body. I also wanted to get my food habits right, so my weight does not yo-yo for the rest of my life. I watched my mom go up & down after having 5 children and it's not a battle I wanted to deal with in my life. My mom ended up passing away at the age of 51 from a blod clot after a routine gall bladder surgery. She was at her heaviest weight at the time. She was an amazing women and I watched her confidence and love for herself go up and down with her weight. I was well on my way down this path myself and knew that I was the only one who could help me and make that change. There was no one else to blame, with that said it was time for me to RESET my habits and move towards a more comfortable weight and a more confident wife, mom, leader & woman! I also want my kids to have a healthy active lifestyle so that this isn't a struggle or burden that they carry with them into their futures. I want them to see an active, healthy & happy mom that has confidence and energy to play and teach them. The last reason is so that I could give other women some hope that struggle with the same thoughts that cause their yo-yo weight issues. I know that better women make a better world, but if we are not in our ideal bodies with a natural weight, we tend to lose sight of our greatness!
What was the most rewarding aspect?
I would say that the most rewarding aspect has been seeing the other women who did it with me reset their food habits and walk through a discovery process. It's so encouraging to see that because of Favao women are on a journey to discovering just how amazing they really are and that it is ok to put yourself first and take care of yourself, so that they can serve others fully.
What was the most difficult for you to overcome?
SUGAR, portions & negative self talk or justifying why I would eat something. I often told myself "I deserve it", when in reality my body did not deserve the way I was treating it. I made a habit of reading affirmations during this time so that my thoughts were positive and focused on what I CAN accomplish and not on what I can't. I have very little sugar cravings, which was a daily battle for me prior to starting Favao. I have been pregnant or nursing since Oct 2009 and also would use that as a reason to "eat more" I look back and wish I'd follow this meal plan then (Maybe my babies wouldn't have been 9lbs!!) but now I know how I can nourish both my body and theirs with the nutritious food we are eating. I’m so surprised at how big the meal sizes with Favao are, that there are 6/day and how satisfied I am with the meals! I am still working on saying NO when something sweet is offered, but know that I will get there soon, there are a lot of old habits to break in the months to come. There’s always room for growth!
How do you feel about yourself now?
Oh my, I think if I could describe it in one word, it would be empowered! When I wrote down my 10 phrases at the beginning they were: chunky, tired, want to hide, self conscious, not healthy, unsexy, full of rolls, too busy for me, lack of confidence, fear filled and uncomfortable. My phrases that describe how I wanted to feel were: energetic, comfortable, confident, sexy, courageous, vibrant, cheerful, using my body right, active and nourished. I really feel like I have improved in all of those areas and am working towards those last 10 phrases. I have already taken on some of the tasks I have been putting off due to a lack of energy or lack of confidence in myself to do it. I feel like I am on my way to greatness and leaving a legacy and know that it is about the journey and not a destination. I am honored that I get to be a great source of hope for other women, especially new moms that are feeling lost or hopeless. Favao is a great starting point and a great way to RESET your food habits, your activity and your thoughts! We are all meant to live a life of significance and when we get our body and thoughts right, there will be nothing stopping us!
What advice would you give others?
The first thing that I would say to them is that Favao will be a journey of discovering what has kept you from being at an ideal weight, not just about losing weight. I would recommend the complete system for the full 12 weeks along with at least one accountability partner if not a group to do it with. Our group was so encouraging and motivating. I would also always plan ahead and know that even if it takes an extra 5 minutes to pack a lunch or snack it is worth it- it saves you money, pounds & stress! Read your book, follow the system and know that you are worth it. Your body, mind, significant other, kids and employers/employees will be blessed because of it!
I think the best way to wrap up this 12 weeks is to share with you the answers I put down to the questions that I answered as I entered the Favao Reset Challenge.
We want you to experience this with us when we start Week 1 on September 17th. Please read through the website, visit www.favao.com and "CONTACT US" for more details on how we can help you sign up for the challenge and participate in our accountability groups!
Why did you start Favao?
I started FAVAO for several reasons. Of course, I wanted to lose weight and feel better about my body. I also wanted to get my food habits right, so my weight does not yo-yo for the rest of my life. I watched my mom go up & down after having 5 children and it's not a battle I wanted to deal with in my life. My mom ended up passing away at the age of 51 from a blod clot after a routine gall bladder surgery. She was at her heaviest weight at the time. She was an amazing women and I watched her confidence and love for herself go up and down with her weight. I was well on my way down this path myself and knew that I was the only one who could help me and make that change. There was no one else to blame, with that said it was time for me to RESET my habits and move towards a more comfortable weight and a more confident wife, mom, leader & woman! I also want my kids to have a healthy active lifestyle so that this isn't a struggle or burden that they carry with them into their futures. I want them to see an active, healthy & happy mom that has confidence and energy to play and teach them. The last reason is so that I could give other women some hope that struggle with the same thoughts that cause their yo-yo weight issues. I know that better women make a better world, but if we are not in our ideal bodies with a natural weight, we tend to lose sight of our greatness!
What was the most rewarding aspect?
I would say that the most rewarding aspect has been seeing the other women who did it with me reset their food habits and walk through a discovery process. It's so encouraging to see that because of Favao women are on a journey to discovering just how amazing they really are and that it is ok to put yourself first and take care of yourself, so that they can serve others fully.
What was the most difficult for you to overcome?
SUGAR, portions & negative self talk or justifying why I would eat something. I often told myself "I deserve it", when in reality my body did not deserve the way I was treating it. I made a habit of reading affirmations during this time so that my thoughts were positive and focused on what I CAN accomplish and not on what I can't. I have very little sugar cravings, which was a daily battle for me prior to starting Favao. I have been pregnant or nursing since Oct 2009 and also would use that as a reason to "eat more" I look back and wish I'd follow this meal plan then (Maybe my babies wouldn't have been 9lbs!!) but now I know how I can nourish both my body and theirs with the nutritious food we are eating. I’m so surprised at how big the meal sizes with Favao are, that there are 6/day and how satisfied I am with the meals! I am still working on saying NO when something sweet is offered, but know that I will get there soon, there are a lot of old habits to break in the months to come. There’s always room for growth!
How do you feel about yourself now?
Oh my, I think if I could describe it in one word, it would be empowered! When I wrote down my 10 phrases at the beginning they were: chunky, tired, want to hide, self conscious, not healthy, unsexy, full of rolls, too busy for me, lack of confidence, fear filled and uncomfortable. My phrases that describe how I wanted to feel were: energetic, comfortable, confident, sexy, courageous, vibrant, cheerful, using my body right, active and nourished. I really feel like I have improved in all of those areas and am working towards those last 10 phrases. I have already taken on some of the tasks I have been putting off due to a lack of energy or lack of confidence in myself to do it. I feel like I am on my way to greatness and leaving a legacy and know that it is about the journey and not a destination. I am honored that I get to be a great source of hope for other women, especially new moms that are feeling lost or hopeless. Favao is a great starting point and a great way to RESET your food habits, your activity and your thoughts! We are all meant to live a life of significance and when we get our body and thoughts right, there will be nothing stopping us!
What advice would you give others?
The first thing that I would say to them is that Favao will be a journey of discovering what has kept you from being at an ideal weight, not just about losing weight. I would recommend the complete system for the full 12 weeks along with at least one accountability partner if not a group to do it with. Our group was so encouraging and motivating. I would also always plan ahead and know that even if it takes an extra 5 minutes to pack a lunch or snack it is worth it- it saves you money, pounds & stress! Read your book, follow the system and know that you are worth it. Your body, mind, significant other, kids and employers/employees will be blessed because of it!