12-Week Shape Up! Week 6

If you missed the previous weeks and would like to join in, check out Goodbyes, WLS, Baseline, and the 12-Week Shape-Up. Week 1's challenge is at the bottom of the blog post.

Week 5 is in the books. Congratulations! Now it's time to weigh-in, both in regards to your weight, and in regards to how you did with your weekly challenge. As a reminder when measuring your weight, try to do it at the same time every Monday, in the same clothes, and before breakfast if possible.

How did you do?

12-Week Shape Up! Week 5 Weigh-In:

• Weight: 300
• Previous Weight: 304
• Weekly Loss: 4
• Total Loss: 20
• Weekly Challenge Success and Challenges
• Successes: My week five was another roller coaster of wins and losses. I lost a total of 4.4 pounds for a total weight loss of 20 pounds so far. I also started incorporating jogging into my walks and doing more jogging vs walking each day. I had a huge challenge with family news, but didn't muffle the stress in food. I also went out of town, and kept up my evening and morning exercise using the fitness center at the hotel, as well as enjoying myself with food - but not too much. 
• Challenges: Getting in bed by 11 is not working. Not even a little bit. This is one challenge I think I'm going to shelve for a while and not feel badly about it. It wasn't that I couldn't get in bed by 11, it's that when I did, I kept waking up and generally felt horrible the next day. 12-midnight to 5:45 seems to be my sweet spot for my highest levels of energy for the day.

12-Week Shape Up! Week 6 Challenge: Honestly evaluate your progress and adjust accordingly.

It's only a week until we're officially halfway through the program, so now is a good time to take stock of where you're at in your journey and decide how you want to continue forward. Did you fall off the 12-Week Shape-Up! plan? Dust off your chaps and get back on the horse. Don't let a setback, even a weeks-long setback, stop you. Do what you can this week, and use this week to make some plans for the last half of 12WSU.

Have you been doing great more often than not? That's awesome! Use this week to keep it all in practice and strengthen any areas you're weak, as well as plan for your next six weeks. Unlike crossfit programs or 30-day exercise challenges, the 12-Week Shape-Up is not focused towards getting cut, or training for a marathon; the 12WSU is for people wanting to take some time to focus on their health and fitness and slowly build new habits that are intended to last a lifetime. Keep that in mind when crafting your next goals. If you want to get cut, get cut - add to your weekly challenges how you'll do P90x each week. If you are struggling with sugar addiction, use some of the time to work on that.

The 12WSU is flexible, and this week is a great time to look back on your progress - or lack thereof - so far, because the next six weeks are more about motivation and less about guidelines. The next six weeks will be on you to figure out!

The mantra for this week is to Take Stock and Get Ready!

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please speak to your doctor before beginning this or any stage of the 12-Week Shape Up!