12-Week Shape-Up! Week 9

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 8 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 8 Weigh-In:

• Weight: 293.4
• Previous Weight: 297.4
• Weekly Loss: 4
• Starting Weight: 320
• Total Loss: 26.6
• Weekly Challenge Success and Challenges
• Successes: I started a Spartan Race kettlebell challenge and a lunge challenge. They are ROUGH, but it seems that doing my run, then the two challenges, then yoga keeps any aches and pains at bay. I also went to the drive-in this past weekend, and when I go, I always get a soft pretzel. I didn't this time! I don't mind having a treat since I don't go much, but we had pizza and breadsticks for dinner, so I made the (smart) choice to limit my treats to just the dinner.
• Challenges: Again with the roller coaster; I was a mess this week. I'll be so glad when the daily weigh-ins stop at the end of the month. But I literally woke up one day with a three-pound loss, and pulled 4 for the week - a pound more than I'm trying for - so I can't complain. Not even a little.

12-Week Shape Up! Week 9 Challenge: Maintain your activity levels this week: Concentrate on getting more consistent with the workouts and focus your form and improving it.

Last week was worse for me mentally than Week 8. The weight roller coaster is infuriating and painful. I recommend NO ONE weigh in daily when trying to lose - unless you enjoy inflicting that kind of torture on yourself - or unless required to as part of a doctor/nutritionist-guided program.

For this week, I think it's important you take the time to work on your form and your consistency. The last thing you want to do when strength training is hurt yourself, so be patient, perfect your form, make it the start of a habit, and keep being awesome. The next four weeks won't involve adding a lot of new stuff, because it's practice for the rest of your journey. So take this time to get it right.

The mantra for this week is to Keep At It!

---

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