Where are YOU at?

There are stages that people go through as they progress toward better health behaviors. These stages are formally known as "The Stages of Change." Each stage is a different mental state. Being mentally ready to make a behavior change is integral to physically making a behavior change.

Let's explore the different stages to determine what stage you're in.

1. Precontemplation

People in this stage do not think they have a health problem and therefore aren't considering making a behavior change. They may also not know the benefits of changing their behavior.

2. Contemplation

In this stage people are starting to think about making a change but they are still not ready to make the change. Usually they're gathering more information and feeling positive about the behavior. An example is a smoker who begins to be aware of the negative effects of smoking.

3. Preparation

In this stage you are psychologically preparing yourself to engage in the behavior change and may already think of yourself as a healthier person.

This stage, as well as contemplation, is what we've been in for the last few weeks as we get ready for the program to start (tomorrow!)

4. Action

Exactly as it sounds, you start doing the new healthy behavior! One of two things can happen in this stage. Either you have a successful experience and you feel motivated to continue the healthy behavior. Or you have an unsuccessful experience and you feel defeated and  you're less likely to continue the healthy behavior.

Starting tomorrow we should all be in this stage! I hope we all have successful experiences and use this blog for support and motivation.

5. Maintenance

In this stage the behavior is fairly ingrained and starts to become a habit. The challenge in this stage is staying motivated. Relapses are common and it's easy to become defeated and want to give up.  A healthier response to a slip-up is to forgive yourself, you're only human, and to make sure the rest of your choices for the day are healthy ones.

Where you are in the stages of change depends on your attitude and mind-set. If you are preparing yourself mentally to make a healthy behavior change you are more likely to succeed in this change. Hopefully this behavior change will become a life-long habit that will benefit you for the rest of your life and will allow you to be an example of health!

Where do you feel you are in the stages of change?