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Saturday, October 22, 2011

What Stage Are You At?


There are 5 stages a person goes through before starting a healthy routine.  If you are having a problem sticking to a routine, learning the 5 stages and identifying where you are may make it easier for you start and stick to a healthier lifestyle.

Somethings gotta change!!
First Stage: Pre Contemplation
At this stage you don’t think there is a need to eat healthier and exercise.  You think everything is fine and you can continue a life of scarfing down junk food and practicing the art of being a couch potato.  You shrug off claims that diet and exercise are good for you and decide to spend you free time in front of the television.

Second Stage: Contemplation
You realize you need to do something. Your weight has gotten progressively worse, and you don’t have any energy. You may be experiencing some health issues and you feel tired most of the time. When you check your kitchen for something healthy to eat, you find the closest thing you have for healthy consumption is water. Still the problem seems too big to handle and you decide to do nothing.

Third Stage: Preparation
In this stage you start collecting information. You call a few gyms for pricing and inquire about healthy eating programs. You may even engage in some sporadic exercise like walking once every week or so. People in this stage are ready to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This is the stage most get stuck in. If you can stay on this path and try to progress to the next stage it will be a big and important hurdle. Starting a routine with a friend is more fun. It’s much easier when you are not going it alone.

Fourth Stage: Action
This is the stage when people engage in a regular routine of healthier living. They exercise several times a week and make healthier food choices. This stage is still new and the routine has not been regular for more than 6 months. It is at this stage that more than half of the people give up and slide back to their old ways. If you can push through at least 6 months it is more likely to become part of your regular routine.  Your body will really show signs of a healthier lifestyle. Having a friend helps a lot in this stage. Sharing experiences, hardships and triumphs with someone else increases the rate of success.

Fifth Stage: Maintenance
By now the body has a routine and eating healthy is something that comes much easier. This happens after 6 months of a daily healthy routine. Regular exercise is craved by the body and you don’t feel right unless you stick to it. Health has improved, energy levels are up and you not only feel better but look better too!



We wish everyone good luck in starting their routine. But it is not luck you need. Your limits are defined by agreements you've made about what’s possible, change that agreement and you can dissolve all limits*. Remember you are never too old, too fat, too out of shape, too weak or too busy to start living a healthy lifestyle, only too lazy!!!


*Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, "Everyday Wisdom"

Written by Joann Agoglia
Edited by Rob Marshall

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