I remember learning about the Five Stages of Change in health class. When taking on a job as a Personal Trainer, I started to see people transitioning to each stage when it came to health goals.

It’s amazing how many people we can come across in our lives and what stage they may be in for a wellness journey.

1. Pre-Contemplation–meaning some haven’t even thought about their own wellness yet! I imagine this person having a superb metabolism and not ever having to worry about foods they eat and regular exercise. These are the just healthy people–the standard, perhaps? Well, I’ve never met a person like this, but I do imagine they are out there…or maybe I could be one someday. But, unfortunately, most pre-contemplators probably need some sort of change for their health to have a better quality of life. they just don’t realize it yet.
2. Contemplation–Should I get healthy or no? The answer is always YES. Easier said than done. Or in the contemplation stage: easier thought about than done. It’s a shame that to get to the contemplation stage, most need a major event to happen in their life. I wish it were the tight fitting slacks over the heart attack or diabetes diagnosis that forced people into the next stage of change. Here’s hoping!
3. Preparation–Yes, we need to plan and prep before taking action! Or else, it won’t stick. Sound familiar? How many times have you made a declaration about your well being only for it not to pan out? “I am never eating ice cream again!” “I will work out everyday from now on (starting tomorrow)” “I will completely change my habits over night”. Okay, maybe you don’t say the last one, but that’s how those declarations all sound, and it’s silly. But then again, sometimes we stay in the preparation zone far too long. [Insert excuse] is keeping us from moving to the next stage. You know what to do, but [excuse]! Maybe getting a coach or a trainer can help you move along (wink, wink). I’m not sure on the actual data, but having a solid plan makes hitting goals 320% more likely, or something like that.
4. TAKE ACTION! The hardest, yet most rewarding stage. Here is where you take the plan you spent forever preparing and smash those goals. Results will not be instant. This stage can take years to move on to the next stage. No fear, you will get many life lessons at this stage. Some lessons so great, they knock you back to the preparation or even contemplation stage. Ugh. Again, there are many resources to help stay the course! Health coaches, personal trainers, free blogs and calculators, Kelsey Girlie, just to name a few…
5. Ahhhh, maintenance. You’re here, you’ve arrived, this is the magical place where you can live comfortably…..WRONG. I don’t feel like anyone is ever at this stage long. Once goals are met, hardly are we ever satisfied. Not because we didn’t do good enough; but because now we know we are capable of accomplishing things we had only contemplated (AHA!) before! Back to the drawing board, as they say, to pre-contemplate what goals we can achieve next.

Behavior change is a hard thing to do. Stay the course, my friends. It can be done!