Change is work

​Stages of change
Every wonder why making changes seems to be so easy sometimes and then other times it is the next to impossible.  You are just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast.  The longer I work with those trying to make change in their fitness or nutrition lives the more I see how the 6 stages of change impacts their success.  This is called the Transtheoretical model.  This model shows how change occurs over time.  This process of change occurs through these 6 stages.  Don’t be mistaken however, this is not a linear format, rather than an upward curve where a person can move on the continuum recycling through the stages, regressing backward and then again progressing forward. 
The 6 steps are:

1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation or Determination
4. Action
5. Maintenance
6. Termination

Precontemplation:  This is the person resistant to all change.  This is the person who has had a lot of failures when attempting change.  This person is unready for help.  This is the person who continually says, “I’ll join a gym tomorrow,” or “I’ll start the diet Monday.”

Contemplation: This person is getting ready for changes.  This is the person who is very aware of the necessity of change.  Both the pros and cons of change.  This person can be in the stage for up to 6 months.  This seems like a lot of time but during this time they are doing a lot of research  of local gyms or nutritionist in the area. 

Preparation:  This is the person who is ready and willing to make the change in the next couple of weeks.  This person is best to seek out a professional who can help keep an action-oriented plan.  “I know I can do it” attitude begins.

Action:  This person puts the plan of action into motion.  This person starts to feel success.  Others are noticing the change.  This is the stage where having a good support team, a group of cheerleaders can keep you going. 

Maintenance:  Also in stage is relapse and recycling.  After a person works for 3-6 months in the action plan.  New behavior patterns have been created, like getting up at 5 am for the gym 5 times person week or packing lunch 5 x’s per week.  Blowing off the gym or hitting up a drive thru no longer is an option.  Old behaviors are no longer preferred and have been replaced with better ones.  However, we are human, at different points of our journey old behaviors can resurface, bringing on new challenges to overcome and learn from. 

Termination:  This is the final stage, the goal to this theory of change.  This is where the behavior change becomes who we are.  We eat whole foods, we are not on a diet.  We have to work out, becomes we exercise daily.  Old temptations are gone and coping strategies are there, ready for action. 

Understanding this theory is important for trainers to know and understand so that we can effectively help their clients in the best way possible.  It is also important to educated our clients as to where they are in the continuum so that they also understand relapse and recycling is a natural phenomenon in their journey forward.

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