I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved fitness don't happen overnight. But did you know that there are steps that you can take to improve your chances of weight loss success before you even start your healthier eating and exercise plan?
There are five distinct stages of behavioral change. Knowing what stage you are at now will help you to create a road map which will help you to achieve your future weight loss and improved fitness goals.
Here are the five major phases:
Stage 1 - Pre-contemplation:
This is the point where you don't feel that any change in your lifestyle is necessary. You may be thinking that exercising just takes too much time or that fast food is just too convenient to even consider giving up. Starting a fitness or healthier eating program during this stage would probably result in failure. The best thing you can do during this phase is to reassess your life goals and educate yourself further about health, diseases and risks.
Stage 2 - Contemplation:
During this stage you may start thinking that a change is necessary.
So, you think that maybe cutting back to eating fast food only three times a week is not so bad and you might be able to at least take a walk once in awhile. This is a good time to learn more about the benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise.
Stage 3 - Preparation:
At this point you are getting more serious about taking action. You've penciled in a walk with your friend for next week and are planning to go grocery shopping to cook a home meal. You may want to research exercise equipment, gyms, personal trainers, and healthier eating programs to learn more about what you can do to get in better shape.
Stage 4 - Action:
Here's where you actually take the first step. The first step may be as simple as taking a daily walk, reducing your fast food visits to twice a month or just cutting back on daily soft drinks and unhealthy snacks. Or, you may go as far as hiring a personal trainer or joining a gym. During this stage it is very important to learn coping mechanisms that will help you avoid relapsing into your old ways. One way to avoid exercise dropout is to form new healthy habits that lead to permanent lifestyle changes.
Stage 5 - Maintenance:
This is, of course, the stage that everyone should strive to be in. Being here means that you are exercising regularly and eating healthily most of the time. It is important throughout this stage (which should last the rest of your life) that you include a variety of exercise types or workouts that change relatively frequently. You should also seek and encourage the support of friends and family and include them wherever possible in the healthier aspects of your new life.
What stage are you in right now?
So, now can you identify what stage you are at? You may find that you are in the pre-contemplation stage for nutritional habits but that you are in the preparation stage for exercises. That's okay. It's not critical for you to force both areas into the same stage. You can work on changing your nutritional and exercise habits separately.
The key to success is first identifying your stage and then taking steps to advance to the next level (unless, of course, you are already at the Maintenance stage). Use the suggestions mentioned above in each stage to help you move to the next phase.
It's also important to tune-in to your fears, past struggles and expectations. Making nutritional and exercise changes is not easy and should be approached slowly. Remember to make small changes. Don't try to go from a completely sedentary lifestyle to an hour of daily exercise overnight. Build up slowly starting with even just 10 minutes of exercise every other day.
And lastly, be sure to inform your family and friends of your plans and enlist their support. Support is extremely important for anyone with weight loss and fitness related goals.
For all your weight loss and healthy lifestyle needs, visit www.weightloss.com.au and become a happier, healthier you.
Scott Haywood
cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA new survey has found that heel pain caused by... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #3) Proper Meal FrequencyMeal Frequency (i.e., the... Read More
Since gastric bypass weight loss surgery gives us a second... Read More
Weight loss is one of the biggest industries in the... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
Many people have asked me what foods they should eat... Read More
Cellulite - Reduce The Appearance --------------------------------- Sallie Elizabeth has always... Read More
Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More
Your health is affected not only by how much body... Read More
Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant found thousands of miles away... Read More
Congratulations on waking up each morning and greeting the day... Read More
You will be surprised to find out how many people... Read More
I've talked to quite a few fellow gastric bypass patients... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
There are several ways to manage cravings. You can: ... Read More
How to Break Your PlateauToday is a typical morning like... Read More
There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More
Making the Decision:Whether you are interested losing ten pounds that... Read More
We all know that losing weight and improving your overall... Read More
The best way to lose weight is by consuming fewer... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More
Watching television exercises our eyes but nothing else. Unfortunately, it... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..Many people limit themselves to one soda a day especially... Read More
When most people think of low carb diets they automatically... Read More
In December 2003, the FDA incorporated an ephedra ban making... Read More
As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded... Read More
Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More
Liposuction works best with people who are a normal weight... Read More
Are you committed to losing weight and keeping it off?... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
Here's what to do if you want to wear that... Read More
Foods that are high in fiber and protein are the... Read More
Believe it or not, losing a little or a lot... Read More
One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More
Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen?2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More
Cellulite is not a medical condition or an aesthetic mutiny... Read More
With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More
Since gastric bypass weight loss surgery gives us a second... Read More
Success stories on the gastric bypass are everywhere, but how... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
It's really difficult for a person to socialise if he... Read More
Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More
Low Carb, Low Fat, More protein, Eat all the fat... Read More
Many gastric bypass patients report melon to be one of... Read More
There are certain eating habits that can make you gain... Read More
Do a little people-watching, next time you're in the grocery... Read More
There's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The... Read More
Weight Loss |