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
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..As I explained in the first part of this article,... Read More
One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More
Fat burning exercise is not merely one that will burn... Read More
AND SAVE MONEY IN THE PROCESS. The secret is simple... Read More
All weight loss diets make you FatThat's right, because on... Read More
THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More
Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and... Read More
In the battle to look good, there's a cosmetic treatment... Read More
You know what is so amazing? We get to keep... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More
Let me tell you something - if you are doing... Read More
In many cases conventional dieting wisdom simply doesn't work for... Read More
Just because you're working hard, doesn't mean that you're working... Read More
I want to talk about the "all or nothing" outlook... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More
We all encounter those hosts and hostesses who feel it... Read More
A distorted body image is one of the symptoms that... Read More
Addicted to Restaurants Are you addicted to restaurants? So are... Read More
Although it is obviously not possible to turn the clock... Read More
There are several ways to manage cravings. You can: ... Read More
In health clubs, they run classes that call themselves "aerobics".... Read More
I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More
What to Do with the Leftovers?Okay, tell me if you've... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..Green tea has been highly valued in Asia for centuries... Read More
Fasting, when done properly, can be a basic part of... Read More
In many cases conventional dieting wisdom simply doesn't work for... Read More
Looking for Diet Programs on net is like looking for... Read More
20 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT1. Take it one step at... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #4) Eat More ProteinYes, it's important to... Read More
How many calories do you need? Well, that depends on... Read More
Are you one of the many people who feel frustrated... Read More
Have you ever wondered how actors stay in such great... Read More
Well we're at it again, trying to honor our promise... Read More
Do You Sometimes Eat Because You're Afraid You'll "Miss Out"... Read More
Losing weight doesn't have to be boring when you focus... Read More
I thought I could avoid this when we moved to... Read More
Lose Weight - Get A Break ---------------------------------------- The American Obesity... Read More
For the past several years one subject has been coming... Read More
Now I know you're always asking yourself questions.You know the... Read More
Low carb (carbohydrate), high protein diets are the latest ... Read More
Have a conversation about gastric bypass surgery with just about... Read More
Are you a 'look-and-lose' dieter? Have you studied every diet... Read More
Don't diet, just eat and lose weight!First, the following "diet"... Read More
When people hear the term Unified Theory, some times called... Read More
Hold the onions! Let's talk "liver". No, not beef liver,... Read More
Gastric bypass surgery has many forms and can involve stapling... Read More
What are the best fad diets? It's a question I'm... Read More
If you're taking a fiber supplement or eating a high... Read More
Weight Loss |