Like many things in our lives that we invest in; before the actual investment of time or money begins, we first have to think about it. If change in your exercise life is not something that you are currently thinking about then no matter the contest or the best friend that wants you to do it with her will cut the mustard. This is something we have known all along, but now documentation supports these feelings and has a road map (so to speak) of the stages we go through to get ready to be serious about that pesky exercise recommendation.
We all begin with a stage called ‘Pre-Contemplation’ this translates into “I’m not ready to workout. I’m not thinking about working out. You are kidding if you think I’m going to work out.” What exercise has to offer means little to you, even if you have had a health scare. That does not make you necessarily ready. This valley could last days, weeks, years, or a lifetime. For some, we just don’t plan on adding this health prevention to our lives. We are willing to take our chances. This is a path on the road that I hope many people visit briefly and move on to something better like ‘Contemplation.’
O.K., I’m happy to see that the thought of exercise might not be such a downer on your life. You are exposed to television and well read os you are not clueless to what exercise can do for your life. The health scares you encountered during your ‘Pre-Contemplation’ stage may also be why you are considering to consider. ‘Contemplation’ brings thought, but it still does not bring action. As people go, we can think about something FOREVER and never take action on it. It is important that if you are in the ‘Comtemplation’ stage, that stage of thinking about it to surround yourself with options. Join a gym, enter a weight loss challenge, get a buddy to work with you (that is ready too). Don’t just get to feeling good because you are thinking about (contemplating) exercising. Instead, take that next step to ‘Preparation.’
At this point you don’t need convincing from anyone. You are not only ready to change, but you are looking forward to the changes you are about to embark on. In the weight loss world you might be thinking about fitting your clothes better and feeling better about yourself in the mirror. This is a good thing. So, you have not only called the local gym, not only visited the local gym, but you are now a member of the local gym. You had your tour of all the equipment and received a copy of the aerobics calendar. You are excited! You can tell this is about to happen for you. You are ready for the next step ‘Action.’
At this point you are following the advice of the local gym trainer and coming to the gym at least 4 days a week. You are experiencing results and after the initial shock wore off; you are happy about what you are seeing. You can’t believe it’s happening to you, but there you are…the one in the mirror…the one on the scale. It’s really you! You are realizing a couple of things; exercising isn’t as bas as you thought it was going to be. Sure, in the beginning you were sore, but once you broke through that your body felt better. You also noticed you were sleeping better, and you were not so tired. Could all of these things be a result of just exercising? Yes! Exercise takes over your body, not just your muscles. It is medicine for your soul that feeds off of each other. For example, the body is exercising so blood is circulating; this stimulates the brain and releases impulses to create that ‘feel good’ euphoric sensation Exercise begins immediately to reward you with much more than just fitting into your jeans (although that’s a euphoric sensation as well). In the ‘Action’ stage you realized you can really do this and keep doing it. It has not taken away from your life instead it has enriched it. Time goes by and you continue to faithfully exercise and now are a regular at the local gym. The staff knows your name and certain members rely on you as a motivator. The weight continues to come off (even with a few setbacks), but more importantly you are ready for the nex step, the ‘Maintenance’ stage.
At this point you have arrived and not only experience rewards from your exercise and healthy eating, but your opinion has changed. You value what these changes can do to a person’s life. What they have done for your life; you are on the other side and a believer. You may experience some setbacks, but your philosophy on exercise and healthy eating has changed to the point that setbacks are not scary, but a part of the process. You have learned to push pass the negative thoughts that encourage you to give up. Quite possibly you will feel guilty if you skip your workout. This is a definite indication that you are in your ‘Maintenance’ stage. You recognize the importance of providing this care to your body and you want your body to have that care. You finally get it!
You are at the DOING stage and because you walked through each step you have increased your chances of staying there.
Be proud of you and keep yourself there!
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Pam G.
