Get Your Mind and Body Moving

As summer approaches most people renew their goal of going to the gym 5 times a week, cutting out sugar, running their first 5k or making a greater effort to get those fruits and veggies in. But after the first week of this lifestyle, the reality of how hard it is to change sets in. Desserts start calling, your alarm clock in the morning seems to get earlier and earlier, and the drive to the gym seems too far. Learning to understand change, though, can help you find and keep that motivation you started with.
According to University of Rhode Island researchers James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente, there are six stages of change: pre-contemplation is the mindset before you even think about making a change; contemplation is the stage in which you start to think about making a change; preparation is the stage during which you start to get ready for a change; action is when you are in the midst of changing; maintenance is remaining consistent with your new behaviors; and relapse is falling back on former behaviors.

Planning for Change
To best set yourself up for lasting change, you must plan. Gathering resources and information can put you on the path to success. Asking yourself what in your lif needs to be different and what are the necessary steps to reach your goal will help as well. Break it down to the tiny details!

Stage Shifting
Once you figure out where you are in the stages of change, think about how to transition smoothly. Maybe you've been exercising with regularity, but the flu set you back two weeks. How will you get yourself back to your regimen? Taking a step back and recognizing where you are can help you determine what to do next. It doesn't have to be a big thing that gets you going, because solid change usually comes from a gradual process.

Relapse
This is a dreaded stage, but is almost a normal occurance. Especially if you started to hard, too fast. If you notice that you've slipped, instead of beating yourself up, consider relapse as an opportunity to change how you approached your goal last time. Coming up with a new plan can help you last even longer than before

Support
Successful change needs support. Look at where your life takes you, including the places and people you are with. Which help and which hurt? Setting your sights on positive influences and asking for help will assist you in your new behaviors. It can even make it more fun!