Are you ready?
So, you already know that regular physical activity can do great things
for your health and well-being. And when you pair that with good nutrition,
your body is sure to thank you! But isn't getting started the hardest part?
Like any change in your life, knowing where you are and where you're going
is important.
Have you ever noticed that what works for some people when they make a change in their life may not work for you? Most people move through a series of five stages of readiness as they change behaviors. What helps someone in one stage may not work for someone in another stage. Look at the graphic below to see where you fall in the stages of change.
Stages of Change in Adding Physical Activity Into Your Life-Where Are You?
These stages represent a spiral path to adopting regular physical activity into your life. Each stage takes a period of time to acquaint yourself with new behaviors.
Effort and commitment is needed in all stages. You will move through each stage as you are ready to change. The interesting part of this model is that is recognizes you may not always move forward in a straight line. There will be times when you lapse, going back to an earlier stage. Then the time will come when you are ready to advance forward. This is expected and part of the process of adopting new behaviors. You will progress when you are ready.
For more information on the stage you're in now, click on the appropriate link below. The ideas and suggestions you'll read are designed just for where you are.
- Stage 1: Not Ready for Change
- Stage 2: Thinking About Change
- Stage 3: Preparing for Action
- Stage 4: Taking Action
- Stage 5: Maintaining a Good Thing
- When is a medical evaluation necessary?
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: April 9, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
