Once you accept where you are in the process of change and honor the steps you need to take before you can progress, change is no longer frustrating.
1.Disbelief:
You are still unconvinced of the need to change
- Read about the health consequences of inactivity and obesity
- Read inspirational stories of those who have successfully changed their lives
- Speak to others who have changed successfully
- Talk to your docotor about the health consequences of inactivity and the benefits of exercise
2. Belief but uncommitted:
You believe you should be more active but cannot get started
- Visualise yourself as a new person: what you will look like, what you will weigh, what clothes you will fit into, how energetic you feel, how much younger you look. Contrast this with the old you.
- Tally the health benefits: how exercise will reduce your chances of heart disease, diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, etc…
- Visualise new social possibilities
- Be realistic about the alternatives: TV watching, more work, watching life pass you by as opposed to active engagement and meeting new challenges
3. Active planning:
You are actively planning the new you
- Set a start date
- Set small, achievable goals even minutes a day, 3 to 4 days per week.
- Make a detailed plan including scheduling your exercise time into your daily planner for at least the next 3 months.
- Be specific; when, how long, and where you will exercise, what back up plan you have for bad weather or unforeseen events including heavier work loads, illness and holidays.
- Enlist support; let others know that you will be exercising, see if friends want to join you.
- Set goals. Think about training for short races or even a half marathon if your a runner.
- Believe in your self and let nothing stand in your way. Its your life!
4. Active engagement:
You are currently engaged in a training routine
- Keep a training journal
- Reward yourself every week, it could be a good movie, concert or another activity you really like
- Maintain a positive attitude towards your progress
- Be consistent
- Dont worry if you miss a session, make it up the next day
5. Image creation:
You are not only training, you are creating a new image for yourself. You see yourself as a “walker” or a “swimmer”
- Visualise this paradigm shift. You should be trying to define yourself by your actions-you are a “tai chi practitioner”, you are a “marathoner”.
- Subscribe to magazines or journals that reinforce your new image.
- Seek out others who are involved in similar activities
6.Image maintenance:
You have a new self image and only severe setbacks such as illness or injury will deter you from keeping up your training.
- Make a backup plan for setbacks
- Continue to refine your goals.Are you training for fitness only? Would you like to set a weight loss goal? Would you like to enter a competition?
7. The new you:
You are a new person
- Expand your horizons by seeking more knowledge about your fitness pursuits.
- Help others to become whole by introducing them to your techniques.
- Consider writing about your experiences.
- Maintain your training diary
