Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

Health Tips by Rachael Martin MS, RD

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME CHANGE?

We are well into the New Year now-how are the promises for changing that you made to yourself going? Are you moving forward, or have you slipped back into old ways? You may have made some resolutions involving health, weight, or other topics. Regardless of the context, changing is hard work.

One model for change I have found to be helpful for my clients is outlined by James Prochaska. In his book he looked at the 'Stages of Change' and readiness of individuals to make a change. If you find yourself sitting in one of the stages, try to move only one stage at a time, rather than jump to perfection! You might find yourself to be more successful if you take this approach. Here are the stages:

1. Pre-Contemplation
You think you might want to make a change but do not feel ready yet. You feel some resistance and lack of motivation to the idea, even if it is "good for you."

2. Contemplation
You are open to changing, and see the benefits, however are not quite ready to do it yet! You might call yourself a procrastinator.

3. Preparation
Here you seriously take steps to get ready to make a change, probably within the next month or so. No joking around now!

4. Action
You've made some changes, and held to them for up to six months.
Maybe you are finding the new way of life isn't so bad after all.

5. Maintenance
Give yourself a hand-you've done it! You are working at staying with the changes and not going back to your old ways. Keep at it long enough and it will get easier.

You can read all about this in the book Changing For Good, by James Prochaska.

Rachael Martin, M.S., R.D. is the owner of Eating and Body Image Solutions, a nutritional therapy and consulting business. She also works as a freelance writer and speaker on nutritional topics. Her specialties include mental health nutrition, eating disorders, weight management, longevity nutrition and PCOS. She can be reached at (520)235-1568 or at ebis-rd@earthlink.net.