Winning at Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Habits

We all know techniques on how to lose weight and what we need to do, but why then do so many of us struggle with our healthy eating and lifestyle goals? Our eating patterns are highly engrained behaviours that have subconscious and automatic drivers. To alter these behaviour patterns is somewhat like digging up a root buried under cement. So, if you are one of many who are extremely hard on yourself for not yet being able to conquer your healthy eating and living plan, know it is a highly complex cognitive and behavioral process.

Behaviour change is one of the hardest goals for anyone to conquer. In order to achieve the successful implementation of changing our behaviour, there are two crucial factors that must be present. The first critical step that you must be aware of prior to starting action is knowing what stage of readiness to change you are at. Then, the second and equally important element you need to assess are your personal, intrinsic motivators.

There are five stages in the transtheoretical model of behaviour change which include the following:

1) Precontemplators - People in this category would say, "I can't" or "I won't"
2) Contemplators - People in this category would say, "I might"
3) Preparation - People in this category would say, "I will"
4) Action - People in this category would say, "I am"
5) Maintenance - People in this category would say, "I still am"

What stage are you in?

In addition to knowing what stage of readiness to change you are in, you must also know or discover what your personal motivation is for wanting to make this change. Intrinsic motivation describes a motivator that comes from within you rather than an external source. What this translates to is that your motivators must align with your personal values in order to succeed. These intrinsic motivators not only lay the ground work to being able to be successful with your health and fitness goals, but they also strengthen your commitment and resolve.

In Well Coaches 'Mount Lasting Change Pyramid', which highlights the steps needed to make long term behaviour change, 12 out of the 15 steps are cognitive rather than action oriented. This pyramid demonstrates the importance of exploring the cognitive concepts, planning, and strategizing needed to succeed with actualizing lasting healthy behaviour change. Could it be that you have jumped ahead up the pyramid in to action before building a stable base platform to stand on?

How could taking these progressive steps help you achieve long lasting results for adopting a healthier lifestyle and achieving weight loss? These steps give you the tools and equipment you need to build your stable pyramid upon which you will climb and then stand successfully at your peak. You will discover and create a pesonalized health success plan based on your needs, strengths, values, and goals. A Well Coach will assist you to be a conscious, active, winning participant in losing weight and creating a healthy lifestyle.

1. Prev:Health Benefits of Exercise – Reducing Disease Risk
2. Next:The 7 Day Detox Dilemma