There are "5 Stages of Change" a person goes through when they start to make any changes in their lives. Everyone proceeds through these 5 Stages at their individual rates and at different times in their lives. While it might take one person weeks, months, or even years to move through one of the stages, someone else might move through that stage in a matter of days. Another unique concept of these stages is that they do not have to be addressed in a straight line. Some times people lapse back into a previous stage before they move forward again. It is part of the process of adopting new behaviors and people progress as they are ready.

The 5 Stages of Change are:

    "Not ready for a change"
    "Thinking about making a change"
    "Preparing for action"
    "Taking action"
    "Maintaining a good thing for life"

(These may also be referred to as pre-contemplation, contemplation preparation, action, maintenance).

In the "Not Ready..." stage, the idea of even starting to be more physically active is not in your mind. Perhaps you have tried to start a program before and it failed (for whatever reasons). Maybe you are not aware of the importance of being physically active on a regular basis. Maybe it just is not important to you (or a family member if you are seeking information on their behalf) right now. That is fine. Now would be a good time to make a list of the costs and the benefits for starting to be more physically active. Think of it as a "pro's and con's" list of what matters to you about being more physically active.

List your barriers to starting a program right now. They could be personal and/or they could be a physical part of your environment. Factors like not enough time in the day or lack of someone to support your efforts would be examples of personal issues. No place safe or affordable to go to exercise would be an example of an environmental issue. Then, list the assets for getting started right now. Family members, friends, warmer/cooler weather beginning, an important event or date coming up on your schedule, anything that might be a goal for you to get started. Keep your list someplace where you can check on it periodically and when the time seems right, move on to the next stage.

In the "Thinking about it..." stage, you have a goal and a date in mind, something will happen with your plan in the next 6 months or less. You have checked on your list from the previous stage and have thought about the pro's and con's of getting started. You are thinking that you can do this! Now would be a good time to re-visit those barriers and see what you can do to reduce or even eliminate them. At the same time, look at that list of assets or resources and start to get things lined up to be more physically active. Talk up your plans to family members and friends. Find some social support for what you want to try and get started.

Start looking for ways that you would enjoy being more physically active. If you do not like what you are going to be doing, you won't stick with your program. If you need special things to be successful, find them in your community. If the thought of riding a bike to be more physically active is appealing to you, dust off that old one in the garage and see if it still fits your body size, or start shopping for a new bike now. If the idea of wearing a swimsuit in public horrifies you, do not choose swimming as your way to be more physically active at this time. You would be setting yourself up to fail.