To get started, look at your list of pros and cons. If you are in the preparation stage, you are about to take action. meet new people and spend time with them.reduce my risk for serious health problems.may need to convince my family that we all have to eat healthier foods.Think about factors that are important to you. Find the items you believe are true for you. Look at the lists of pros and cons below. You may learn more about the benefits of changing your eating and physical activity habits from a health care professional. Making the leap from thinking about change to taking action can be hard and may take a while. You may find that it is easier to be physically active and eat healthy knowing that it may help control blood glucose and protect you from a serious disease. This means you also may develop type 2 diabetes. For example, suppose your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is a bit high and you have a parent, brother, or sister who has type 2 diabetes. Think about how the benefits of healthy eating or regular physical activity might relate to your overall health. How would life be better if you made some changes? Asking yourself about the pros (benefits) and cons (things that get in the way) of changing your habits may be helpful. Making the leap from thinking about change to taking action can be hard and may take time. Contemplation: Are you thinking of making changes? you have had slip-ups and setbacks but have been able to get past them and make progressĭid you find your stage of change? Read on for ideas about what you can do next.you have found creative ways to stick with your routine.your changes have become a normal part of your routine.In this final stage, you have become used to your changes and have kept them up for more than 6 months. have been trying to overcome things that sometimes block your success.are adjusting to how it feels to eat healthier, be more active, and make other changes such as getting more sleep or reducing screen time.have been making eating, physical activity, and other behavior changes in the last 6 months or so.In this third stage, you are acting on your plan and making the changes you set out to achieve. are getting ready to put your plan into actionĪction: “I have started to make changes.”.have set some specific goals that you would like to meet.have decided that you are going to change and are ready to take action.In this next stage, you are making plans and thinking of specific ideas that will work for you.

Preparation: “I have made up my mind to take action.” are not sure how you will overcome the roadblocks that may keep you from starting to change.believe that your health, energy level, or overall well-being will improve if you develop new habits.have been considering change but are not quite ready to start.In this first stage, you are thinking about change and becoming motivated to get started. What stage of change are you in? Contemplation: “I’m thinking about it.” The four stages of changing a health behavior are You will also find tips to help you improve your eating, physical activity habits, and overall health. The information below outlines four stages you may go through when changing your health habits or behavior. New habits may help you look better and have more energy. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they may become part of your daily routine. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, may also help you manage your weight and have more energy. And, you may face roadblocks along the way.Īdopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. Sometimes it takes a while before changes become new habits. Changing your habits is a process that involves several stages. Maintenance: Have you created a new routine?Īre you thinking about being more active? Have you been trying to cut back on less healthy foods? Are you starting to eat better and move more but having a hard time sticking with these changes?.Action: Have you started to make changes?.Preparation: Have you made up your mind?.Contemplation: Are you thinking of making changes?.

Healthy habits to start today