Making Changes - Moving Towards a New Self
2012 is here and many of us have made a New Year's resolution to become healthier. It has now been two years since I decided to become healthy and make those lifestyle changes that I knew I had to make. See, I was overweight, on high blood pressure and cholesterol medication and pre-diabetic. I was also experiencing pain in my legs when I walked more than a half mile. As a nurse, I knew my future was not looking too good. Teaching classes about health and lifestyle changes was something I was good at, but applying what I knew to my own life was a different story. I had to decide and do as Nike says, "Just Do It".
But making lifestyle changes are not easy. One of the reasons I made the changes in my life was I felt God calling me to do what I knew I could do to be healthy. So, as you begin this new journey, ask for God's guidance and help. Make it a commitment to Him! Then learn all you can about eating right and exercising. Find a support system that will work for you. See your Doctor and discuss with him or her what you are planning. Just like you investigate buying a new car or TV, learn all you can about living a healthy lifestyle.
In 1983 Prochaska and DiClemente developed a behavioral health model for change called "Stages of Change". They discovered when people made permanent changes in their lives, they begin to pass through these stages. In the precontemplation stage - the person has no intention of making a lifestyle change. They really do not recognize the need for the change. The contemplation stage - is where most of us live. We know we need to do something, but not today. Then the person moves to the preparation stage - they are getting ready for the change and even making the plans for the change. For example - they buy the tennis shoes or a piece of exercise equipment from an infomercial. Then when they get serious about the change - they move into the action stage. They are making the changes and as they see positive results from the change, they are motivated to continue the change. The maintenance stage occurs when the goal is met or being met and the person has made the change a lifestyle. The relapse stage is also a place many of us are familiar with.
A lifestyle change is just that - something you begin to do for life. So, let's move away from the words diet or exercise and make it a part of your LIFE!!! Begin a new pattern and embrace the new you. I would like to urge you to begin to move out of the contemplation stage and through the preparation stage into the action stage. Get ready to begin this exciting new journey towards health and wholeness!
In Christ,
Rhonda Johnson
SHCOG Health & Wellness Director
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