How do we motivate ourselves to start exercising? Take time out and decide what you really want.

The solution, I think, it to take some time out and to spend it contemplating what you really want in your life. I am certain that good health will feature high on your list of priorities. I don't believe that you need further convincing of the important role of exercising in bringing this about!

The whole behaviour modification is not all that simple and there are really several stages we should recognise that we have to pass through. In 1992, Prochaska, a famous behavioural psychologist identified the following 5 stages of behaviour change needed to adjust first your attitude and then your actions.

Identify which stage you are at.

1. Pre-contemplation: You are not considering changing your behaviour (e.g.. becoming active)– certainly not in the next 6 months.
2. Contemplation: You are thinking about changing your behaviour in the next 6 months.
3. Preparation: You are preparing for the change and are in fact already making some positive adjustments. (This might be where most of you are at?)
4. Action: You have implemented the behaviour change but for a period less than 6 months.
5. Maintenance: You have implemented the behaviour change for more than 6 months.

Is there something "magic" about the 6 month time period? In a way – there is. Research shows that within 6 months of commencing an exercise programme (a form of behaviour change), 50% of participants drop out.

Therefore it makes sense that if you can motivate yourself and be very disciplined during the first six months of your programme and make the effort – you are much more likely to succeed long term!

SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE OUR ATTITUDE?

1. You have hopefully been empowered with evidence-based health-related knowledge about physical activity from all the articles you have read on this topic.
2. You have perhaps identified where you are in the "Stages of Change" of behaviour model.
3. You know whether or not you have what it takes to bring about the change in your lifestyle.
4. You've identified external and internal barriers.
5. You've figured how to deal with each of these barriers and CONQUER them!

Now there is only one thing left to do…JUST DO IT!!

Let this "Shape up for Summer" exercise programme really become a "Shape up for Life" programme. I certainly hope that I can facilitate this happening.

By Kathleen McQuaide, for Health24

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