Taking Charge of Your Health

It’s Not “All or Nothing”

It’s easy to get down on ourselves about our health if there is a huge gap between our current state of health and what we know it should be or would like for it to be. We may give up before we even attempt to make changes. However, it’s important to recognize that baby steps, mistakes, and even “failures” are part of the process towards making lasting and healthy changes. Here are a few ways that you may find helpful for making changes to your health in small, reasonable, and manageable steps.

A Health-Approved Model of Change

The Public Health Agency of Canada refers to a model of behavioural change that occurs in stages. Of course, every model is limited in that no person or behaviour ever fits neatly into a box or theory. But if a theory or model helps you, why not make use of it? By identifying what stage you’re at, you might get some ideas about how to get to the next stage of better health.

• Precontemplation: little or no intention to change the behaviour in the near future;
• Contemplation: intention to change behaviour in the near future (e.g., within the next 6 months);
• Preparation: intention to take steps to changes (e.g., within the next month);
• Action: engaging in the health behaviour within the past 6 months; and
• Maintenance: consistent practice of desired health behaviour and working to prevent relapse (e.g., 6 months to 5 years).

(from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cgshe-ldnemss/index-eng.php)