You’re in the Precontemplation stage for regular exercise. This means that you’re not intending to start exercising regularly within the next six months.

We all know that exercise is good for us, but thinking about fitting it in can make it difficult. Thinking about the benefits of exercise is one way to help you move forward.

For example, did you realize exercising regularly can help you be:

• More confident?
• More energetic?
• Happier?
• Healthier?

Exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight, sleep better, lower your cholesterol, and help you manage stress. What benefits of exercise are important to you?

You’re not intending to eat at least 4½ cups a day in the next six months. This means that you’re in the Precontemplation stage.

An important strategy in this stage is to notice your reaction to stories about how eating enough fruits and vegetables each day has affected
others. How do you feel when you read the following story about Jon, a 48-year-old carpenter?

At my last physical, the doc told me that I’m at risk for heart disease
because of my family history and my high blood pressure. She suggested that I
change my diet. I’ve heard lots about eating low-fat foods, but she said
that it’s also important to eat at least 4½ cups of fruits and vegetables a day.
She gave me a pamphlet about all the good things eating plenty of fruits and
vegetables can do for me, like helping to lower my blood pressure and
cholesterol. It can even help prevent some kinds of cancer. That was the first
time anyone told me that I could add something to my diet to be healthier. I like that idea.

Being worried about the potential health risks of not eating enough fruits and vegetables—or being inspired by the health benefits of eating at least 4½ cups a day—will help you think more about how to include enough fruits and vegetables in your life.

OK, now you know what stage of change you’re in for exercise and healthy eating and what steps to take next. For more customized guidance that is individualized to your needs, you can check out the programs offered by our friends at Pro-Change Behavior Systems.

Pro-Change offers award-winning, scientifically based behavior change programs to help you live healthier—and best of all, the programs are tailored to your answers to simple questions.

The MyHealth: Lifestyle Management Suite includes online programs for exercising regularly, healthy eating, weight management, smoking, stress management, depression prevention, and adherence to blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications. For $35, you can access for one year all of those programs.. The programs work wherever you are at not ready, getting ready, or ready to make a behavior change. Give them a try.