5 Stages Change Model – Making A Complete Transformation

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The Transtheoretical Model, also known as the 5 stages change model of intentional change developed by Prochaska and DiClemente. It recognizes that behavior change occurs gradually and cyclically. By implementing the 5 stages you will experience a complete transformation. This change model consists of the following stages:

5 Stages Change Model

1st Stage Change Model is Precontemplation:

The 5 stages of change starts with precontemplation.  At this stage, you are not actively considering weight loss or may not perceive it as important. You lack awareness of the health risks associated with excess weight or feel resistant to change.

Gathering information about the benefits of weight loss and the risks of maintaining an unhealthy weight is helpful during the precontemplation stage. People in this stage tend to defend their current bad habits and appear to be defensive when confronted about their weight. Also, is you are getting help, your counselor or coach should be empathetic, nonjudgmental, and should only focus on building a strong client/ counselor alliance.

2nd Stage Change Model is Contemplation

During the contemplation stage, you become aware of the need to lose weight and start weighing the pros and cons of doing so, You reflect on how your weight affects your overall health, self-esteem, and quality of life. It is important to explore your motivations, set realistic goals, and educate yourself about healthy weight loss strategies during this stage.

In this stage you intend to start taking responsibility and you acknowledge that you are not quite ready, but you are preparing mentally to make a change, Your statement is “I know I have a problem and I should probably get some help.” However, you still struggle with ambivalence. You are ready to move forward within the next 30 days. First, you start to take small, incremental steps and realize this leads to a healthier lifestyle.

3rd Stage Change Model is Preparation

In the preparation stage you make the decision to lose weight and you get ready to take action. You research different weight loss methods, seek support from local weight loss professionals or support  groups, and create a plan for your journey.

This stage involves setting specific goals, identifying potential challenges, and developing strategies to overcome them.

4th Stage Change Model is Action

The action stage change is when you actively implement your weight loss plan. This involves making healthier habits. Staying committed, tracking your progress, and seeking support from others helps you stay motivated and overcome obstacles.

You recently changed your behavior within the last 6 months. Now you are making healthy food and drink choices. Less high caloric, low nutritional value foods are a thing of the past, you are physically active, and you get adequate amounts of water and sleep. Most importantly, you don’t raid the refrigerator or pantry late at night. You have come along way baby!

5th Stage Change Model is Maintenance

Congratulations! You have reached the maintenance stage and you look awesome. Once you achieve your weight loss goals, you enter the gate where there is no turning back. During this stage of the game your focus is on sustaining your target weight and adopting long-term healthy habits. There are many ways to hunker down during this stage. Learning how to maintain your desired weight is not that difficult.

How to Maintain Your Weight

Keeping weight off requires ongoing effort such as maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and practicing mindful eating. Another important thing to do is to develop a support system. Using self-monitoring is an invaluable skill to learn such as keeping a food journal is one of the best investments at this stage. Also, joining a support group is also key to success. It also makes maintaining weight loss easier.

Join a Support Group

I am so proud of you. You have worked very hard, and your hard work and sacrifice has paid off. This is an incredible accomplishment. At this stage, you have acquired knowledge and powerful skills to help you maintain your weight loss. To add another layer of confidence, join a local support group that will hold you accountable for long-term success. Weight loss does not happen overnight.

Conquering Weight Does Not Happen Overnight

It’s important to note that relapse is common in weight loss journeys. If you experience a setback, no worries, it’s essential to approach it with self-compassion, learn from the experience, recommit to your goals, and press on. You got this. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Conquering weight does not happen overnight. Change takes time.

Change Takes Time and Effort

Change is a process that takes time and effort to make lasting lifestyle changes. By understanding and applying the stages of change to your weight loss journey, you navigate through the challenges. This increases your chances of achieving your desired goals in a sustainable manner. The 5 Stages of Change is also known as the Transtheoretical Model.

The Theoretical Model

Transtheoretical Model, also known as the Stages of Change Model, was developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in the late 1970s. It originated from studies that explored the experiences of smokers who quit on their own compared to those who required further treatment, aiming to understand why some individuals were able to quit independently. The researchers found that people were more likely to quit smoking if they were ready to do so.

Therefore, the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) focuses on an individual’s decision-making process and is designed to facilitate intentional change (Boston University School of public Health).various behavioral theories and constructs that are most effective for different stages of the change model.

Six Stages of Change

It is worth noting that termination was not originally included in the change model and is less frequently applied to health-related behaviors. Each stage of change requires specific strategies and interventions to help individuals move to the next stage and progress through the change model effectively. According to the TTM, individuals progress through six changes:

• Precontemplation
• Contemplation
• Preparation
• Action
• Maintenance
• Termination

Limitations of the Transtheoretical Model

To progress through the stages of change, you can apply cognitive, affective, and evaluative processes. There are ten processes that are more relevant to a specific stage of change than other processes according to The Boston University’s Dr. Wayne W. LaMorte, PhD. Here is the list of the 10 processes:

• The theory ignores the social context in which change occurs, such as social economic status (SES) and income.
• The lines between the stages are arbitrary with no set criteria of how to determine a person’s stage of change. The questionnaires developed to assign a person to a stage of change are not always standardized or validated
• There is no clear sense of how much time is needed for each stage, or how long a person remains in a stage
• The change model assumes that individuals make coherent and logical plans in their decision-making process when this is not always true.

Final Thoughts

The Trans theoretical Model of change is a useful tool to use to help explain why and how you choose to change your habits and lifestyle. It allows you to identify your behavior patterns, motivations, and weight loss milestones. It is a way to calibrate your intentions to change a behavior such as smoking , drinking or weight loss.

Change is constant and will always occur, and understanding the mechanisms and stages involved helps create the move toward a complete transformation. Change elevates your self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-improvement. Change improves you as an individual, as a member of your family, and as member of your community.

Let me know if you are ready for change. Leave your comments in the space provided below. I am more than glad to respond to your questions and comments.

Rachele, Founder

mybluegenes.com

rachele@mybluegenes.com