Kenneth Gardner
THE IDEAL healthy lifestyle may appear complex and out of reach. Many of us fall into a lifestyle that puts us at risk for disease. Some of us are not aware of the damage that we do to ourselves, others do not want to know. Some of us want to change but are unable to start the process. These are genuine problems, however they are not insurmountable.
We can and do make difficult decisions that change our lives when we embark on an exercise programme. We improve our ability to manage mental stress, reduce our weight, reduce our heart rate and reduce high blood pressure.
Initially, making major decisions about our wellness may seem like too much hard work, however as we make progress, the process gets easier. At first, we will be rewarded with a better sense of control, satisfaction, a feeling of empowerment and improved self-esteem. These benefits will encourage us to make the effort to elicit further improvement. In time, you will appreciate what wellness feels like and the therapeutic effects of physical exercise on your energy levels.
STAGES IN BEHAVIOUR
There are many popular theories that we can use to make changes in our health- related behaviours. In studying persons who are trying to make changes such as starting an exercise programme, "Prochaska's theory" has been quite useful. Six stages have been identified in the theory.
At the pre-contemplation stage we either deny that a problem exists or we believe that we do not have any control over the situation.
The contemplation stage is next; we recognise the problem and try to understand it. However, our thoughts on managing the problem are vague.
The preparation stage involves making a specific plan of action such as making an appointment to get help, procuring equipment to start an exercise programme or making plans to start exercising.
The action stage requires much more discipline and commitment. Much determination is needed at this stage by many of us to make this transition. We might need to seek help if necessary because this is the point at which many of our grandiose plans come to grief.
Congratulations to those of us who have made the transition to the next stage, the maintenance stage. This begins when a behaviour change has been achieved. During this stage, the challenge is on in earnest and it is a struggle for many against lapses and relapses to maintain their commitment to the wellness programme. If you have made good choices in your selection of exercise programmes as well as health clubs or personal trainers your sense of satisfaction will be exponential. Otherwise you will need to re-evaluate your choices and decisions and make the needed remediations.
When the problems and temptations of relapse no longer exist and the cycle of change has been completed, the final stage has been completed.
It is believed that the single most important choice we can make to promote wellness is to be physically active. We cannot control every aspect of our health because of the numerous unknowns and their permutations. However, we can develop a lifestyle that minimises our health risks and maximises our enjoyment of life and well being by being physically active.
Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at the G. C. Foster College of Physical Education; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
