Are You Ready to Lose Your Weight?
A client came in all excited to start her weight loss program. I did an intake and gave her a personalized food plan. She seemed motivated as she left afterwards. I was convinced she would do well.
But the next week's visit she did virtually nothing! So what did I do?
I pondered the stages of change.
I knew that my client was beyond the stage of pre-contemplation, that initial stage where there is no intention to change. She knew she needed to make some changes (the second stage of change) with her eating and lifestyle habits because of her serious health issues. She was in the preparation stage when she kept her first appointment; she was preparing to start the process of change. But she got stuck in the action phase where she had to do the work.
After we discussed her past week, she realized she was overwhelmed with the multifaceted changes she needed to make in her already chaotic and busy life. As a true perfectionist, she tried to make all these changes at once and of course failed.
After much convincing on my part, we decided to take more modest steps where she could be successful. We also decided to focus on her health rather than weight loss alone. By making a few more do-able changes in her approach she felt ready to do the work. (She also gave herself non-food rewards as acknowledgment of success.)
She finally lost her weight. She is now in the maintenance stage. She is realizing that even in this blissful stage, she will have a relapse or two. This is perfectly normal in weight management - and part of the process in the stages of change.
What stage of change are you in? Are you continually going forward with your goals?
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