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Has your New Year’s resolution faltered? Maybe you weren’t ready to change…

It’s May 2018, 4 months have already passed since most of us set our New Year’s resolutions. Why is it that this year is no different in that we have already stopped following our resolutions?

The truth is that the concept of behaviour change is very complex. One model that most healthcare practitioners use to help describe behaviour change is called the Stages-of- Change model. The theory behind the Stages-of-Change model is that people may fall on different stages in their readiness to change. Quite simply, if you are not ready to change then setting yourself a goal to try and force this change will not be successful.

Why do so many of us fail with New Year’s Resolutions? If you’re like me, then setting a New Year’s resolution seems like the right thing to do. It’s the start of a new year, why shouldn’t it be the start of a new you? For many of us this decision is forced upon us by the time of year; rather, than based on how prepared we are to make a permanent change.

There are 5 stages of change: 1) Pre-contemplation. 2) Contemplation. 3) Preparation. 4) Action. 5) Maintenance.

It is not until we reach the 2nd stage of Contemplation that we give any thought to making a behaviour change. However, progressing from contemplation to taking action towards a new behaviour can often be difficult and it presents with many obstacles. This is where most of us fail with our resolutions. We think about making a change, but often we do not know how to start or sustain the change over time.

Let us help you with making your positive behaviour change. Whether it is to start exercising, eat healthier, or get over those pesky injuries, we at the Human Performance Centre are here to help you make a successful behaviour change.

Trevor Watson, PT

Trevor is a physiotherapist at the Human Performance Centre. You can contact him at 738-8299

The holidays have come and gone and hopefully our 2018 New Years resolutions are in motion. With the day of love approaching, it is never too late to add one more resolution to the list. The love for health. Every year, we are all guilty of making realistic and sometimes, unrealistic goals about joining a gym, getting back on track or shredding those extra pounds we put on over the Holidays. Our health should always be on the top of our list and a goal that we work towards every day. Health is a lifestyle, not a diet and I believe the secret is finding a balance that works for you.

An article written by Tina Hoffman, A Heartbeat of Difference, suggests that optimal work performance requires a balance between work and lifestyle related factors. Factors such as healthy working conditions; effective stress management, a balanced diet along with a satisfactory level of fitness. We all feel stress. Stress can directly or indirectly affect our lifestyle by causing us to engage in unhealthy behaviours such as excessive eating. Rather, people do not realise or choose not to realise, that our health takes a hit and does more harm than good as we eat our stresses away.

The key is finding different ways of dealing with the daily stresses in our lives that will make us look and feel good by the end of the day. Make a plan, set a goal and join that gym you have been meaning to and get back on track to shredding that extra weight. Hold yourself accountable. Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to decrease stress levels. Find what kind of exercise works for you and develop a strong and passionate relationship with it. Our bodies are made to move so lets move them. Find a new love this Valentine’s Day, your health.