How to change your behavior: Stages of Change

There are six distinct stages in changing one’s behavior, according to Dr. James O. Prochaska:

1. Precontemplation

2. Contemplation

3. Preparation

4. Action

5. Maintenance

6. Termination

There are specific tasks that need to be accomplished in each stage before progressing to the next. Intervention techniques differ for each stage. Hence, coaching a person towards change or improvement entails clearly understanding where he/she is on this progression. Most often, well-meaning advice is not processed because that piece of information is geared towards a specific stage (e.g., active phase) whereas the person does not acknowledge the extent of his problem (i.e., he/she is on the Precontemplation stage). Research also shows that this is not a simple linear progression. More often than not, a person cycles repeatedly between stages, getting stuck at a specific phase without much progress.

In weight loss coaching, whether you are working with an external coach or practicing self-coaching, understanding where you are (and knowing the appropriate “intervention” for each stage) is the key to success.