So there’s a theory about readiness to change that is pretty well-known in the psychology world and it goes like this:

• change (or being ready to change – i.e. to start getting moving) is a cycle with five stages.
• stage 1 is when you are not even thinking about becoming more active.
• stage 2 is when you aren’t yet active, but you are thinking about it.
• stage 3 is when you are doing some activity but not consistently
• stage 4 is when you are regularly and consistently active but have been for less than six months
• and then finally, stage 5 is when you’ve been going regularly for more than six months.

Now, I think the most important thing to know about this cycle, is that it is totally natural to move through it, backwards and forwards. Slips are a part of life and it is unlikely that you will reach stage five and stay there forever. Off days, set-backs, real life, all get in the way, and learning to get past that is part of the process. But as you progress, getting back on the wagon and forgiving yourself seems easier and slip-ups seem less of a big deal.

So remember, it’s a cycle: no slow week (or month, or year) is permanent and change is possible.

What stage do you see yourself in? What could you do to get ready for the next stage?

(If you want to know more about the stages, search ‘Prochaska and DiClemente stages of readiness to change’.)