Losing weight - Research Paper Example

Losing Weight From eating unbalanced diets to quitting smoking, and from losing the temper to drinking, many people possess such a long list of behaviors which they are compelled to change or may want to change willingly. They consult numerous doctors and physicians, and while doing so, some of them succeed in giving up their bad and unhealthy habits while others are unable to control them. While, many of them are even successful in changing the bad habits, but may revert to their pervious behaviors in the long term.

In order to change these complex behaviors, two of the psychologists named Prochaska and DiClemente have worked upon the Stages of Change Model. Through this five-step change model, we discover the changing of the habit in the context of losing weight. Five Stage Change Model The change model given by the psychologists consists of the five steps. They include: Pre-contemplation With regards to changing the habit of losing weight, precontemplation is the first stage which counts towards the initiation of the attempts of eliminating the habit of losing weight effectively.

During this stage, the individual continues to receive responses and ideas from other people in their surroundings regarding the things that they are required to change in them. However, they start to give a negative reaction and a bad response towards all these indications by the people. This is because they are currently satisfied with their bad habit of losing weight and staying malnutrition since long. But, if in this stage they listen to others’ responses, this might prove to be useful and beneficial for them (Moser, online).

Contemplation During the second stage of changing the habit of losing weight, the individuals are involved in a process of active thinking regarding giving up the idea of losing weight. In this phase, they need to alter their own and others’ ideas into the firmly held beliefs. They require converting their opinions, thinking and perceptions of changing the habit of losing weight into reality. Thus, motivation is one of the factors which are needed to be boosted and enhanced largely during this time.

Determination The third stage of changing the habit is determination, in which an individual prepares oneself physically and mentally to undertake the action. For example, one may start eating more and exercising more instead of starving oneself to lose weight. Good diet plans can be made in order to keep the body nutritious instead of making it gloomier and dull. Proper schedules can be made and the ability, beliefs and opinions of an individual can be converted into finely determined intentions and actions (Uhler, online).

Action Action is the stage from where the individual starts taking practical actions towards the changing of habit. The schedules are followed and the diet plans are implemented in their daily routine. The ideas and plans finally come into actions. Maintenance The stage of maintenance requires more determination and further willingness to continue the changed habit. This means that the diet plans and exercising schedule is followed regularly and the willing nature to change the habit is continued.

The change process is adequately followed, maintained and integrated into our daily routine. Yet, without doubt we can assume that he maintaining phase is one of the most challenging stage in the behavior change process. This ends the five stage model of change process. The individuals who follow this model properly are successful in changing their negative perceptions and bad habits. Works Cited Moser, Anne. Changing Behavior: Insights and Applications. King County Water and Land Resources Division, 2000.

Accessed on July 26, 2011. Uhler, Jay. How to Change Behavior Patterns: Completing Your New Year's Resolutions. Ambassador Press International, 2005. Accessed on July 26, 2011.