Helping You Make Positive Changes In Your Lifestyle - One Step At A Time

Making changes in our lives, such as quitting smoking, being physically active and reducing fat in our diet, is often a very difficult thing to do because we must change our behaviour and lifestyle. Much research has been done on how people make changes in their lives. This research show that we move through 4 stages as we attempt to change:

The Stages of Change:

• PRECONTEMPLATION: not even considering making a change

• CONTEMPLATION: thinking about making a change

• ACTION: doing things to help you change !

• MAINTENANCE: have made the change and it is now part of your lifestyle

To assist residents of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark make healthy lifestyle changes, the Tri-Health Team promoted available self-help programs based on the stages of change related to beginning physical activity, reducing fat in the diet and quitting smoking. In 2000, over 100 people requested information on the steps programs. An evaluation conducted on the "Walk This Way" program (relating to physical activity) showed that 88% of respondents had learned about improving their physical activity and lifestyle and 60% reported the information helped them to get started or do more physical activity. All of the steps programs will continue to be available from the Tri-Health Team through the Health Unit as they have proven to be a helpful change agent for many residents.

In 2000, over 100 people requested information on the steps programs.