Positive Psychology

How to achieve long term change

Any program to improve health will include a program of exercise and diet. However this is often insufficient to achieve the changes that people want.

The first step is to provide an exercise program not only for one-to-one Personal Training sessions but also a weekly program of exercise. The weekly program might be as varied as stretching and simple movement routines to jogging or even using equipment in local parks as strengthening and conditioning aids.

Closely following a lifestyle assessment will follow. Based on well research psychological principles this assessment will focus on areas where the pressures of life induce un-healthy choices versus healthy choices. Much can be achieved by focussing on an individual’s motivations. Conversely by not focussing on the whole person change can be difficult to effect.

Every day we go about our life without needing to think much about many of the things we are doing. A good example is driving the car to work. Once in the car we don’t need to think about what speed we are doing, when to put a blinker on to turn a corner, we might not even think about the route we take to get to work, it is all pretty much automatic. The motivation for getting into the car, i.e. getting to work, might even be lost in this daily routine. This is a double edge sword, clearly we would not want to evaluate which route to take to work every day, but then again we might be blinded to better alternatives.

The same applies to many of the life choices we make. Below the surface of our personality are many competing motivations and external forces. A life style and daily routine assessment allows a person to fully understand how to build on their strengths and become aware of their weaknesses. People are taught how to build routines that complement their exercise and diet programs.

Of course action precedes motivation and the focus of any program is exercise and movement. A complete assessment is made of the client’s physical status, including any aliments or injuries. A series of simple tests establishes a baseline of flexibility and endurance. Form here a personalised exercise routine is developed.

It is the complete life style assessment and exercise program that can be the link to long term change.