Edward T. Creagan

On the first reading, I felt like the book was directed at cancer patients, and somewhat dry. On my second reading of it, I found it more engaging; it is about how to live regardless of a medical diagnosis.

This was the first time I saw the Stages of Change in writing. I first learned about them when jogging alongside a mental health worker, and was delighted when I finally found them listed. Here they are:

Stages of Change
by University of Rhode Island’s Cancer Prevention Research Center (James O. Prochaska, Pd.D.)

Precontemplation
The How-you-gonna-get-‘em-off-the-couch stage. Many people never move forward from this stage.
Contemplation
You’re waiting for that magic moment. You want to change (stop smoling, lose weight, wear sunscreen, cut back on alchol use), and you’re thinking seriously about it.
Preparation
You have decided to take action within the next thirty days.
Action
You are practicing the behavior changes you thought about and prepared for.
Maintenance
You continue to work at practicing your new behavior, but it’s not a struggle any more. ... Some people simply remain in this stage.
Termination
Temptation no longer rears its head. No way will you ever smoke again. Fried food, forget it. Buckle up without thinking about it. You’re a regular in the Monday and Thursday aerobics class. This is the final step in true behavior change.… (mer)