How to Live a Healthy and Happy Lifestyle – Part 4 – The 6 Stages of Change
Siddharth stood on the field for the tryouts. He was somewhat confident that he would make the team. But he had to admit, he hadn’t expected so many of his colleagues to show up.
The tryouts began, and after a few minutes, Sid could feel himself becoming breathless and tired. He had not run this much for so long. He was sure he didn’t pant like this during college, but he also knew that he didn’t smoke back then. So he made up his mind to quit smoking.
He knew it was not going to be easy and he had heard of so many people who tried to quit but failed. The tryouts went on and he did well. He was a star player in college after all!
Soon, the coach announced that the tryouts were over and matches would take place on weekends, and practice would be 3 times a week. He heard his name being called out. He was selected.
Kusum watched her husband giving away her dairy milks to their neighbor’s children that morning. Things were about to change. Her husband and she had made a pact to go for long walks at the park every evening.
Kusum would cut down on her sweets even though she would miss them dearly. Her husband had found her an alternative “good luck” food to eat each morning. An apple. Silly old Kusum had tried sneaking into her cupboard for some chocolate in the evening.
She was confused as to where her dairy milks had gone before remembering the events of the morning. Her husband had laughed, claiming “Old habits die hard dear”.
Yes, it was going to be hard, but Kusum was ready to face the challenges and her husband was always with her along the way.
She silently promised herself, “By the next vacation, I will be ready. Even if not perfect, I will be ready enough that we can go and enjoy ourselves without my health getting in the way”.
Rahul had been working at his current company for about 8 years. He found it surprising that he never knew where the stairs were. It had been his usual habit to walk straight to the lift and up to the 3rd floor where his office was.
After looking around a bit, he noticed the stairs behind the lift area. Looking up at the winding staircase he let out a groan. “Maybe he could start from tomorrow?” he thought to himself. He remembered his kids and begun climbing.
He was winded and red faced by the time he reached his room. Gulping down an entire bottle of water he settled into his chair and immediately sat straight, which felt uncomfortable compared to his usual slouching.
It was only day one and he had many more to go. “It was all for his kids”, he thought to himself. No matter how difficult it may be, he was determined to start taking care of himself and he was sure he could do it. There were many changes to make and taking the stairs had been just one of them. There was a long way to go!
Change of habits and lifestyles is never easy. But it isn’t impossible as well.
Our 5 friends have just begun their paths to a healthier living. Even though there are many obstacles and hurdles along the way, they are determined to follow through.
So can you. After all you might be any one of them.
So what happens next in the lives of these 5 different people?
Keep reading to find out…
Until then, Stay healthy, Think healthy and be healthy!
Here is the link to the last post in the series:
