Now we have started to ''Think About Exercising''. Though it is a positive move in the right direction of the successful Action and Maintenance Stages, it is important to realize that a person could very well be ''stuck'' in this stage for months, years, or possibly a lifetime. Remember that thinking about it doesn't always equate to thinking about it positively. Many will look at the potential change as a possible negative impact, threatening their ''Comfort Zone'';. So the individual now begins to weigh the Pros and Cons or the Benefits vs. The Risk of moving ahead and starting an exercise program. Statistics show that someone is more likely able to make a change if they believe the effort is worthwhile. More formally, the weighing of Pros and Cons represents ones orientation towards the Health Belief Model.

This model suggests that an individuals health behavior, in this case wanting to exercise, is related to the following 5 factors

• The belief that the negative health aspects of not becoming physically active will have harmful effects on you personally
• The belief that you really are susceptible to the Health Risks
• The perceived barriers you face in successfully moving forward
• The confidence you feel in being able to accomplish what is necessary to successfully start and maintain an exercise program.
• The Pros and Cons of changing your current lifestyle to start exercising

During this time of weighing the Benefits Vs. the Risks involved , there becomes a lot of what I call ''Yeah But''. Examples of this would be ''Yeah But'' I don't have time, I don't enjoy it, I am not good at physical activity, I am not fit enough to begin to exercise, the weather is too cold, the cost is too much to join a gym, and the list goes on and on. Once again the Trainer, Health Professional, concerned family member or the individual themselves needs to identify what is a rational concern and stumbling block and how it can be overcome to move forward into the Preperation Stage. This next move really takes that person from ''Thinking About It'' to ''Acting on It''.

One exercise I recommend for those wanting to move from the contemplation Stage to the Preparartion Stage is this:

Draw a line on a piece of paper with the left side representing the negative effects of not exercising and the right side representing the positive aspects of exercising.

Put an x on the line representing where you believe you are experiencing in your current condition. Above that x draw a box long enough to stretch to the right side of the line and all the way to the Positive/Exercising side. Include in this box at least 5 things that you are aware of that you could do to move closer to getting to the goal of exercising. Above this box write at least 5 things that have been or could be obstacles in you achieving your goal. Finally put a large C at the top of the page and draw an arrow to one of the 5 things you know that you can do to move yourself closer to achieving your goal of exercising. Choose wisely because you will be committing to yourself to ''Acting on It''. Let's say that you have decided to pick ''Taking the Stairs'' at work instead of the elevator a couple times a week. This decision to Act on It moves you from the Contemplation Stage to the Preparation Stage.