Health Behavior Modification

823 Words2 Pages

The behavior change I pursued included running 3 miles a day for three days of the week. In this analysis I explore how my perceptions fit within the Theory of Planned Behavior, overview specific methods of change, evaluate pitfalls, social support, and identify potential areas of improvement. I chose the health behavior of running 3 miles three times per week because I wanted to decrease my risk for developing cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol—both of which run in my family, lose weight to reduce my risk of obesity later in life, and lower my blood pressure. Accomplishing my task appeared straightforward when applying my attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms to the Theory of Planned Behavior; initially I had all necessary aspects to initiate a lifestyle change. Before starting my regiment I had the belief that regular running leads to decreased weight and improves overall health. Health and appropriate body size are both characteristics I evaluate as desirable. Subjective cultural norms highlighting the value of appropriate weight, active lifestyle, and overall health influenced my motivation to comply to these standards. In this way beliefs as well as evaluations of the beliefs influenced my motivation to start running. Additionally my perception of behavioral control and sense of self-efficacy are generally high. Since I accomplished similar goals in the past I felt it could be done again. My attitudes, subjective norms, and my perceived control indicate I had the behavioral intention to make the change to run more frequently. To increase the efficacy of my behavioral plan I came up with three specific goals to help me keep up with my intentions. First, I designated specific times on Tuesday, Thursd... ... middle of paper ... ...ange or doesn’t evaluate that change as attainable, there is no behavioral intent and ultimately no change in behavior. This idea lends itself to other situations such as mandatory attendance to rehabilitation programs wherein people almost never recover because they don’t want to change. In this light motivation is one of the most influential factors of creating lifestyle transformation. Cognitive change and motivation applies to my life in how I interact with friends and family making their own lifestyle choices. Making sure people I know are aware why they’re making changes and of the benefits that come from changes will definitely help them in the long run. Explaining exactly why attitudes about self-efficacy and normative beliefs, such as in the Theory of Planned Behavior model, provide a clear way to illustrate the importance of cognition in lifestyle change.

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