Behavioral Strategies Articles

50 percent of people drop out of an exercise program within 3 months of starting. Yup, that’s right…50 percent. That is a very large number and the reasons why can be mystifying and numerous as anything in life. One way to better understand why people have trouble staying in a regular routine of exercise is to examine the behavioral theories associated with exercise participation.
 

Whenever I conduct fitness assessments I always start out my line of questioning with “what would you like to accomplish with a regular exercise routine?” And the answer is pretty much the same no matter who you are talking to. Most clients in my experience want what everyone else wants. They want to lose weight and look thin. Or they want to get ripped and look cut up. Simply put most people want to change something superficial about their body.

Knowledge is power. Well…maybe. According to an article on “Science Blog,” people are more likely to increase their participation in physical activity due to behavioral versus knowledge based interventions. Over the years most experts suggested that people will increase their physical activity because of gaining more knowledge about the benefits and positive effects of exercise. According to blog contributor, Dr. Vicki Conn, people that discussing the benefits of exercise provide enough motivation for increased participation in physical activity. Dr. Conn is an advocate of discussing behavior changes strategies instead of benefits of exercise. Some behavioral strategies discussed were using feedback, self-monitoring, goal setting and exercise prescription.

How do I look? I’m sure we’ve all heard that question from various people in our lives from our significant others to our friends. Regardless of whom it is, the common denominator is that people are very much aware and concerned about their physical appearance. In the article titled “Are You After the Perfect Body?” by Paige Waehner, she discussed the obsession that people have with their bodies. Initially she discussed the negative self-view that people have about their bodies and how people compare themselves to other or want to have bodies like other people.