Where Are You On Your Health Journey?

By Jaime J. Hernandez | Updated June 2025 

Lasting health isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about gaining the right knowledge, building real-life skills, and staying motivated long enough to make those habits stick. 

But before you jump into a new routine, it’s important to understand where you are in terms of readiness to change. In the world of health behavior science, we refer to this as the 5 Stages of Change. Knowing your stage can help you choose the right strategies and avoid burnout or relapse. 

🌀 The 5 Stages of Health Behavior Change 

1. Precontemplation  You're not thinking about change just yet. You may not see a need to change your habits and don’t plan on doing so in the next six months. 

2. Contemplation  You're beginning to seriously consider change. You know your current lifestyle isn’t sustainable, and you’re thinking about improving your health in the near future. 

3. Preparation  You’ve made the decision to change and are planning to take action within the next month. You may already be exploring gyms, meal plans, or scheduling that first workout. 

4. Action  You’ve started making consistent changes and have been doing so for less than six months. This is often the most exciting — and most fragile — stage. Motivation is high, but so is the risk of relapse. I often remind my clients: 

“Today is another chance to do what you didn’t do yesterday.” 

5. Maintenance  You’ve kept your new habits going strong for six months or more. You’re building a new lifestyle — and the longer you stay in this stage, the more likely your changes will stick for good. 

🔍 Which Stage Are You In? 

Just by reading this blog, you’re likely in the Contemplation or Preparation stage — and that’s a powerful place to be. From here, you can start making small but meaningful steps toward your health goals. 

✅ Tips to Keep Moving Forward 

No matter what stage you’re in, here are a few simple ways to build momentum: 

• Reward yourself with healthy, feel-good experiences (a massage, nature walk, or time to relax). 

• Find a cardio buddy to make workouts more fun and accountable. 

• Ask for support from your partner or close friends. 

• Make it enjoyable — add music, fresh air, or new gear to energize your workouts. 

• Use affirmations to boost your mindset and break through internal resistance. 

• Set easy, short-term goals, like walking 1, 2, or 3 miles this week. 

🧬 Support Your Progress From the Inside Out 

To help you stay strong physically and mentally, I also recommend using high-quality supplements that match your goals and stage of change. 

Explore my carefully curated collection from Thorne, one of the most trusted names in science-backed health solutions: 

👉 Visit my Thorne store 

You'll find foundational supplements for energy, stress, recovery, immunity, and more — exactly what I use with clients and in my own daily routine. 

💡 Ready to Personalize Your Health Plan? 

If you'd like a Health and Exercise Prescription™ customized just for you — based on your goals, lifestyle, and stage of change — reach out. Together, we’ll design a plan you can actually stick to. 

Thank you for investing your time and energy into your own well-being. You’re already taking the first step. 

Be well,  Jaime J. Hernandez  Founder, Health and Exercise Prescriptions®  www.healthandexerciseprescriptions.com