I completed this quiz as part of a challenge I have joined.

I learned that there are five stages of change:
1. Pre-contemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance

According to my results, I am smack in the middle at stage 3 - preparation - and am setting the course for my progress and eventual success in reaching my health and wellness goals.

Actually, I think I've been in this stage for some time. I've already effected several changes including:

1. Establishing a more healthy sleep pattern
2. Taking a more thoughtful approach to my nutrition
3. Instituting a fitness program beginning with Cardio and I've recently added in ST

That's sound so impressive typed out like that. . .it isn't as perfect as it might seem - the only thing I have down pat is the new sleeping pattern.

I AM paying more attention to my nutrition -- eating at home more often, being deliberate with my food choices / serving sizes at restaurants, maintaining my tracker, staying inside my calorie range -- but I'm still quite hit-n-miss with no consistent meal plan in place.

I HAVE instituted a fitness program and made gradual improvements increasing time spent working out and the variety of fitness activities - I even spent 6 weeks with a Fitness Trainer fleshing out a strength training program.

While I'm pleased with my progress, the 'better' I do, the more aware I am of how much more I should and need to be doing.

Reading through this, I think my biggest 'failing' at this time centers around nutrition - I can work it off all I want, if I keep puttin it back on the battle will never end.

I believe the meal plan has to come front & center in my health efforts. I've often thought I should create a generic 30 day plan with inter-changeable meals equaling a day's total calories.

Now, many will say "SparkPeople provides just such a plan". . .however, many of those meals will not fit into our low carb 'diet' and do not include the few food items my hubby may eat freely and/or prefers.

Anyone out there have some good suggestions for low-carb, basic "Mom's Kitchen" recipes? Glad to harvest your brains!

Your Spark Neighbor,
Dolly