Behaviour change is a relatively new school of thought, which is sometimes called behavioural science. It works from a more realistic understanding of what exactly makes people tick. We all know that the decisions which people make are not often the result of a rational calculation. However, this irrationality is in itself quite obvious. Luckily we have an expanding understanding of the rules of thumb which govern behaviour. This can help us design exercises and training programmes which encourage people to keep on towards their fit and healthy life.
The science of behaviour change is also about moving from telling people what to do to assisting them to actually do it. This is a bit like what a personal trainer does – he will instruct his client about HOW to exercise and will help them to accomplish this goal. It uses communication and thinking about the whole range of ways that we might change the environment that influences how people behave.
The Link Between Behaviour Change And Exercise
Physical inactivity levels are rising worldwide. In response to this, public health investigators have sought to design as well as implement effective interventions in order to raise levels of physical activity in populations, communities and individuals.
The occurrence of non-communicable diseases – such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, depression and cardiovascular diseases – in adults is high. Most scarily, the figures are rising. These diseases are often ascribed to unhealthy lifestyles. Increasing physical activity, as well as reducing sedentary behaviour, are key to reduce the burden of these diseases.
What usually happens is that the exercise programmes which are designed to reduce sedentary behaviour are built around theories of behaviour change in which notions of motivation and incentivisation loom large.
Motivation To Exercise
The term ‘motivation’ can be defined in very simple terms: what drives us to maintain or reach goals. You could even say it is a type of desire. When you look at it in this way, things tend to change a bit – at least for a lot of us. Yes, you should be exercising. In fact, you need to exercise and you want to want to exercise, however do you have a desire for exercise? For some individuals, maybe—they like how it feels when they exercise.
However, for many of us, exercise is often thought of as having one end goal such as assisting you to lose weight, look better, become stronger, feel better, be healthy and stave off diabetes.
That’s a little different as opposed to wanting to exercise, which is why so many of us encounter that brick wall. We define goals, we make plans and we possibly even stick with those plans for a while. However, then we may find that motivation fading and wonder what we’re doing wrong. The science of behaviour change can help us to keep that motivation going. Rather than letting that motivation fade away, think about what it is you really want for yourself beyond weight loss and looking good. People who exercise in order look for reasons to do it as they know that regularly exercising makes life better. Ponder about what would make your life better and you’ll find the motivation to keep moving.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
Do you want to become a fitness professional that has their own brand of motivation, which keeps people coming back for more? If you do then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more here.
