ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights strategies practitioners can use to assist their patients in making changes to dietary and physical activity practices. It discusses how to assess women patients’ readiness for change, methods of working with patients who are not ready for change, and strategies to help patients accomplish these changes. The chapter provides a resource list of materials practitioners may refer to for more specific information and one which may be helpful to patients during the process of changing and maintaining their new habits. One of the greatest challenges of lifestyle change is long-term maintenance of the new healthier behavior. In working with patients who are contemplating change, it can be useful to have them think about who in their life will support them in their efforts and who will make things more difficult. Most people benefit from identifying their current patterns prior to making changes in their lifestyle.
