ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

In the stages-of-change model, which stage best describes a client attending yoga class and walking inconsistently?

1. Contemplation

2. Preparation

3. Action

4. Maintenance

The correct answer is: Preparation

A client attending yoga classes and walking inconsistently fits best into the preparation stage of the stages-of-change model. This stage is characterized by individuals who are intending to take action soon and are starting to make small changes and preparations for their upcoming efforts. They may not have fully committed to consistent exercise but are engaging in some activities as they get ready to make a more significant commitment. In this particular case, attending yoga class indicates that the client is taking initial steps toward becoming more physically active, and walking inconsistently shows that they are dabbling in exercise but have not yet established a consistent routine. This behavior aligns well with the mindset of someone in the preparation stage, who is getting ready for more extensive lifestyle changes but hasn't fully committed to regular exercise. The other stages of change present different behaviors: the contemplation stage involves thinking about change without taking action; the action stage refers to actively engaging in behaviors consistently; and the maintenance stage is about sustaining change over a long period after achieving desired outcomes. Since the client is neither fully committing to exercise nor has established a long-term routine, the preparation stage is indeed the most appropriate description of their current engagement.