AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Which stage involves the long-term integration of new behaviors into one’s lifestyle?

1. Action

2. Pre-contemplation

3. Maintenance

4. Contemplation

The correct answer is: Maintenance

The stage that involves the long-term integration of new behaviors into one’s lifestyle is the maintenance stage. In this phase, individuals have successfully made changes and are focusing on sustaining those changes over time. They work to prevent relapse and ensure that the new behaviors become a habitual part of their daily lives. This stage is crucial for ensuring that the efforts made in earlier stages are solidified and can lead to lasting improvements in health and well-being. To highlight the process, after progressing through the initial stages, including awareness and active change, individuals transition to maintenance when they show commitment to their new behaviors and strategies. This stage can last for months or even years, depending on the complexity of the behavior being maintained. Understanding this helps emphasize the importance of ongoing support and strategies to reinforce healthy behaviors, distinguishing it from stages like action, where changes are still being actively pursued but may not yet be fully ingrained in lifestyle.