By Ro Mohamed, MHS, CWWPM
Change is a part of life, and the ability to change is something that comes easily and naturally to most of us. From finding a detour to avoid traffic congestion, to modifying plans because of a sick child, to shifting our posture in a chair, to changing course to avoid a socially awkward encounter, we make change regularly. For the most part, we act easily and adapt quickly.
Lifestyle change, on the other hand, is not as easily modifiable. Over the course of 10, 5 or even 1 year, a small simple choice can become habit and an enjoyable moment could morph into an everyday indulgence. Eventually, indulgent or poor health behaviors become so ingrained in our every day that we barely even notice a shift in lifestyle.
Once behaviors become habits ingrained in lifestyle, it takes a concerted effort to change. Fortunately, there is a science to changing behavior. Here is a simple matrix to (1) foster an understanding of change, (2) track change, and (3) better support those trying to change:
The next time you or someone you know is faced with the challenge and frustrations of modifying an everyday behavior, remember this matrix and refer back to it. Use it as a sort of roadmap to take the mystery out of adopting a healthier lifestyle. It’s not a mystery – you can do it!
Ro Mohamed, MHS
Workplace Wellness, School District of Manatee County @ Manatee Technical College, Bradenton
Ro manages the employee wellness programs for the School District of Manatee County, which influences of a workforce of nearly 7000 employees and more than 9000 insured lives. Manatee Technical College serves as a hub and centralized location for many of the successful employee wellness programs offered by the school district.
Ro received an Honors Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Anthropology from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Education in Health & Environmental Science from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto, and a Master in Health Studies & Health Promotion from the University of Alabama. Certified by the National Wellness Institute as a Certified Worksite Wellness Specialist (CWWS) and Certified Worksite Wellness Program Manager (CWWPM), Ro’s knowledge and skill set supports her ability to effectively shift gears to meet the needs of her audience – from individual behavior change, to comprehensive program design, to organizational culture change.
Ro also serves as a Community and Corporate Wellness Programs Consultant and her work spans across multiple sectors in the fields of community health and chronic disease prevention. Ro has a strong professional background in health promotion, program design and management, group facilitation, and community engagement. Through her work at the local and state level, Ro aims to influence the overall health of communities by addressing several high impact areas and the barriers to them. Those areas are: healthy eating, physical activity, illness prevention, injury prevention, support for breastfeeding, tobacco cessation, drug-free living, and stress management.
MTC offers over 50 career certificate programs. For more information, go to www.ManateeTech.edu.