Responding to classmates 7.1

Each response to a peer should be (at least) approximately 100 words in length and should contribute to the discussion in progress.with ne reference each

JENN

The behavior I chose is overeating, and this one really hits close to home for me. I didnt fully understand how strong food addiction could be until I had bariatric surgery. The first time I was allowed to eat solid food, I had a very small piece of chicken. I took a few bites and started crying because I physically couldnt finish it. That moment made me realize that eating wasnt just about hunger for me, it was emotional, and thats when I realized it was an addiction, I used food for comfort.

In the precontemplation stage, someone may not see overeating as a problem at all. I used to tell myself I just loved food or that stress made me eat more. At this stage, learning how emotional eating affects health and emotions can help someone slowly start thinking differently (DiClemente et al., 2004).

In the contemplation stage, the person starts to realize overeating might be an issue but feels unsure about changing. This is where I was before surgeryknowing something wasnt right but not knowing how to fix it. Motivational interviewing can help by letting people talk through their feelings instead of being pressured to change (Miller & Rollnick, 2002).

During preparation and action, people start making changes, like planning meals or learning new coping skills. Therapy like CBT can help break emotional eating habits. In maintenance, the focus is staying consistent and understanding that setbacks happen and dont mean failure (Prochaska & Norcross, 2001).

This model shows that overeating, like other addictions, takes time, support, and self-awareness to change.

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM), or Stages of Change model, provides a useful framework for understanding how individuals modify addictive behaviors, including behavioral addictions such as excessive online shopping. According to Prochaska and DiClementes model, behavior change unfolds across a series of stages rather than occurring all at once (Gold, 2006; Zimmerman et al., 2000). Using online shopping addiction as the focus, each stage can be illustrated through realistic examples. PreContemplation- In this stage, the individual does not recognize their online shopping as problematic. For example, someone may justify frequent purchases as treating myself or insist that online shopping is harmless entertainment. As Sholl (2011) notes, individuals in this stage often feel resistant or defensive when others express concern. Contemplation- Here, the person begins acknowledging that their behavior may be harmful. An individual might notice increasing credit card debt or feelings of guilt after impulse purchases. They may say, I know I spend too much online, but Im not sure how to stop. This aligns with Zimmerman et al.s (2000) description of ambivalence as the hallmark of this stage. Preparation- The individual intends to take action soon and begins planning small steps. For example, they may set a goal to reduce online shopping or explore budgeting apps. Gold (2006) emphasizes that preparation involves commitment and identifying strategies for change. Action- The person actively modifies their behavior. This could include deleting shopping apps, unsubscribing from promotional emails, or setting spending limits. According to Sholl (2011), this stage requires sustained effort and conscious decisionmaking. Maintenance- In maintenance, the individual works to prevent relapse and solidify new habits. Someone might continue tracking expenses, practice alternative coping strategies (e.g., exercise, social activities), or seek support when urges arise. Zimmerman et al. (2000) highlight that maintenance is an ongoing process rather than a final endpoint.