At what stage do individuals begin to implement their behavior change plans?

The stage at which individuals begin to implement their behavior change plans is the Action stage. During this phase, individuals actively work towards making specific changes in their behavior. This is marked by taking concrete steps towards achieving their goals, such as adopting new habits, altering routines, or modifying their environment to support their desired changes. In this stage, individuals demonstrate their commitment to progress by not only planning but also executing on those plans.

In contrast, the other stages differ significantly in focus and activities. In the Pre-contemplation stage, individuals are not yet considering change; they may be unaware of their need to alter their behavior. The Contemplation stage involves thinking about the possibility of change but not yet taking steps to act on those thoughts. The Maintenance stage occurs after the Action stage, where individuals focus on sustaining the changes they have made and preventing relapse.