Final answer:
An individual not considering an exercise program is in the precontemplation stage of behavior change. This stage requires awareness and commitment to change prevailing thinking and behaviors. Cognitive strategies can assist in moving towards a change-ready mindset.
Step-by-step explanation:
Someone that isn't thinking of starting an exercise program is typically considered to be in the precontemplation stage of change. This stage is part of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, which delineates a series of stages individuals go through when altering their behaviors. In the precontemplation stage, individuals do not intend to take action in the foreseeable future, often because they may be unaware of the need for change or they may have unsuccessfully attempted to change in the past.
Recognizing that change requires a significant commitment on their part to alter their thinking and behaviors is crucial for individuals in this stage. It helps to understand that during a highly motivating scenario such as fleeing from a bear, as outlined by Robert Cohen, people focus on the immediate goal rather than analyzing their motivation. This analogy can be applied to the change process, where concentrating on strategy and forward progress may be more productive than dwelling on reasons for past behaviors.
Moreover, cognitive strategies such as rationalizing behavior or adding new cognitions can aid in the transition between the stages of change. To overcome cognitive dissonance and establish a positive mindset, one might adopt affirmations such as "I am becoming stronger and healthier," which exemplify the type of thought patterns that can encourage progression to the subsequent stage, contemplation, where the individual starts to consider the possibility of change.