Which stage focuses on sustaining and strengthening changes, and establishing new habits?

• A. Maintenance
• B. Preparation
• C. Contemplation
• D. Action

Answer: (A)

Maintenance is the stage focused on sustaining and strengthening changes and establishing new habits. After you’ve begun the change and put it into practice, the goal becomes keeping it going over the long term, making the new behavior a normal part of daily life. This involves continuing to monitor progress, planning for potential challenges, adjusting your environment to support the habit, and building the confidence that the change will endure. The intent is for the behavior to feel automatic and ingrained, not just a temporary effort. Earlier stages are about considering the change (contemplation), getting ready to change (preparation), or actually implementing the change for now (action).