The behavior change I pursued included running 3 miles a day three days a week. In this analysis I explore how my perceptions fit with the theory of planned behavior, overview specific methods of change, evaluate pitfalls, social support, and identify potential areas for improvement. I chose the healthy behavior of running 3 miles three times a week because I wanted to decrease my risk of developing cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol, both of which run in my family, lose weight to reduce the risk of obesity later in life, and lower my blood pressure blood. Accomplishing my task seemed simple when I applied my attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms to the theory of planned behavior; initially I had all the necessary aspects to start a lifestyle change. Before starting my regiment I was convinced that regular running led to decreased weight and improved overall health. Health and appropriate body size are both characteristics that I rate as desirable. Subjective cultural norms that highlighted the value of appropriate weight, active lifestyle, and overall health influenced my motivation to meet these standards. In this way beliefs and evaluations of beliefs influenced my motivation to start running. Furthermore, my perception of behavioral control and sense of self-efficacy are generally high. Since I have achieved similar goals in the past, I felt it would be possible to do it again. My attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control indicate that I had the behavioral intention to make the change to execute it more frequently. To increase the effectiveness of my behavior plan I have identified three specific goals to help me keep on track with my intentions. First, I designated specific times Tuesday, Thursday… middle of the paper… change or don't rate that change as attainable, there is no behavioral intent and ultimately no change in behavior. This idea lends itself to other situations such as mandatory attendance at rehabilitation programs where people almost never recover because they don't want to change. In this light, motivation is one of the most influential factors in creating lifestyle transformation. Cognitive change and motivation apply to my life in how I interact with friends and family while making their own life choices. Making sure the people I know are aware of why they are making changes and the benefits of doing so will definitely help them in the long run. Explain exactly why self-efficacy attitudes and normative beliefs, as in the Theory of Planned Behavior model, provide a clear way to illustrate the importance of cognition in lifestyle change.