Mrs. Shields is a 46-year-old obese woman diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. She tells the nurse that she knows she needs to lose weight. She recently visited her local fitness club, obtained a membership and has signed up for their next water aerobics class. According to the Transtheoretical Model of Change, what stage of change is Mrs. Shields in related to her weight loss?
a) Precontemplation
b) Contemplation
c) Preparation
d) Action