Table 6 Barriers to change

Lack of professional support

‘(GP) never mentions it (diet). Maybe he’s given up.’ (M, 61, RoI, G +2.5 (39), D -9 (26)).

‘If you’re going to them you will have to pay for it – my doctor’s 70 euros.’ (M, 54, RoI, G NA (13), D-3 (49)).

Temptations and treats

‘I was just bored, I’ve fallen into sneaking (sweets).’ (M, 61, NI, G0 (0), D+22 (32))

‘I should do these exercises which I find very boring – sometimes I just don’t bother.’ (F, 74, NI, G-3 (9), D-28 (57)).

Unhelpful social contacts

‘I’ve a grandchild, she’ll come over and we’ll have chips, and then we’ll have chocolate....’ (M, 54, RoI, G NA (13), D-3 (49)).

‘I would to get into the early morning swim but the wife isn’t too keen (laughs), on anything with me getting up so early.’ (M, 73, NI, G+18 (3), D-1 (20)).

‘Your mates all used to tease you… they just tormented you… laughed at me with fish in the morning for breakfast.’ (M, 74, NI, G NA (0), D-1 (13)).

‘If I take one cigarette out of my wife’s packet I’m back again, it’s making it harder for me.’ (M, 61, S, G-22, D-7).

‘My daughter, if she’s having a beer or a glass of wine I’ll have a beer. If she wasn’t .... I probably would take less.’ (M, 61, S, G +2.5, D -9).

Personal problems

‘With my breast removed I don’t like to go swimming.’ (F, 74, NI, G-3 (9), D-28 (57)).

‘I would feel embarrassed at not being able to do it myself.’ (M, 56, NI, G0 (0), D+15 (59)).

‘I have arthritis.... I can’t go for a walk, the legs hurt.’ (M, 78, RoI, G NA (15), D-10 (75)).

‘Because I’m a diabetic, it’s more frightening.... my feet are a problem and my sight’s another thing. The heart would be the least of my troubles.’ (F, 77, RoI, G-6 (0), D-5 (36)).

‘We used to go walking almost every day, but the past four months with this building it all fell by the wayside. It’s a nightmare, it’s really destroyed our lifestyle.’ (M, 66, RoI, G+2.5 (39), D-9 (26)).