Turn Your Back-on-Track Plan into Reality

If you have noticed a lapse in healthy behaviors since starting the Lark DPP, you may have gone through most of the troubleshooting steps to overcome the lapse. Recent check-ins have gone over common causes of lapses and some possible solutions for overcoming them. Before getting started with your plan, there are a few things you can do to make it more likely to succeed. Making your plan realistic, increasing accountability by sharing your intentions, and setting a start date can all help you get on track.

A Realistic Plan

Now that you have listed some behaviors that you can change to get over the lapse, you have the chance to evaluate them. Are they realistic? That is, are they something you can do, and will you be able to do them for the long term?

In general, going back to what worked originally can be a good strategy. Were you feeling in control and were you making progress towards your goals when you were gung-ho at the beginning of your Lark DPP program? 

Other ways to keep your plan realistic are to take small steps and work on only one or two habits at once. Overly ambitious goals can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, which can lead to giving up or falling short. Examples of small steps include cutting desserts in half, adding a serving of vegetables to dinner, and putting out workout shoes and clothes the night before.

Accountability

The more accountability you have, the more likely you may be to follow through on your intentions. In general, sharing your intentions can increase feelings of accountability. These are some examples of whom to tell.

• Yourself, by saying it out loud and writing it down.
• Lark, by entering your goals in the app.
• Friends and family members, by telling them your intentions and how they can help.

Start Date

A firm start date lets you get ready and also lets you know when it is time to get back on track. The date can be today, tomorrow, or next week, as long as it is comfortable for you and gives you enough time to prepare mentally. If needed, allow yourself enough time to get what you need, such as healthy foods or better workout clothes, to increase chances of success.

Now that you know what to do, and when you will do it, it is time to tell the world and then get started! With enough preparation, you may be pleasantly surprised at how smooth your return to healthy choices may be.