It always seems easier to set goals than to stick to them. Everyone slips now and then, but don't let short-term setbacks distract you from long-term success! You can put a few simple strategies in place to make sure little lapses don't cause serious relapses that keep you from achieving your goals.

Identify Your High-Risk Situations
The first step to staying on track is to be proactive and prepared. Make a list of the situations in which you find it hard to keep from sliding back into your old habits. Under what circumstances do you tend to make less healthy food choices, skip meals, or avoid exercise? Being aware of these triggers is the key to managing them successfully.

Develop Strategies to Prevent Relapses

• For each of your high-risk situations, create at least three coping strategies.
• Visualize yourself getting through a difficult situation staying on track or bouncing back from a relapse.
• Weigh the costs and benefits of possible lapses. Are they worth it?
• Learn from your lapses. This self-knowledge can help you deal with high-risk situations in the future.

Plan for Success - Don't Leave It to Chance
The more persistent you are about achieving your goals, the more successful you'll be. Focus on the rewards of your long-term goal to help you overcome the little obstacles you'll inevitably find along your path. The more strategies you have in place for coping with your high-risk situations, the easier it will be for you to get on track — and stay there.