i have no experience with your method of mastering lucidity - i used castaneda's (starting by finding my hands) so i don't know how it is - but i'm quite sure that all this relity checks induce sleeo paralysis.

also: in my case, i'm seldom really lucid, and sometimes keep it for very short periods and go back to un-lucid dream - for security reasons: un-lucid dreams are far less dangerous. DCs - present or absent - (like "the old hugg") can't do much to you as long you are not lucid...

look at your dreams and see: are there severe dangers awaiting you? your body knows the answer.
if it's yes - don't try to be more lucid!
but i do recomend you abandom the reality checks.

instead make a very accurate affirmation to say aloud before you go to sleep. "i am a dreamer", (CCs sugestion) "i want to dream fully aware" (my own's) - whatever, put it in positive terms.
do you know the 7 gates of dreaming (cc, "the art of dreaming"?) try those.
good luck.