Setting the right goal is an important first step. Most people trying to lose weight focus on just that one goal which is weight loss. However, the most productive areas to focus on are the healthy diet and physical activity changes that will lead to long-term weight change.

Positive mindset and realistic goals are important to be successful or failure in weight loss.

A good goal-setting strategy is the S.M.A.R.T goal checklist. Be sure that your weight-loss goals whether a process goal or an outcome goal meet the following criteria:

• Specific. A good goal includes specific details.
For example, a goal to exercise more is not specific, but a goal to walk 30 minutes after work every day is specific.

• Measurable. If you can measure a goal, then you can objectively determine how successful you are at meeting the goal.
For example, a goal of eating healthy is not easily measured, but a goal of eating 1,200 calories a day can be measured.

• Attainable. An attainable goal is one that you have enough time and resources to achieve.
For example, if a particular type of exercise, such as swimming, is physically too difficult for you, then swimming every day would not be an attainable goal.

• Relevant. It is important to set goals that are relevant and meaningful to you. Ask yourself what’s most important to you, and then determine your goals.
For example, “I want to lose weight. My goal is to decrease my calories from sugary beverages and drink more plain water.”

• Time-limited. Pick your goal and set a deadline accordingly. Giving yourself a time limit can motivate you to get started and stay on course.
For example, “I want to lose 5 kilograms in 3 months.”

Planning for change is an important part of achieving a healthy weight. Once you have set a goal, you need to work out how to get there.

Goals for weight loss can focus on outcomes or the process.

An outcome goal is any goal that has the ultimate desired outcome as the target. For example, “I will lose 10 kilograms by the end of this year.” This goal may give you a target, it doesn’t address how you will reach it.

A process goal is a necessary step to achieving a desired outcome. For example, a process goal might be to eat 3 main meals per day without snacking, to exercise 30 minutes a day, or to drink plain water at every meal.

Thus, process goals may be particularly helpful for weight loss because you focus on changing behaviors and habits that are necessary for losing weight.