If you want to be successful in any aspect of life — including weight loss — goal-setting is crucial. Well-planned goals will help you convert your intentions into action. Goals also give you vision for the long-term while providing you with motivation in the short-term. Finally, goals help you prioritize and organize your life according to what you want to achieve.

But not every goal is helpful or even healthy. An unrealistic or overly aggressive goal could undermine your efforts to lose weight, keep it off and enjoy your new lifestyle.

There are two types of goals: process goals and outcome goals. A process goal is focused on the process of achieving your outcome goal — the steps and actions you must take to get there. In weight loss, a process goal might look something like this: Exercise for 45 minutes, five days a week, including two days of strength training and three days of cardio. In short, process goals (sometimes called performance goals) are the building blocks of your desired achievement.

On the other hand, an outcome goal is focused exclusively on results. While outcome goals are useful, their objectives are often impacted by factors beyond your control. Consider this outcome goal: Lose 60 pounds in six months. It may seem achievable — until you hit a roadblock such as a sudden illness or an injury that prevents you from taking all necessary steps and actions to achieve that goal.

When we set outcome goals without setting process goals, we risk becoming obsessed with the results and forgetting the daily discipline and good habits needed to get us there. Consequently, our initial motivation can be the very thing that discourages us. By setting a goal to lose a specific amount of weight, you are subconsciously telling yourself that happiness cannot be achieved until your goal has been reached.

The best weight-loss goals aren’t focused on the outcome. They are focused on the process by which you achieve weight loss. Set goals to develop a healthy lifestyle — one that will continue long after the weight comes off.

It’s also important to set goals that are S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and trackable. These S.M.A.R.T. goals can help you lose weight, improve your health and experience success at every step of your weight-loss journey.

Work with your Nobilis Health weight-loss doctor to develop goals that are realistic for your body and can help you stay on track and keep you motivated.