Outcome Goals and Process Goals
Having a clear plan with achievable goals throughout a journey can mean the difference between success and failure. Whether implementing an exercise plan, a nutrition plan, or any other type, a clear plan will help you stay focused on what you want to achieve and how you’re going to get there. Goals for weight loss can be focused on the outcome of the process. An outcome goal, which you are hoping to achieve by the end of the plan, could be something like a certain amount of weight you want to lose. Although an outcome goal provides a target, it doesn’t help you consider how you will reach said goal. That is where process goals come in.
A process goal is a step deemed necessary to achieve the outcome goal. If the outcome goal is to lose weight, process goals might include eating a set number of fruits & vegetables daily, spending 30 minutes on the treadmill every day, going to the gym weekly, and much more. Process goals don’t only help with achieving desired goals; they also provide much-needed motivation. It also helps review and reflect on progress and provides a sense of accountability for the plan.
Not all goals are necessarily helpful to the plan. Unrealistic and aggressive goals can undermine your efforts and prevent you from progressing. Following the SMART goal-setting steps outlined below can help create excellent and reasonable goals to help you move closer to your target. However, it’s essential to allow for setbacks. Setbacks are a natural component of instilling new behavior, such as a plan that affects your lifestyle. Creating a plan should include identifying potential setbacks and strategies to overcome them or get back on track.
Creating SMART Goals
To learn more about how setting goals and creating a clear plan helps to achieve success, go to MayoClinic.com:
“A good goal-setting strategy is the SMART 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 plan to exercise more is not specific, but a goal to walk 30 minutes after work every day is specific. You're declaring what you will do, how long you will do it and when you will do it.
● Measurable. If you can measure a goal, then you can objectively determine how successful you are at meeting the goal. A goal of eating better is not easily measured, but a goal of eating 1,200 calories a day can be measured. A goal of riding your bike is not measurable. A goal of riding your bike for 30 minutes three days a week is measurable.
● Attainable. An attainable goal is one that you have enough time and resources to achieve. For example, if your work schedule doesn't allow spending an hour at the gym every day, then it wouldn't be an attainable goal. However, two weekday trips to the gym and two weekend trips might be attainable. If a particular type of exercise, such as running, is physically too difficult for you, then running every day would not be an attainable goal.
● Relevant. It's important to set goals that are relevant and meaningful to you and where you're at in your life right now. Don't set goals that someone else wants you to obtain. Ask yourself what's most important to you, and then determine your goals. Is weight loss a priority for you? If so, ask your doctor to help you determine a daily calorie goal based on your current weight and health.
● Time-limited. Pick your goal and set a deadline accordingly. For example, if you want to lose 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms), circle a finish line on a calendar and strive for that. Giving yourself a time limit can motivate you to get started and stay on course.”
From Weight Loss Goals: Set Yourself Up For Success - Mayo Clinic
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What kind of plan are you trying to implement in your lifestyle? What are some process goals you’ve created to help achieve your goal?
Written by Yellow Brick Road Token
August 25th, 2020