Goals should be set before treatment begins. There should be no emphasis on reaching the `ideal weight'. Short-term goals for 6-10 kg loss should be set. These are achievable and do produce changes in risk factors. There are many other goals which could and should be set, including better mobility, lower risk factors, control of metabolic disease (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, hypertension), less medication and increased well-being. Of course, there are often individual goals that a patient desires or needs.