Many people ask me for advice on staying focused during a period of weight loss.

The answer is a BHAG!

I can’t remember where I first heard the term.  But, a “BHAG” is short for a BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL.

It’s a goal that seems impossible when you make it.  In the case of weight loss, it should be something that’s achievable for most healthy individuals to accomplish… but seems out of reach for you at the current moment.

Let me give you an example…

If you know that a 10K race is coming up in the next 3 months (they always have a variety of these going on during the summer months), go ahead and sign up for it.

If you have trouble running or jogging, there are plenty of 10K races that allow walking (most of the do, actually).

That 10K race will be your BHAG.

When you do this, an amazing thing happens:  You stop focusing so much about “weight loss” and start focusing more on preparing for the race.

Next, simply map out your training program.

It’s important to keep it simple.

If you have 12 weeks to train… it’s easy to push yourself further every week without overdoing it.  If you have less time to prepare you may want to push yourself harder each week.

For example, the first week’s goal might be to walk a half mile.  The next week’s goal might be an entire mile.  The next week would be 1.5 miles… and so on.  Each week you would tack on another half mile until you are walking 6 miles (10K).

The point is that you are working toward something bigger than you would have worked toward under normal circumstances.

But, do you want to know the best part?

Goals such as these tend to focus more on fitness and less on weight loss.

Although short periods of dramatic weight loss can be okay and give you a serious boost in confidence (such as our Lose 10 Pounds In 3 Days Program), sometimes focusing only on weight loss for long periods of time can make you feel depressed and deprived.

So, set you BHAG and just go for it.

Want to try a triathlon?  Want to finally hike that mountain?  Want to walk or run a 10K?  Want to go for a full marathon?

Why not?  As long as you take the time to properly prepare your body, anything is possible.