Jul 23 2010
How An Index Card Helped Me Lose 30 LBS
Over the past three months, I’ve lost 30 lbs.
Today, an acquaintance mentioned my weight loss and asked, “How did you do it?”
“I did it the old fashioned way,” I said.
“The old fashioned way?” she asked.
“Yep,” I said. “I changed the way I was eating, and I started exercising everyday.”
And while that’s true, I realized this afternoon that it’s not the whole truth.
I was looking through my stack of life-changing index cards. These are cards that I review on a regular basis. I have drawn stick figures on these cards with captions picturing goals that I want to attain.
I got this idea from my friend Pat Hicks. Pat has used this particular practice, plus other practices that he learned from Matt Furey, to become the premier provider of high end reclaimed hardwood floors in Texas. It seems so simple, but it works.
And today, as I was flipping through my cards, one in particular jumped out at me. It showed a very buff looking stick figure with a weight and blood pressure goal as the caption. I had not really thought about the role this particular card has played in my success until today.
When I started using this card, I weighed over 230 lbs. Today I weigh 200 lbs, and my blood pressure is significantly lower. I am well over half way to the weight goal as stated on the card, and I know I will get there.
Here’s my point. You have probably read lots of personal development methods for changing your life. You have probably tried many of these methods, and, sadly enough, you have probably stopped using them before you reached your goal.
The trick is to stay with something until it works. You can’t fail if you don’t quit. If a goal is worth setting, it’s worth doing whatever it takes to change your thinking enough to make it happen.
That’s what the cards do. They help you become your focus. Or as Phil Linklater posted in his response to my last blog entry, “You become what you think about – the most.”
The change is as quick as a thought, but it may need to really sink in deep for you to believe it. That’s what the cards do for me.
So, the next time someone asks me how I’ve lost weight, I’ll explain once again that I’ve changed my eating and exercise regime. But I’ll also have to tell them about that simple little index card and how it helped me change my thinking.
And when you change your thinking, you can change anything.
9 responses so far
Wow! Buzz! Sounds like Amanda Goldston’s Ideal Day Fun Card , too. I have not done that in a long time, and yes, I am going to make a set of cards right away! do you look at your cards every day?? several times a day? how many cards do you have?
I love simple techniques for life improvements! This one sounds great. Will you tell us more?
Hi Buz,
What a great post…and very timely for me!
I’m also embarking on a weight transformation program, and I’m doing it the old fashioned way by changing my eating habits and exercising on a regular basis.
I will definitely borrow your index card idea. As a matter of fact, I stop writing and just finished drawing my stick figure and setting the caption. And, I’ll carry it with me right next to my ever-present goal card.
It’s funny, there’s something “different” about having a picture on the card instead of just the written goal. I made sure to put a big happy face on my stick figure, and it really feels good looking at it. It seems to energize me.
Congratulations on your success with your program, and I’ll let you know how mine turns out.
Thanks again for the tip!
Weldon
Thanks Buzz,
I need this more than you know. I’ve seen all the tricks of the trade…. why not get down to basics and simplicity?
I love it!
On my grocery list: index cards, healthy foods!
Hugs,
KK
Wow Buzz!
Congrats on losing 30 lbs. The idea of index cards to me so much more logical would fit me better than a big vision board that is not concrete to me.
Good luck now and in the future with your goals!
MJ
I really liked this post! I am on a health and fitness kick and I am making changes that will become my new lifestyle. I have lost 17 lbs this month and I am excited to keep up the great progress.
I like the index card idea very much and I will use it. I am curious about the stick figures. I know they are easier to draw but I am thinking to maybe use a glue stick with the index cards and cutting an ideal body shape out of a magazine. I could even attach my head and then put a caption? What do you think? Is that okay… or there is more to the stick figure then I imagine?
Thanks for this great post!
xox
HelenRappy
Thanks for all of the comments. I would imagine that any figure on the card would work…whatever you like. I use stick figures because they are quick and easy. My intent is to look at my cards at least twice a day. Currently I have 8 cards, but I will be making more.
Buz,
Thanks for the tip. I am always trying to find new ways to keep my goals in front of me; a way to keep them fresh. A routine review of index cards is very practical and easy to execute. Simplicity is genius!
Hi Buz,
As I was reading this, I felt like your success was my success… our success! I felt you radiating inspiration because of what you have accomplished. Good job, man!! Thank you for keeping very alive the truth that there are endless possibilities when we just believe and follow the truth in our hearts.
Blessings to you Buz,
Todd
Thanks, everyone for your comments. Interaction is fun!