Robert Stinnett

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Posts Tagged motivation

Who Wants Some Free Stuff?

Aug 21

Posted by Robert Stinnett in My Adventures | View Comments

You can’t beat free, right?  Well then have I got a deal for you!  How would you like to be the owner of three (not 1, not 2, but 3!) orange wristbands to help you “Get Motivated!” In fact, they even say “Get Motivated!” right on them.  Just think how cool you will look – people will be mistaking you for a frat boy or an urban trendsetter!  Wear them to the gym and use it for your own personal motivation tool and make everyone else jealous! 

wrist-bands-1So here’s the scoop.  I ordered 300 of these wristbands for a website I was working on.  As things often happen, the name of the website changed.  Oops!  So now I have 300 wristbands that say “Get Motivated!” plus the name of the website that didn’t quite make it to prime-time, JoinOn.In.

I certainly don’t want to throw these away – and truth be told I wear one everyday because they do look good, and they are a great way to be fashionable and find some motivation at the same time.  I’m not kidding when I say these are high quality either; they are made of 100% silicone and are flexible and durable – not cheap rubber that can often irritate the skin and tear easily.

So how do you get your FREE stuff?  All it takes is an envelope and some stamps (Ok, so for the picky folks out there it will cost you $0.88 in postage – but hey, just think of it this way, you are doing your part to help support the post office and keep Saturday delivery alive!)wrist-bands-2-modeling

So get our those pens and envelopes and send a S.A.S.E. (Self-Address, Stamped Envelope) to:

Robert Stinnett
PO BOX 287
Boonville, MO 65233

For those of you who have never heard of the term S.A.S.E. before, it was popular back in the pre-Internet days when people actually used to have to write away for things!  Simply address your envelope back to you, put a stamp on it, fold it and put it inside another envelope addressed to me above.

Come on guys – I need help getting rid of these things!

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Finding Motivation

Aug 9

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit | View Comments

Working towards a goal, in my case weight loss, can be taxing at times.  There are days (weeks even) when the end goal seems so far away that you wonder why you keep chasing it.  I’ve fallen off the proverbial horse so many times, but each and every time I’ve managed to dust myself off and get right back on it.  After 8 months I’m 65lbs healthier for it, with another 85lbs to go to reach my “goal” weight of 200lbs.  Sometimes it’s the number on the scale that motivates me, and sometimes motivation can come from the unlikeliest of places.

Another hot summer weekend here in Missouri – the type of heat and humidity that makes you want to stay inside with the blinds shut and the AC cranked down real low.  It’s 3pm on a Saturday, and the YMCA closes at 5pm and I’m having a hard time motivating myself to get up, get out and get over there.  I feel good about how much I’ve achieved, yet at the same time on this particular day I just want to dive into a huge bowl of rocky road ice cream.

A lot of us nowadays struggle with motivation.  The average American works more hours than their parents or grandparents did.  We face so much uncertainty about our future and our children’s future that just picking up the paper or turning on the evening news can be a challenge.  After all, the news has turned into nothing more than a mixed bag of celebrity gossip, political mudslinging and the latest tale of how the rich are getting richer while the rest of us wonder how in the world we are ever going to be able to afford to retire.  Walter Cronkite, we could really use you nowadays!

Yet in the middle of all this gloom and doom, gossip and mudslinging, constantly beeping cell phones and days that seem shorter and shorter I have found that the best way to find motivation is by simple tuning out.

Technology is great – it’s also a great way to be lazy and lose track of time.  I have stopped carrying my cell phone with me every time I go from room to room, or outside for a bit, because I really don’t want to be bothered by it.  Nothing is that important it can’t wait 15 or 30 minutes.  Instead of sitting in front of the TV watching non-stop crime shows and the latest incarnation of CSI I have instead turned off the TV, or when I do watch it a bit watch shows that expand my horizon – such as the Science Channel or the History Channel. 

I’ve also made a concentrated effort to form more local friendships.  Sure, it’s great to have thousands of Facebook friends – but it’s also good to have local friends.  The kind you can go out and do something with on the weekend, or maybe just go over and help them work on their car or shoot the breeze with.

I’m guilty, like so many others, of getting caught up in the 24×7, technology driven, non-stop news cycle of a world we live in nowadays that I tended to isolate myself and forget that there really is more to life than surfing the web or watching Youtube videos. 

So what happened yesterday when I was searching for my motivation?  I actually found it by remembering that one of the staff members who work at the YMCA was working that Saturday and I knew she’d know if I was playing hooky – and I enjoy shooting the breeze with her.  So I got up, got dressed and got my ass over there.

When it was all said and done – I left the Y feeling better than I had all day long.  In the end, my personal motivator was people – and the joy that comes from turning off the computer, getting up from the desk and realizing that not all conversations have to take place over txt messaging or Facebook.

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Breaking 300: A Reason to Celebrate

Apr 18

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit | View Comments

About two weeks ago I celebrated a major milestone in my quest to get fit – I finally fell below 300!  As of today (April 18, 2010) I’m sitting at 294.5 – or roughly 50lbs lighter than when I started my journey in late December 2009.  Talk about a motivator – seeing those magical numbers on the scale really gave me a confidence boost!

Looking back so far, I’ve learned a few things – first, you really can enjoy what you eat, just as long as you enjoy it in moderation.  Starting out I told myself I wasn’t getting involved in any fad diet.  I’m always amazed at the amount of money people throw away on the “diet of the moment” thinking that by denying themselves something they are going to be able to take weight off and keep it off.  By watching what I eat I’ve managed to cut the calories and fat without really changing what I eat.  I still enjoy frozen yogurt, the occasional order of french fries (maybe once or twice a month!) and my favorite – baked potatoes.  The big difference between now and then is that I make better decisions instead of eliminating foods altogether.  For example, I love a good baked potato – but I will skip the sour cream and butter and instead sprinkle some olive oil on it and pile on the garlic and chives.  Mmmmm!

Secondly, no matter what you do, you have to get up and get moving.  There is no doubt in my mind at this stage of the game that without regular physical exercise any of this would have been possible.  Sure, there have been plenty of times when I was just wore out or just plain lazy and didn’t want to go to the gym – but I went anyway.  What I found out is that after my 40 minutes or so at the gym I had more energy than ever.  You just have to get motivated to do something – anything!  Sitting Pecan Saladaround watching TV doesn’t count!

It’s not an easy journey – nobody said it would be – but if you have the motivation and desire you can make it an exciting one.  If I could offer anyone advice to get them started it would be this:

  • Put down the processed foods (ready-to-eat meals in a box from the store, fast food burgers and sandwiches, etc.)
  • Get up and get active – even if it means just walking for 30 minutes a day
  • Add strength training to your exercise – lift some weights, you will be surprised how much it boosts your cardio routines!
  • Don’t sweat it when you fall off the wagon or indulge for a day; it’s OK to be bad once in a while as long as you keep moving towards your goal
  • Get creative in the kitchen – you’d be surprised what you can create at home that is far, far better than the fat-laden, calorie-laden meals you will get when you eat out.  Pecan salad anyone?

If I can do it – YOU can do it!

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Top 10 Reasons The Gym Is Less Crowded

Feb 1

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit | View Comments

Well folks, its February and you know what that means – lots of people are giving up on those New Year resolutions to lose weight.  Suddenly all those new faces at the gym start disappearing, and you find the crowds aren’t so bad as they were a mere month ago.  Now, I know you have a strong will, so I know you aren’t one of them that has given up and thrown in the towel after a mere month.  Don’t let me down, I’m counting on you!

So since you and I’ve stuck it out together, let’s take a few moments to poke some fun at those quitters.  That’s right, say it loud and say it proud with me — “Quitter! Quitter!”

 

Top 10 Reasons the Gym is Less Crowded Nowadays

10.  A Baskin Robbins opened up shop right across the street from the gym.  31 flavors!?  One for each day of the month!baskin robbins

9.  People just couldn’t figure out how to get their no-show socks to stop showing at the gym.

8.  “Nudie Night” just wasn’t quite the success the gym owners thought it would be.

gay gym hotties 7.  People got mad when they were told that no, you cannot wear rollerblades on the treadmills.

6.  Turns out that yeah, all the good looking guys at the gym really are gay! (Oh the social events you are going to miss!)

5.  They went 5 times the first week and got upset they weren’t toned up on day 5.  Headed to Baskin Robbins instead.fast food

4.  Got warned numerous times about eating Monster Burgers and fries while using the equipment. 

3.  Didn’t realize that one year membership included months other than those that start with “Jan”.

2.  Turns out that it IS impossible to work out and then pig out.  Who would have thought it?

1.  They broke a sweat and decided it was too much work – they never broke a sweat watching TV, and they weren’t starting now!

 

Photo Credits:  Baskin Robbins by lordog; Crunch Gym Hotties by Walter Parenteau; Fast Food by Christian Cable.

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It only gets easier

Jan 24

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit | View Comments

Here we are, roughly 28 days into my undertaking to turn a new leaf and get fit.  It seems like a short period of time, but in those 28 days I’ve celebrated a birthday (I’m now 36 for those of you keeping score), we’ve entered a new decade and most of all – I’ve found that when you put your mind to doing something, that thing you dreaded the most becomes second nature and the dread turns into, dare I say it, a love affair.

Ok, so maybe I don’t have a love affair going with the gym, but you get my drift.

I commented on Facebook the other day that when I started I was able to run around 3.0mph on a 4% incline.  Today I discovered that I can now maintain a 4mph run at a 6.5% incline – a dramatic improvement.  I also find myself no longer making excuses for being too busy, too tired, too [insert excuse here] for working out.  I find that if I miss a day (other than scheduled days off) I really feel bad about it.  Most of all, I find that going to the gym is something that relaxes me – and is a great way to blow of steam and the stress of everyday life.

If you are reading this chances are you want to lose some weight yourself; I’m willing to bet as well that you are like me – you see this monumental task in front of you and come up with 1,001 excuses about why you can’t do it today, but by golly you will get to it tomorrow!  Funny thing is, tomorrow just never seems to come.

My advice to you is simple – just do it.  Don’t be scared to go to the gym.  For so long I didn’t want to go because I thought I’d be the laughing stock of the whole place.  You know what I discovered?  There was a whole gym full of people just like me.  Sure, there are the gym jocks – but even they flash a smile when they see a “regular” like me walk in nowadays.  You will find that once you get past the first week or two, and become a regular face that your whole attitude is going to change.  Instead of dreading it, you will think of it as “your place” where you can escape from the real world and blow of some steam.  You will start to get to know faces, and you will start to make friends.  Heck, I even ran into an old work colleague from 10 years ago the other day!

I know what helped me a lot, and still does, is to bring along a few podcasts.  Get yourself an iPod or a Zune and load it up with music and podcasts.  I love to listen to Cartalk and Leo Laporte while working out.  Not only does it take your mind off what you are doing, but it lets you focus in on yourself and drown out the world around you.  You don’t even need to get a fancy one, the cheap iPod shuffle works just fine for the gym!

It only gets easier folks – no matter how out of shape you are, no matter what fears you have, just get out there and start doing it and you are going to be amazed at how your attitude changes in just a few short weeks.  Your body will thank you for it!

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Ho-Ho-Ho, This Weight Has Got To Go-Go-Go

Dec 30

Posted by Robert Stinnett in Get Fit | View Comments

It’s that magical time of year again – you know the unofficial holiday that takes place right after Christmas.  I’m talking about weight loss and fitness.  It seems this time ever year, as we prepare to hang up a new calendar, the television ads are non-stop about how everyone should run out and buy a bunch of gear, supplements, diet foods, etc. and take off those pounds.

Now I’ve tried to get in shape many times – but it was always something that got in the way.  Work kept me busy, I was caught up in personal life items, it was raining out, I just didn’t feel like it, etc., etc.  This year however I finally found my motivation – myself.

I thought if I was going to do this I was going to do it right – no New Year’s resolution crap, we all know that doesn’t work.  If you are serious about something why don’t you start on it right now?  So that is what I did.  I started on losing weight and getting into shape right now – today as a matter of fact.

What better way to keep the motivation up but to blog about it?  I’ll throw in some Twittering and Facebook as well just to keep all the social networks busy.  Sorry MySpace users, but you are out of luck – I don’t touch MySpace with a virtual 10 foot pole.

So let’s run through some stats shall we?Robert Stinnett - Before Shot #1

Height:  5’11”

Age:  35 (36 in January)

Weight:  <ugh> 304lbs

Waist Size:  40 (I got serious beer belly and I don’t even drink beer!)

Cover your eyes, because I’ve even attached some pictures for your viewing displeasure.

The first order of business was how to go about doing it.  I’ve tried it on my own many times.  Exercise bike, weight bench, walking the Katy Trail.  Now all of these had some benefit, but they all fell short and eventually the weight just crept back up.  Exercise bike was boring (Hulu was a great distraction, but after a while I found I ran out of things to watch or the episodes weren’t long enough and I was fitting my exercise to the episode length and not doing nowhere near enough), weight bench was too basic and the Katy Trail was great, but when it’s cold, rainy or snowy (about 1/3rd of the year here) it becomes something you can only really do in the warmer months.

Robert Stinnett - Before Shot #2 This time around I signed up for the gym – the YMCA as a matter of fact here in Boonville, MO.  I figure there is no better motivator than a financial one.  If it’s costing me money you better bet I am going to make sure I get my money’s worth and a whole lot more out of it!  I have to admit, here in the Boonville our Y is really well equipped.  I guess we can thank the casino and the tax revenue it generates for that.

Second, I’m enlisting the help of a friend of ours who is studying sports fitness in college up at Central Methodist in Fayette, MO.  I figure when you have an expert available you might as well use them! 

Finally, I’m just saying “NO” to the distractions and “YES” to making it happen.  An hour a day, at least 5 days a week – that is the plan.  Make it happen.

So over the next few months (and perhaps years!) I’ll keep you updated on what I’m doing and what is working for me and what isn’t.  I’m not promising to turn into a super stud (how can you enhance perfection, right?) and I know it won’t happen overnight.  However hopefully along the journey I can pass along what did work and give you some inspiration and motivation to get fit yourself.  After all, if I can do it then what’s your excuse?

Today was day #1 at the gym.  30 minutes @ 3.2mph pace on a 5.5% incline; 100 reps on the ab crunch machine (that was interesting to say the least!) and 125 reps on the machine that, well, can’t remember it’s name but it helps strengthen your back and abs.  The who-zi-dowiger.

And you know what, after all of that sweat and heavy breathing, I actually left feeling pretty darn good!  It turns out that perhaps exercise can be rewarding in many different ways.  Either that or the pain hasn’t caught up with me yet.

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