Now you must be thinking that I’ve truly lost my mind – professing that it’s good to be a thin affiliate after nearly a decade of repeatedly extolling the virtues of providing value-added information as the best way to reap huge monetary gains as an affiliate publisher.
OK, I don’t really mean the type of ‘thin affiliate’ that Google defines as being those who “do nothing but act as a commission-earning middleman” and in my humble opinion contribute only junk to the webosphere and make affiliate marketing a dirty word in some circles.
No, I’m talking about the challenge faced by all affiliates who sit for long periods at their desks while searching for great offers, writing blog posts and just going about their daily business.
Excess cargo.
The need for a bigger chair.
In a word — FAT.
Over the past decade I’ve watched as some of my affiliate marketing colleagues… well, let’s just say ‘blossom’, while others publicly blog about their efforts to regain their former svelt selves… kudos to the latter.
Like them, I have had to struggle against weight gain in this occupation and now weigh only 3 pounds more than I did when I started this venture a dozen years ago.
Not perfect, but not bad.
Granted, I’m not exactly ‘buff’ but my weight is appropriate for my height, and more importantly, it’s a ‘healthy’ weight.
Here are 5 tips that help me stay a relatively ‘thin affiliate’ in the best sense of the term.
- Don’t wear slouch pants (sweats) while you work. Put on jeans or other pants with a waist band. If they start to feel tight, you know it’s time to lose a few pounds.
- Avoid eating at your desk. Practice ‘concious eating’ by taking regular meal breaks during the day.
- Never drink alchohol at your desk. One becomes two or three and the next thing you know, you’ve ingested 450 useless calories and can’t think straight to work.
- Get your body moving everyday. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a half-hour run or a 2-hour hike, get your heart rate up. Plan your work around your exercise schedule, not the other way ’round.
- Last of all, regularly remind yourself about the things you love to do — that you won’t be able to do if you gain a lot of weight. For me, that’s hiking, walking, kayaking, and even ziplining (see pic).
So, what motivates you to be a ‘thin affiliate’?
About Rosalind Gardner
I think that’s wonderful advice Ros!
It’s counter intuitive at first, but taking time out to do ‘healthy stuff’ really pays because when you ARE at your computer you feel sharper, make fewer mistakes and make better decisions. Health has to be number one!
Take care,
James
Great post, Rosaline.
It might seem like not such a relevant post at first, but being thin actually increases your productivity and mind clarity like nothing else. I can related because once I was fat, and now I am 70kg and enjoy being a thin affiliate every single day.
Igor
Good for you, Igor! Congratulations!
Ros
I agree, for good measure I’m heading out the door right now for a 12 mile bike ride on the beach. Oh, the joy of living in Florida.
I hope that ride was on a bike path and not on the sand… if the latter, you have quads of steel.
Hi Ros,
Excellent post. Fitness is an ongoing event that everyone must attend. Getting into the habit though helps the mind as well as the body. I’m a student trader as well as new web and blog builder, so a run alway, always puts my head back in shape. Stay safe.
Another idea to think about is the old college study rule: for every hour of work, take a ten minute break. If you use the break to walk, rebound, etc, you’ll be able to stay in shape, keep fit, and have a more productive brain.
That’s a really good tip, Emily. Especially for those who can’t make hours available during their day.
Nice title.
I’ve been running for the past couple months to try and undo the long days behind the desk.
But then 5 days in NYC for Affiliate Summit flips everything. Long days, bad habits, no sleep, etc. Time to get back on the exercise train for a few weeks before CJU.
Hey Shawn,
I love running too, especially when you get to the meditative state. Great for clarity.
Sorry I missed you at ASE, but the month in Alaska and the Yukon is kind of a summertime thing.
See you at the winter event tho… after the challenges of Christmas have been overcome. 
Cheers,
Ros
Great post and reminder. I like to set fitness goals- this year I did a half marathon! But, I like to set goals like because I can get my hands on a schedule that keeps me on track. So, I suppose it’s really the schedule that’s the best part.
Also, if you work from home, think about a standing desk. It’s something I have considered, and have even blogged about.
Be well everyone!
I think the standing desk is an excellent idea, Brandie. It would certainly compel one to work faster at any rate.
Ros,
While I enjoyed your post..the real calories
are in the Affiliate Link you provided. Maybe it’s just me but that is one UGLY weight loss website…at first.
But it gains sales steam as it goes on. By the end it is very compelling.
I’d be interested in why you chose it. Is there something that moved you past the initial dated design. Is the dated design what makes it original?
Regards,
Jim
Too funny. Actually FatLoss4Idiots is probably the most successful weight loss program on the Internet (through Clickbank)… that’s why I picked it.
But good spotting.
Cheers,
Ros
Actually staying thin as an affiliate isn’t all that difficult for most affiliates, because they don’t earn enough to pay the food bill. It’s the *fat cats* like Rosalind who really have to keep on their toes. If getting a little fatter was a consequence of increased success as an affiliate I’m sure most of us could handle that minor discomfort.
Speaking of staying fit and healthy, there is a health and fitness giveaway event launching today – the first of its kind. Normally these bore me, but this one actually has non IM content in it so people might find some useful stuff there. I even contributed something myself: Attract More Health And Fitness Affiliates. I suspect these are the kind of affiliates that tend to be thin and *fat* at the same time. – Stephen Carter
Stephen,
“Fat cat” indeed, Stephen. You’re one to talk.
Ros
I blog about my weight loss/fitness efforts and it helps me. As for what motivates me to be a thin affiliate is travel. I know it’s somewhat silly but I want to be fit so I can feel comfortable on the beach. I’m getting there and it gets easier every year we go to Jamaica LOL
Honestly though I love the energy exercise gives me so it helps me clear my head and I’m able to work better. And of course the health benefits are up there on my list too!
Hi Angie,
WOW! You have done great. I love the animated graphic in your header and what a great way to stay honest with your efforts… by blogging about it. You go girl!
Cheers,
Ros
Way ta go,Ros! For an ol’ geezer like me, moving around is vital. If I sit in front of the screen too long, everything goes numb: mind, body and spirit. I’m a fan of your Roamsters Blog, too. Saw your traveling rig on I-25 once when we lived in Albuquerque.
Hi Ros
That post really hit home. I have spent way too long behind my computer packing on the pounds over the past 6 years. I did try a lot of weight loss programs with no luck untill now. In June I found the only program that worked for me and it worked quickly. In the past 9 weeks I have lost 30 pounds and I have energy to get more exercise. I still have a ways to go but I now help others on their journey.
Great Post – read it while eating my breakfast!
I try and go for a walk after lunch every day – even if its for 20 minutes. When I get back I am ready for an afternoon in front of my computer.
Hi Ros,
Excellent post. Fitness is an ongoing event that everyone must attend
It’s so easy to sit in front of the computer all day and forget that there is a life out there. There is a tendency to snack often, forget to drink as much water as one should and to sit, sit, sit. Thanks for the reminder Ros – we all should make that constant effort to get away from the screen and be active.
You were the FIRST “real deal” advisor re internet marketing I found several months ago. Thank you for all your great direction and down to earth approach to all things Affiliate. In response to your article and link to weight loss, I have in that last 3 months lost 20+ pounds and feel FABULOUS!!! I agree, THIN feels better than ANYTHING tastes…
On to my Q: We are launching several sites and would like to include many mainstream products: Intuit Quickbooks, Staples office supplies,Vista Print, etc… Problem is, we are being denied right and left through CJ. What am I doing wrong and how does a new site break into bonafide product representation? Our sites are only a month or so old. (One toward the construction industry, one on Organic living, one about pets… )
Do I have to let them sit and “age”? I dont want to throw up junk just to populate the site…
Your advise is so appreciated and respected Roz. Thank you for your reply.
Hi Ros,
Thanks for the tips. I use yoga. Before I do anything else in the early a.m., I check ‘within’ while doing some gentle stretches. Through the day I stop and do chair-yoga or other stretching to ensure I am not ‘on’ too long and building tension. If I feel drowsy, I use short stress busting exercises that ‘wake’ me up the way I used to rely on coffee breaks.
I am rather appointment driven, even scheduling when I am doing the internet work, since I also have client telephone sessions. So I use an alarm for visits to my gym three times a week keeping them like appointments. If not, I get too used to my own company. I walk a bit at the end of the day to reward myself after sticking to my schedule.
You might think I am pretty fit for all this but at a certain age it is hard work. So I agree, I feel good that I am within the normal weight range for my height. The part about not working in pants with waist bands is something I probably won’t do. It’s been hot and loose keeps me level headed… And easier to do stretches and pop over to the gym if I’m already “dressed” for it.
Keep sending us such motivating food for thought!
Donna
Had to laugh, while reading this post I looked down and sure enough – wearing sweats and eating. Luckily I do like to exercise, but I am new to affiliate marketing and have really noticed how easy it is to get carried away with what you are working on and forget to get up and move around. Great reminder!
Thanks Rosalind for all the great info on your site and SAH, it has been a excellent guide.
Hi Ros
This is so true, it is too easy to just spend all our time in front of the computer. I make it a point to go to gym at least 3-4 times a week (after a huge fight with myself) but it is important to get moving.
Michelle Jayes
thanks for this blog
Good post Ros, all good suggestions. I read a book recently which I thought was excellent on the topic and it has really changed my thinking. Think Yourself Thin by Debbie Johnson. It talks about how your self-image is really the foundation of the weight issue. Sort of an application of the Law of Attraction to the weight issue, worth a read.
I blog about my weight loss/fitness efforts and it helps me. As for what motivates me to be a thin affiliate is travel. I know it’s somewhat silly but I want to be fit so I can feel comfortable on the beach. I’m getting there and it gets easier every year we go to Jamaica LOL
Honestly though I love the energy exercise gives me so it helps me clear my head and I’m able to work better. And of course the health benefits are up there on my list too!
Click here globolstaff
I blog about my weight loss/fitness efforts and it helps me. As for what motivates me to be a thin affiliate is travel. I know it’s somewhat silly but I want to be fit so I can feel comfortable on the beach. I’m getting there and it gets easier every year we go to Jamaica LOL
Click here globolstaff
Great post! Yea my friend Nicole Dean calls it ‘computer butt’. I’m not happy with my weight gain over the last two years and have decided to do something about it. Maybe I’ll blog about it too, not sure yet. I am loving following Tiffany Dow’s blog where she took a break for 30 days to re-focus her business and focus on losing weight.
I like your tips. #4 & 5 I need to work on most!
Angela
I’d be interested in why you chose it. Is there something that moved you past the initial dated design. Is the dated design what makes it original?