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
Thanks. That’s great advice. I have a question. What’s the best way to get the potato chip crumbs out of the keyboard, canned air, vacuum, or turn it upside down and shake it?
Hi Marie,
Brilliant question indeed. I usually turn it upside down and shake it first, then use canned air for good measure. Great for cigarette ashes too.
Cheers
Ros
‘Fess up, Roz. Smoking is what really keeps the weight off! LOL
This is fantastic advice for anyone into affiliate marketing or any kind of career that requires sitting at a desk or working on a computer for long periods of time. Investing in a few pieces of home gym equipment (which, for a successful affiliate, shouldn’t be too hard) gets rid of motivation problems and excuses. It’s a lot easier to get to the gym when it’s in your basement.
Leslie Sansone has Walk at Home DVD’s she sells on QVC. There’s a free 15 minute video on her website to try it out. My current job is on the phone & computer at home, I can’t leave but I can walk in between calls. It’s fun & she’s really bubbly but not ridiculous. I am going through a multiple sclerosis exacerbation right now. The walk at home is great because no one see’s me so uncoordinated,I tire quickly so I just sit for a few minutes, get back up and finish the walk.