Corey Stokes

Exercise: My Efforts, My Results

”Don’t compare your beginnings to someone else’s middle.” -Jon Acuff-

I remember serving at a Temporary Duty (TDY) location, and being curious of the fitness levels of the men and women around me. I mean, these guys and women were in beast mode while we were there! On one TDY, I asked a my roommate, who always seemed to be working out, to give me some pointers. “All I do is push-ups and situ-ps” he told me. “50 in the morning, 50 during lunch, and 50 before I go to bed”. To me, this guy looked like he spent hours in the gym, possibly bench pressing the entire rack. There was no way all he did was push-up and sit-ups. That was the day that I started my own 30-30-30 routine. I did 3 sets of 30 reps of 3 exercises. I did this routine every morning for the remaining months. By the end of my TDY, the routine was easier to do, however, I did not come remotely close to becoming as ripped as my friend. I continued the routines after my return home, But my body did not change, I wasn’t bulking up. Of course, This discouraged me so, I increased the number of reps and I did the sets more frequently (every hour on the hour). Eventually ended up hurting my shoulder which caused me to stop. The military doctors told me I was doing “too many push-ups.” Through out this several year endeavor to bulk up, I didn’t seem to get as ripped as my friend was.

Hindered by my ability to do exercises that effected my shoulders, I started running more. I would see other runners on the trail who made it look effortless. In my mind, my runs, looked like a struggle. In my ”Corey reality”, their easy stride, made their run seem doable for me. I remember taking a team of Air Force Reserve Training Corp (ROTC) cadets to participate in the Air Force Marathon. I saw a guy who looked to be about 4 times my size crossing the finish line of the 26.1 mile race. This made me believe that I should be able to get up right then and run the entire race, twice. On my very next run, I struggled to finish the first two miles of my run.

In both of these scenario I did just as many others do when they are starting a new endeavor. I looked at what others where doing, and didn’t take into account their training, practice, and all of the other effort that they put in prior to me seeing them. I compared my beginner efforts to their middle results. At every step of the way, because I could not get their results with my efforts, I felt discouraged and didn’t continue with my workouts. I heard Dave Ramsey say, after “30 years of hard work, suddenly I’m an overnight success.” This statement made me rethink how I viewed my results. Here are some of the lessons that I have learned along the way:

Comparing the work I put in to the results of those around me will only serve to discourage me. My wife said something that prompted an “Ah ha” moment in my mind. She told me and our children, “you don’t know what someone else has been through to get where they are.” I’ve learned to judge my results by the efforts that I put in. I now look back and I realize, I am not where I started. I no longer struggling to find time to exercise, it is a big part of my daily life. I, also, able to run further distances and lift heavier weights. All of the work that I’ve done over the months and years of training have gotten me here. I learned to pat myself on the back and be proud at my own efforts and accomplishments.
Workout for the person I am today. One of the tools I use is the Nike Run Club app for my iPhone. During one training run, the coach said, give 100% of the person you are today. It took a while for the statement to sink in, but I am not the person I was when I first started exercising. So his efforts are very different from the efforts that I put into a workout now. I am also not the person I want to be. His efforts will be different from what I can do today. I have learned to remind myself of this every time I workout.
Be careful with sharing. I like to encourage people. Everything I have learned on my journey has helped me get to where I am today and enjoy passing that information along. But sharing my journey can also be the cause of someone else, not seeing my results from their efforts, ending their journey. So I am careful about what I share and who I share with. I am always happy to give encouragement, but will always also encourage anyone to run their own race.

One of the worst feelings in the world is being discouraged becasue I am not getitng the same results as someone else. Every time, it has cause me to give up and not run my own race. Throughout my journey I have read books of ultra marathoners, and studied the workout plans of movie stars that have to bulk up quickly for a movie. I, however, did not start seeing the success that I wanted until I started striving to reach my own goals, running my own race, and applauding my own efforts and my own result.

5 Books You Should Have Read in 2018 but must read in 2019

As we begin to lay the groundwork to ensure all of our goals are accomplished in 2019 there are are a few things that I have been reminded of several times Lately. The first of which is, “you become what you think about” (Earl Nightingale). Not saying that positive thought is all you need to be successful. But the things you think about will be the things that you focus on. Regardless of what it is, the thing that gets the most of your focus, will be what you will achieve in the upcoming year. So, what are you thinking about form 2019?

Every year, people resolve to get fit, spend less and read more. These are among the most popular New Year resolutions. Every year, however, millions of resolution get left behind and go unaccomplished. So for 2019 let’s resolve to have this year be different. I am not typically a person that makes resolutions, however, I did make one this year. For 2019, my resolution simply is not to break the chain. What that means is I will make moves every day to accomplished the goals that I desire to achieve this year.

As in previous years, I have compiled a list of books that will not only help me to achieve my goals but that I will also enjoy reading. My 2019 Reading list will be published shortly, but in the meantime below is a list of several books that I believe should have been on your reading list for 2018. If you haven’t read them they definitely make a good starting point for your 2019 reading list. Each of these books has helped me conclude that achieving a goal does not happen overnight. It takes work and time to be successful.
It doesn’t matter what your resolution is, if you consistently work at its accomplish, you will be successful!

Thomas Corley- Rich habits
The “Rich Habits” are ten principles created through years of researching the daily success habits of his wealthiest clients. These ten simple principles miraculously transform every individual who comes into contact with them. By applying these principles, you are literally walking in the footsteps of the wealthy. In Rich Habits, Tom Corley provides a step by step financial success program that is concise, easy to understand and even easier to apply, regardless of your age, education or income level. In these tough economic times, individuals are struggling financially and desperately looking for help in achieving financial success. Every person seeks prosperity for themselves and their families, and with Rich Habits, the secret to financial success, possessed by only the wealthiest individuals, will be revealed. Join the Rich Habits financial success revolution

Earl Nightingale- The Strangest Secret
Earl Nightingale was America’s key motivational speaker and ‘The Strangest Secret’ was his most successful work. This is a transcript of the unrevised original classic 1956 motivational speech. The text was later revised into a print version which Economist Terry Savage calls ‘…One of the great motivational books of all time.’

Dave Ramsey- The Total Money Makeover
Described as America’s favorite finance coach, what Dave Ramsey teaches works just as well in any currency! In The Total Money Makeover, he reveals, in plain, no-nonsense language, just how many of us can get rid of those soul-destroying debts and still end up with a nice fat retirement or “rainy day” fund. If you want to get yourself on a sound financial footing (and who doesn’t?) just read the book and follow Dave’s advice. It really is that simple! Dave Ramsey would never have acquired the following he has, all across the US of A if his advice wasn’t sound.

Deciding to buy The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition could be the best decision you ever make. Get-rich-quick schemes are ten a penny, not only in America but all over the world. Invariably they are crazy and will never work in the real world, many are downright scams. Well folks: This is not one of them! No Sir, this book is the real McCoy. Just sound, down to earth guidance from a man who knows money and the financial world inside out.
Forget the crazies and the crooks and follow the guy with the knowledge. He’s not promising you a fantasy lifestyle. He’s not promising you’ll be the next Trump, Branson or Jobs. What he is saying is that if you follow the plans and apply the lessons you’ll learn from this book, you will wind up debt-free, comfortably well-off and with more than enough for you to enjoy your eventual retirement and still leave a nice legacy for the kids.
This is one book that really is worth buying. It’s just a few pounds to join the enlightened. Those who, have read the book and are right now following Dave Ramsey’s advice are getting their finances sorted. It won’t happen overnight, but happen it will!

Thomas Stanley – The Millionaire Next Door

The Millionaire Mind targets a population of millionaires who have accumulated substantial wealth and live in ways that openly demonstrate their affluence. Exploring the ideas, beliefs, and behaviors that enabled these millionaires to build and maintain their fortunes, Dr. Stanley provides a fascinating look at who America’s financial elite are and how they got there.

Darren Hardy- Compound Effect
No gimmicks. No Hyperbole. No Magic Bullet. The Compound Effect is based on the principle that decisions shape your destiny. Little, everyday decisions will either take you to the life you desire or to disaster by default. Darren Hardy, the publisher of Success Magazine, presents The Compound Effect, a distillation of the fundamental principles that have guided the most phenomenal achievements in business, relationships, and beyond. This easy-to-use, step-by-step operating system allows you to multiply your success, chart your progress, and achieve any desire. If you’re serious about living an extraordinary life, use the power of The Compound Effect to create the success you want.

First time tiling a bathroom – My experience

Not knowing how to do something, in my opinion, is never an excuse for it not to be done. This is a lesson that I try to teach my children daily. I had the opportunity to show them how to overcome the obstacle of not knowing while also learning how to retile a bathroom. When we purchased our home a few months ago, the first thing we wanted to do was rip out the carpet and terrible looking linoleum floors and replace them with something that had a more appealing appearance. The problem was, I had no idea where to begin. The first bathroom was a learning opportunity for me. It was also the most difficult of the bathrooms to complete because of all of the angles. So we decided to hire a company to do the job.

Professionally done. — Professionally done

Still keeping the learning opportunity I asked if I could assist with the project. The company agreed and gave me a few discounts for my labor. Retiling a bathroom had never crossed my mind but now, I was curious about the process and wanted to learn. When the first bathroom was complete, the contractor made it look so easy that we decided I would do the next project myself.

Even after working with the contractor, I was still a little apprehensive about diving right in, So, I talked to Lowe’s flooring personnel, as well as a friend who does repair work, trying to get all of my questions answered. I even attended a Home Depot workshop on how to retile a floor. The conditions at Home Depot, however, were perfect. There was no need to cut tiles (although we did cut a few), no need to rip up old tiles, linoleum, or carpet, nor was there a need to put down an underlayment in the workshop. I left the workshop a bit more confident but, I wouldn’t know what to expect until I began to work in an uncontrolled environment, my own bathroom.

Several people told me that “tiling floors are easy”. But in the same breath, they would say that they would “never do it again”. I, however, would not say that it was easy. It was merely less difficult than my mind made it out to be.

Even after attending the workshop I was apprehensive about starting. Instead of continuing to fret about it, I simply got started. My wife looked up different methods for getting the linoleum up. The method I used was the hot iron method. This seemed like the less tedious way to remove the flooring. Other methods described standing over the floor scrapping the adhesive and tiles, as it chipped piece by piece. The iron melted the adhesive and allowed me to peal the linoleum back with relative ease.

After getting the linoleum up, we purchased all of the material we needed. I still had to do a little bit of scraping to ensure that the floor had no protruding nails and was even throughout the room, as well as removing the remaining adhesive. Then I prepared to install the underlayment. This was described as a cement(ish) barrier to keep water from the getting to the underboard. It is supposed to be easy to cut and easier to put in place. I found, though, that this was the hardest part of the entire project. The sales representative told me to get a straight edge and a utility knife to score the board and “simple snap the board to size.” Eventually, I was able to use this method, but only after getting the right tool did this method work for me. I ended up going back to the hardware store to purchase a flooring cutter, which made this part of the job immensely easier. The cuts were far from perfect, but with the right tool, it was easier.

Cutting the tile was not as difficult as I imagined either. After finishing with the underlayment, my next step was to measure and cut the tiles to dry fit them in place. It did take me a little longer than I anticipated but, hey this was my first time cutting tiles. I used a Kobalt Wet saw to cut the tiles to size. It just so happened that the day I decided to cut the tiles was the day it snowed and the water began to freeze on my tiles almost instantly. But getting them inside and wiping them down with a dry rag alleviated this problem.

As I shared my progress I received a lot of support and advice. The one thing that was said was that mixing the thin set was where most people mess up their entire project. While I did have the option to go with the premixed thin set, I decided to mix it myself.

Laying my first few tiles with the thin set, was a bit stressful as I had forgotten the direction that the tiles were supposed to go. But, after I corrected my incorrectly laid tiles, I was able to move forward with little difficulty. 24-hours later, I applied the grout and replaced the toilet. A few days later I applied the sealer and my project was complete.

Looking back on the project, I am glad I decided to do this myself. Not only did it save me quite a few dollars, but I was also able to acquire a skill to add to my repertoire. I don’t think me learning how to retile bathroom, however, had the intended effect on my daughter. After I finished the project she said: “why would I have to learn, when I can call you to do it for me”!