STOTAN Updates

Shirts are in!!! I have yet to get a good picture with them yet, but that is very soon. The STOTAN movement is taking somewhat of a back seat as I focus on the Spartanburg Blue Eagles. Hopefully, I'll be getting the Blue Eagles involved in the STOTAN movement.

Personal update. I fell off the gym train for two weeks, but happily to say I am back on track. I have pounded out almost 12 miles the last three days and well on my way to meeting my May 27th goal. My goal is to be down 50 lbs by the end of the Blue Eagle season. I'll keep you posted!

STOTAN Moments

After ordering shirts with my brand new logo, I have been brain storming on how to get things rolling to launching this new company. I am researching more about the origin of the word, and how I want to protray the word in my company.. and how I will define the word with my products. After many hours of thoughts, some passive and some very concentrated...I think I may have it.

STOTAN Moments will be one item in my line of inspirational items. This poster,wallpaper, or video will show athletes and ordinary people captured in what will be known as a STOTAN Moment. Some victorious, other in defeat, but they will encompass what a true qualities of a STOTAN. The first photo that came to mind was this one. An olympic athlete dreams were crushed as he pulled is hamstring during the race. However, although unable to run, he finished the race with his father. Last place or not, this athlete is a STOTAN!

More to come with this, but I thought I would give you a taste of some of my ideas. Hope to post pics of the new shirts when they come in and I am excited to get to see Dana and Tony from I DESIGN YOUR LOGO in them as well.

Brand New Logo

I've had the idea for STOTAN Inspirations in my head for about a year now, but I never really knew how to get started. I must be a very visual person, because once I got my logo back from the guys at I DESIGN YOUR LOGO, I have been off to the races.

I first learned about I DESIGN YOUR LOGO on twitter. The guys (Dana and Tony) are designing a logo for 365 days this year. They began in March charging on the $2 for the first day and only increasing it a $1 a day (I was actually the first logo they created. It was for Dudley Marketing, the shell company to all my businesses.) As you can tell by their website, these guys to amazing work! Companies from all over have used these guys, and each and everyday I am impressed with what they put out there. I have officially found my logo provider for anything that I need in the the future. Check out www.idesignyourlogo.com and buy a day or be like me and buy two!!

More than likely this guys will be hearing from me again and I know that I will receive a quality logo and an unbelievable price!!!

Adversity

After about 4 or 5 weeks of smooth sailing, positive attitudeness towards my workouts, and my diet...I have finally hit a snag. One so-so day at work and I indulged myself in Outback (my previous weekly watering hole and pig out spot.) Not only did I feel bad, but I have since had to fight to workout and to eat right. Before this lapse of mental toughness, my workouts were going great and the weight was falling off and a respectable rate. Luckily the last two days have been much better and I have gotten back into the game.

It reminded me how easy it is to do things when the going is easy. In my head, I didn't really think looking 30lbs by the end of May was going to be easy, but when I knocked off 15 by the end of 5 weeks, I started to feel like it might be. This is the part of discipline that no one likes or relishes but if you push through it, then you'll feel so much better after it is over.

I will finsih out this week strong and I will push through to reach my goals even if my goals push back...On my road to conquering my mind, and body..BE A STOTAN!!

Working the Plan

I've been so slack about updating the Blog. I am still getting my head around this "STOTAN" thing and really waiting to get my logo done as well.

But I do have a little progress to report on my project. While working on developing the STOTAN brand, I felt it was imperative I go through some physical/mental discipline exercise. In three weeks of working out, and two of eating right, I have lost 12 pounds. It isn't coming off quite as fast as I would like, but it is coming off. Looking forward to reaching my goal of 30 pounds before the end of May.

Until next time...I'll be brainstorming...

Vacation Week!!!!

So the weekend totally destroyed my first week of exercise. Mom's chocolate chip cookies, banana nut bread, and others I won't mention. I've decided to keep myself in a bubble until I reach my desired weight and mindset.....

So what is worse than spending the weekend with the parents....vacation week, right? Well so far so good. My workouts are actually going well and I've started my diet. So things are starting off good, but I am probably going to have to get that bubble to keep from getting to tempted once I get back to work.

I am brainstorming what I really want this blog to be about. I think it is for the best that I haven't told anyone about this yet as I get a feel for what I really want to lay down on this blog. I am really trying to get my head around this word STOTAN and what I want the brand to be....any ideas...feel free to comment...HA.

TGIF??

While everyone looks forward to the weekend, someone who just started working out dreads it. Can I really be disciplined enough to work out like planned? Or will I sit on my butt and watch tv like every other weekend? I'll keep you posted.

This week has gone as expected and planned. If I missed a workout in the morning, I was able to make it up that night. Although I didn't start my diet this week, I was able to cut back a good deal on crappy food, yet I did cheat one day. My cardio sessions have gotten a lot better, but I need to push them more towards 30-40 minutes.

I am looking forward to a good weekend with some family and squeezing in my cardio sessions.

For those of those reading...probably no one, I haven't told anyone yet. But to my true stalker fans, don't worry I won't blog about my workouts too long. This will soon turn in to my first draft of my book, and i will highlight and maybe interview STOTANS!!!

Be a STOTAN today!

Day One

I started my ten week plan to lose weight and to get back in shape. I woke up early and was at the gym by 5:35. After a 20 minute cardio session I felt more like a wimp than a STOTAN. I returned to the gym right after work. I put in a solid back and chest workout and added another 10 mins of cardio.

After being disciplined enough to follow the plan on day one, I fell more like a weak lil man, than I do a STOTAN or even just an in shape 30 year old. I also showed a little restraint while eating which is going to be my biggest challenge.

In Search of Balance

While my main goal over the next 10 weeks is to lose weight, get in shape, and have more energy; my real goal is to have a balanced life. To strive to be excellent in all areas of my life. Have a better relationship with my wife, have a better attitude at work, at home, and to push myself out of my comfort zone in all areas of my life. In the past, I've always been able to do one at a time, but then I would let another part of my life suffer. To be considered a true STOTAN, I feel like I have to push my body, soul, and mind to levels that I have never been. My biggest challenge during this 10 week stretch is to improve all areas of my life.

I'll keep you posted....

What is a STOTAN?

I first was introduced to this term while I was in High School. I read a book by Cris Crutcher called, STOTAN. Instead of giving you the synopsis, I suggest you read it. The word STOTAN is a mix between a Stoic and a Spartan. Instead of digging deeper into the word and all it's history (plenty of time for that later), I going to tell you what it means to me, and why I am writing this blog...and more importantly why I am starting this movement.

A STOTAN to me is a well disciplined, focused, mentally tough, over achiever. A STOTAN translates well physically, being a good steward of your body, or being an ass-kicking athlete. But, a STOTAN is more than that. Not all people are athletic or have athletic goals. A STOTAN is someone that has dreams and ambitions yet doesn't allow life, excuses, or naysayers get in his/her way. A STOTAN is one who fights everyday, unrelenting towards his/her goals and dreams.

Why Now?

I am 30 years old, and in span of a few short years, I have let medicrity slip into my life. I am overweight, lazy around the house, and like most people just do what is required at work. I day dream about things that I want, yet don't work for them. I often think of when I worked hard in life and wander out loud, "what has changed?" So I am upping my game. I am gearing up to put that fight back in my life. Putting discipline and work ethic back in your life isn't always fun, so I am keeping track here for your amusement, your entertainment, and hopefully for your inspiration.

What's to Come?

I have several ideas brewing and since this is just the beginning, no need to let all the secrets out. I will tell you that I have plans beyond a blog for this and I hope to included other people and their stories in the journey.

Until then....BE A STOTAN!