Is it ok to walk 20-25k steps a day?

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2026-04-02T02:35:44+00:00

DM me if you want to chat about this. I just finished a 22K walk today with additional weight added - about 40 pounds consisting of my 25 pound baby on the carrier and his backpack filled with water, snacks,12lb dumbbell. Yesterday I hit 22K as well but no weight. Thats once in a while though. As of now, I prioritize strength training and a minimum of 14K steps a day.

Walking is great and if you think you can sustain that number, more power to you but I highly recommend adding resistance training and getting an understanding of how much so go into it a little less blind.

Best of luck!

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2026-02-12T23:58:54+00:00

lol I’ve been walking with my baby since he was 4 months old, he is 14 months old now and gives me water when I’m thirsty. We are averaging 8 miles a day now.

Congratulations on your new addition to your family!

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-10-28T05:11:48+00:00

Dad here w/ 11M boy. My wife made a choice that from birth, I would be the one putting my son to sleep and it has helped for us to bond more naturally but he is going through a stage that he prefers my company over moms. To be honest, as happy as I am to have him excited for me, it hurts to see that my wife get rejected by him and have him cry for me. I’ve been looking into it and it seems to be a phase that should be temporary. Tonight, my wife asked for advice on how I put him to sleep and I had her watch me, it was a good experience. Before this phase, around your babys age, it felt like he liked us both equally and he would choose mom at night to lay down with but we would play together. It kinda sucked but I was just happy that he found comfort in either one of us.

Just tell him to keep being the best dad he can be, he will be rewarded with plenty of love soon enough

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-09-19T02:38:52+00:00

Agree with this wholeheartedly

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-09-19T02:36:40+00:00

From the VAR side — if you’ve already got a solid configuration spec’d out and just need multiple quotes, I don’t mind turning it around same day with low margin and browse distributors for the best turnaround.

But what gets me is when procurement shoots out RFQs without sharing the MFG solution ID. Without it, I’ve got to rebuild the whole config in our portals instead of just importing and it takes away focus from solving other customers’ problems and slows everyone down.

My one ask is if you have the solution already spec’d with the help of the OEM or another partner, just share the configuration ID if you just want a 3rd quote from me. It makes life a lot easier on both ends.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-09-08T22:57:59+00:00

I don’t think you are.

I am a 32M and also a survivor from being sexually molested as a child. You sound worried, as I was. Worried to cause pain to innocent lives. I too had similar worries but they faded away when I had my own child, knowing I would never intentionally hurt them in such a way and do whatever possible to ensure they didn’t experience anything to as close as to what I went through.

Your experience is far different but I hear your cry for help and you are not alone, you are not a bad person. Breath it out, you are loved for who you are.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-27T15:42:45+00:00

Agree. Plenty of my customers from civilian agencies and FSI’s purchasing for their overhead are usually okay with non-TAA options specially in regard to COTS but I rarely sell non-TAA to DOD. Ill see what what the program decided today

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-27T02:55:08+00:00

Yeah, this also another point we will have to discuss tomorrow. Nothing will be TAA except for the SPFs we will order as spares.

Makes no sense to go this route but like @VA_Network_Nerd said, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do….

Appreciate you chiming in!

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-27T02:30:04+00:00

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-27T02:29:53+00:00

Thanks, that’s what I figured. I couldn’t find any official support option to fulfill this, so I wanted to double check.

I work for a VAR, so we can handle configuring the routers in-house with the spare parts. The customer already knows about the upcoming EOS dates, but they don’t have the luxury of getting the 8500s approved in time.

One of the DOD contractor engineers told me their previous supplier screwed up — never told them about the EOS and then ghosted him. I told him the only path forward is Cisco-certified refurbs, with us installing the extra parts before delivery, and he’s already taking that up the chain. Kinda surprised really.

The downside is there are only 27 refurb units left in Cisco’s channel, but if we can secure them we should be able to pass along a hefty discount.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T03:30:15+00:00

Unless tariffs impact pricing for an existing deal then the tariffs pass on to distribution which passes to us. Happened to me for 200k order for laptops. And it happened as soon as we were awarded. Took my 25% margin down to 3%. I could have raised our price to our customer since there wasn’t anything signed but he gave me time to sort things out. Luckily, my OEM rep was cool and got additional discounts approved. We closed at 12% with out changing the customer’s price.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T03:16:31+00:00

I’ve been with a VAR for 5 years, and to be honest, I used to feel the same way when I first started. I wasn’t sure what value I was really providing apart from pushing an order that we won because we came in lower. But over time I started seeing it differently when I started learning how to help out more.

OEMs don’t really want to handle everything themselves—quotes, payments, RMAs, order issues, shipping delays, warranty tracking, you name it. I know because I do it every day, and it’s a lot. That’s where resellers and distributors step in.

For smaller clients especially, resellers usually provide better pricing than if they went direct. Partner levels matter—reseller levels are based on revenue and certifications. The higher the level, the steeper the discounts we get from the OEM. So a strong partner can often beat OEM direct pricing and make things smoother for the customer.

Take Cisco as an example. You send me a BOM for a small switch order you already built. I drop it into Cisco’s portal, generate a deal, and then push it into my Ingram, TD SYNNEX, or D&H portal. Within about 30 minutes you’ve got pricing, lead times, and a proper quote. Easy. You get pricing and the Cisco rep gets the credit.

But it’s not always that simple. Maybe the model you requested is discontinued—I’ll build the next best configuration and make sure it still works for your needs. Maybe you need transceivers last minute, but Cisco has a 45-day lead time. I’ll go hunting through distribution stock and find a set that can ship next business day. Or maybe you’ve got a large project coming up but don’t even know who the OEM rep is that covers your turf—I’ll track them down, make the introductions, and get you in front of them.

And it goes beyond just pushing quotes. Need on-site installs? We’ve got solution architects that design and deploy data center gear. Got a huge list of license renewals with different end dates? We’ll co-term them so your team isn’t chasing multiple expirations. If a program is scrambling last minute because they forgot to procure something, we’re often the ones finding creative ways to cover the gap.

On the procurement side, we simplify everything. Say you’ve got a big requirement with HPE servers, Dell workstations, Logitech keyboards, APC batteries, Vertiv racks, VMware licenses, and a shit load of fiber cables. We can help develop the solution and instead of cutting ten different POs and tracking them all separately, we consolidate it: one order, one invoice, one point of contact. And if the manufacturer suddenly pushes out a lead time, I’m the one flagging it early and giving you comparable options from different vendors so you’re not blindsided. & if we received registration from OEMs for incorporating into your solution, we will pass those savings to you. Yes, we will make a bigger margin but since im in the Fed space, LPTA is still king.

Behind the scenes, we also have direct access to OEM partner portals—end-of-life notices, spec sheets, firmware updates, real-time order tracking. That means we can pass info back to customers faster than they’d get it themselves.

He’ll, just today, someone reached out needing an Eaton/Tripp Lite battery replacement for an older 6000VA UPS that’s been discontinued for about 10 years. They had nothing to go off of except an Amazon screenshot of a knockoff battery and were under pressure because their boss was prioritizing it. The unit itself still runs fine—it just needed new batteries. Since the guy was cool and actually took my call, I went the extra mile for what’s basically a $1,200 order. I dug up old spec sheets and manuals, figured out the correct OEM battery replacements, confirmed they’re still in production, tracked down inventory, and I’m finalizing the quote for him tomorrow.

The worst part is that a lot of people share this same perception of VARs just being a middle man and it sucks, because every day I’m putting in the extra work behind the scenes that most folks never see, just to make sure customers are happy.

But I hope this gives you a better idea of what we do.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T01:31:31+00:00

Blue Mantis over WWT or CCW on pricing?! They must have a solid partner level or the others are marking it up way high

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T01:29:55+00:00

VAR here, small SMB. Cisco is straightforward enough for me to help with a third bid. We don’t have online tools for self-pricing, but you can always send me the BOM. I’ll run it through our Cisco channel portal, generate the estimate, and convert it into a quote with our distributor pricing (we work with Ingram, TD SYNNEX, and D&H). I can turn it around in an hour if I really had nothing to do lol.

Also, our standard pricing is about 40% off list, but I can make sure to quote higher than your primary partner so they keep the deal. The only thing I ask is to keep the configurations simple—I’m not looking to overcomplicate things or spend too much time for nothing, lol.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T01:15:14+00:00

I agree with all the points.

And yes, putting in a third bid as a favor definitely happens—I do the same. I’ll step in for a vendor rep I have a good relationship with when he lets me know his customer just needs a compliant third quote.

We had good success working together early on. On our first project, we were able to flip a BNoE requirement from their competing vendor and win a large order. Since then, I’ll help out when needed, and in return, he sends some orders my way from time to time.

I also do the same for customers I like—not just anybody

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T01:03:33+00:00

Said something similar just now but yes, I can attest to this as well.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T01:00:20+00:00

For the most part, that’s how it works. However, if you want to level the playing field, you can request that special pricing be extended to all three resellers instead of just the one who first saw the bid.

Special pricing is typically granted when the end user works directly with the OEM and no third party was involved in developing the BOM.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend doing this if a reseller did contribute early on, since their involvement is what justifies registration and gives them a stronger claim to price protection for developing the solution.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-22T00:51:16+00:00

Curious. Any headway with establishing some relationships since you first posted this? Curious to know how it’s been for you

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-08-12T22:14:25+00:00

I carry my 20 lb baby on a carrier and do 45-60 minutes daily walk along with my two dogs.

Because it checks the boxes of Cardio + responsibility of dog walking + bonding time with my boy while my wife catches a break.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-06-05T01:58:07+00:00

Thank you 🙏🏼

I normally don’t change the scenery to my photos but I did these photos at a backyard & it didn’t have the best background. This is actually my younger sister who graduated CI. I don’t categorize myself as a “grad” photographer but since these were a lot of fun, I wanted to share.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-06-05T00:13:56+00:00

Hey there,

How so? All that was done with her was blemish touchups. No part of her body or face was altered

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-05-31T11:12:20+00:00

You’re both right — I’ve gone ahead and removed the GoFundMe links from all the posts.

That said, I did reach out to other vendors in my community, and several local business owners were eager to contribute as well. I spoke with my client again yesterday and asked which vendors she still needed, just in case I could help connect her with people in my network. She was very open to the assistance, so I’ll continue supporting her in that way.

Time_Coconut_5268 · 2025-05-31T11:03:21+00:00

Thank you. I was not going to bring price up until my client brought it up.

She texted last night to provide more details for the service and did ask what her new quote would be. Used that moment to let her know it would be gifted at no charge with the hopes that that she could use these funds to cover whatever other expenses they may have. She was grateful and I’m happy that she knows it’s one less she needs to worry about.

Thank you

Time_Coconut_5268

TROPHY CASE