Health and Fitness
- Thread starter Lawrence
- Start date
Deville
Not a Member
I'm home just about every night, so i hot the gym 3 to 5 times a week. I've been working out since I was a teenager, so it's very much a ritual for me. I do it because I have to, my mind set isn't right if I miss more than 2 or 3 days. I feel like I'm starting over. I also enjoy it for the most part. Now that the nice weather is here I will start rollerblading again. I have some exercise equipment in my house but I seldom use it.
I wtach what I eat to a certain extent, but for the most part I eat what I want within reason. No fast food from any tye of burgur joint's. I stay away from certain diner foods. i don't do too much red meat anymore, I can't do the big steak heavy steaks at all. My only vice is Pizza & lot's of it.
When i'm on the road I'll eat alot of turkey a little fruit & lot's of harvest & protein bars. I do enjoy breakfast, but I try to stay away from the bacon & eggs, I'll eat alot of oatmeal & rasin bran.
I wtach what I eat to a certain extent, but for the most part I eat what I want within reason. No fast food from any tye of burgur joint's. I stay away from certain diner foods. i don't do too much red meat anymore, I can't do the big steak heavy steaks at all. My only vice is Pizza & lot's of it.
When i'm on the road I'll eat alot of turkey a little fruit & lot's of harvest & protein bars. I do enjoy breakfast, but I try to stay away from the bacon & eggs, I'll eat alot of oatmeal & rasin bran.
We let our health deteriorate some before we finally decided to get on the ball. We decided last year it was time to take control of our health and stop making excuses.
I have started expanding my network of drivers to include people who have lost a lot of weight and also drivers who spend as much time exercising on the road as possible. Through these people I am now shopping with a better eye towards health. I try to stay with fresh food and to stay away from "white" foods such as sugar and flour.
My goal is to walk/run 1200 miles this year. I am also now trying to learn more about muscle toning and to get into better shape all over.
A group I belong to, The Trucking Solutions Driver Health Council, promoted the 1.5 mile walk at MATS where we had over 100 walkers. To us this was a huge break through and we hope to have over 1000 walkers next year.
There are a few of us drivers using our Nano IPOD and a Nike + to keep track of our miles, calories burned, and pace. This is a fun challenge as we can keep each other motivated as we can see what each other has done on Facebook or through the Nike + web page.
It would be fun to have a walk each morning at the Expo this year!
I have started expanding my network of drivers to include people who have lost a lot of weight and also drivers who spend as much time exercising on the road as possible. Through these people I am now shopping with a better eye towards health. I try to stay with fresh food and to stay away from "white" foods such as sugar and flour.
My goal is to walk/run 1200 miles this year. I am also now trying to learn more about muscle toning and to get into better shape all over.
A group I belong to, The Trucking Solutions Driver Health Council, promoted the 1.5 mile walk at MATS where we had over 100 walkers. To us this was a huge break through and we hope to have over 1000 walkers next year.
There are a few of us drivers using our Nano IPOD and a Nike + to keep track of our miles, calories burned, and pace. This is a fun challenge as we can keep each other motivated as we can see what each other has done on Facebook or through the Nike + web page.
It would be fun to have a walk each morning at the Expo this year!
stamp11127
Seasoned Expediter
I've let my health go since moving to Georgia 10 years ago. I'll blame the sweet tea...and there are quite a few big ol' boys down here!!!
Need to get back on the road since that was the only way I lost weight - thank you north eastern bouncy roads. Great way to kill your appetite.
Need to get back on the road since that was the only way I lost weight - thank you north eastern bouncy roads. Great way to kill your appetite.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Lawrence,
It is a great subject but for a lot of us, and don't get me wrong but it is not the eating, the exercise or other factors that we don't or do do, it is the stress.
I have read a lot from the "experts" who seem to be cashing in on this industry, a lot of them got it really wrong - like a bunch of Dr. Ozs running around telling us what we are doing wrong without getting down to the real issues or understanding this industry. It all seems to be the wrong message promoted about how to stay healthy.
Unfortunelty a lot of us are not the carrier's pet, we are not in a postion to "plan" our day out or work within out parameters but have to work when we can in all kinds of conidtions.
Our bodies are not controllable under certain circumstances, there are factors that we have to struggle with and things we can't control. One such thing has to do directly with weight gain/loss, exercise and a large number of other problems that crop up is stress.
Stress in this business is the norm, not the exception and no one has yet addressed how this effects our weight, our longevity or our sleep in this industry on a professional level, but instead we face more restrictions that causes us more stress and trigger things like sleep apnea. All of which seems is where external forces who seem to want to cash in on things are the mitigating factor involved with a push to get "healthy" form the regulatory point.
As one of my doctors pointed out, the move of DOT into requiring sleep tests, requiring 'DOT certified doctors' and other things seem to be driving us into an area of self-medical dianogstics without an understanding on how to reconginize stress or what to do about handling it which all takes away from consistent medical care in the long run that is really needed for people with certian problems.
Weight loss is another issue, without our ablity to control our hours (no splity sleeper or EU Driver's working for rest - for every 4.5 hours of driving, you must rest for 45 minutes which can be split) where we have to deal with a highly stress work enviorment and eating right may not allow our bodies to adjust to the way it handles stress in a fit way.
It is a great subject but for a lot of us, and don't get me wrong but it is not the eating, the exercise or other factors that we don't or do do, it is the stress.
I have read a lot from the "experts" who seem to be cashing in on this industry, a lot of them got it really wrong - like a bunch of Dr. Ozs running around telling us what we are doing wrong without getting down to the real issues or understanding this industry. It all seems to be the wrong message promoted about how to stay healthy.
Unfortunelty a lot of us are not the carrier's pet, we are not in a postion to "plan" our day out or work within out parameters but have to work when we can in all kinds of conidtions.
Our bodies are not controllable under certain circumstances, there are factors that we have to struggle with and things we can't control. One such thing has to do directly with weight gain/loss, exercise and a large number of other problems that crop up is stress.
Stress in this business is the norm, not the exception and no one has yet addressed how this effects our weight, our longevity or our sleep in this industry on a professional level, but instead we face more restrictions that causes us more stress and trigger things like sleep apnea. All of which seems is where external forces who seem to want to cash in on things are the mitigating factor involved with a push to get "healthy" form the regulatory point.
As one of my doctors pointed out, the move of DOT into requiring sleep tests, requiring 'DOT certified doctors' and other things seem to be driving us into an area of self-medical dianogstics without an understanding on how to reconginize stress or what to do about handling it which all takes away from consistent medical care in the long run that is really needed for people with certian problems.
Weight loss is another issue, without our ablity to control our hours (no splity sleeper or EU Driver's working for rest - for every 4.5 hours of driving, you must rest for 45 minutes which can be split) where we have to deal with a highly stress work enviorment and eating right may not allow our bodies to adjust to the way it handles stress in a fit way.
Greg I have found that to take even 15 minutes out of my day and walk gives me a chance to re group and re focus which then lets me get into a better state.
I do not know how anyone could be a carriers pet and get team loads or solo loads that would allow them to exercise. We can only take advantage of the time we have. We made the choice to get into an industry that is known to be hard on drivers and knowing that it is up to us to create opportunities to get healthier. The industry is not going to change we need to.
I do not know how anyone could be a carriers pet and get team loads or solo loads that would allow them to exercise. We can only take advantage of the time we have. We made the choice to get into an industry that is known to be hard on drivers and knowing that it is up to us to create opportunities to get healthier. The industry is not going to change we need to.
DannyD
Veteran Expediter
I'm more of a spurt type workout person. Work out for awhile, then stop, then start up again, etc. Spring is def. time to start up again.
I have a Bowflex. It's the real old one, basic version. I had wanted to get this in my van. Now I've seen some bands (rubber, not music
) that might work for on the road in lieu of the Bowflex. They strap over a door.
I need to get more aerobic in my workouts. I enjoy riding a bike, don't like running unless it's playing tennis, raquetball or something like that.
As for eating I have what I call a 90/10 rule. I try to eat mostly good things. Occasionally I'll have a burger, candy bar or something & don't feel the least bit guilty about it. At home this is pretty easy to follow. For instance I haven't had a candy bar since (I think) Halloween & no real desire to have one. On the road this is a bit tougher as I find myself going to McDonalds, Wendy's, or BK a fair amount & getting those $1 double cheeseburgers.
I have a Bowflex. It's the real old one, basic version. I had wanted to get this in my van. Now I've seen some bands (rubber, not music
) that might work for on the road in lieu of the Bowflex. They strap over a door. I need to get more aerobic in my workouts. I enjoy riding a bike, don't like running unless it's playing tennis, raquetball or something like that.
As for eating I have what I call a 90/10 rule. I try to eat mostly good things. Occasionally I'll have a burger, candy bar or something & don't feel the least bit guilty about it. At home this is pretty easy to follow. For instance I haven't had a candy bar since (I think) Halloween & no real desire to have one. On the road this is a bit tougher as I find myself going to McDonalds, Wendy's, or BK a fair amount & getting those $1 double cheeseburgers.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Linda,
Yes 15 minutes is a great refresher but nevertheless the overall issue for many of us is the stress of the road.
Like 15 minute nap (if done propely is a great refresher), 15 minutes of activity will do wonders as you know.
As for the carrier's pet, I wasn't addressing specifically towards you or FedEx to be more precise but it is about this industry and carriers who afford cheerleaders more time and prime work opposed to those who are stuck - I'm not one of them but know many.
Now with that said, I am actually glad people are doing more than sitting in their cab or eating that horrible truck stop cr*p they call food. I like to see people be and remain healthy, health is the most important thing in anyone's life however the root causes are not being addressed, only masked by regulations. A few of us, and a lot of doctors seem to agree with this, so it is not the off the wall position that I'm taking but a realistic one.
Yes 15 minutes is a great refresher but nevertheless the overall issue for many of us is the stress of the road.
Like 15 minute nap (if done propely is a great refresher), 15 minutes of activity will do wonders as you know.
As for the carrier's pet, I wasn't addressing specifically towards you or FedEx to be more precise but it is about this industry and carriers who afford cheerleaders more time and prime work opposed to those who are stuck - I'm not one of them but know many.
Now with that said, I am actually glad people are doing more than sitting in their cab or eating that horrible truck stop cr*p they call food. I like to see people be and remain healthy, health is the most important thing in anyone's life however the root causes are not being addressed, only masked by regulations. A few of us, and a lot of doctors seem to agree with this, so it is not the off the wall position that I'm taking but a realistic one.
One of the problems with getting in shape out here on the road for us is the lack of a structured work day and the time to plan an exercise time. We also have not figured out how to make a gym package work for us.
I have been involved with both of these guys on learning to stay healthy on the road through exercise and nutrition. One is a truck driver and one works closely with truck drivers. If you are interested check out both of their sites:
Roadside Medical | Clinics and Labs | Trucker Wellness Centers | Trucker Testing Services Bob Perry has an amazing workout video plus lots of ideas on exercises for the truck.
YouTube - Bob Perry
Joe has spent a lot of time behind the wheel and has came up with a pretty good exercise routine that you can do in the truck:
index
I have been involved with both of these guys on learning to stay healthy on the road through exercise and nutrition. One is a truck driver and one works closely with truck drivers. If you are interested check out both of their sites:
Roadside Medical | Clinics and Labs | Trucker Wellness Centers | Trucker Testing Services Bob Perry has an amazing workout video plus lots of ideas on exercises for the truck.
YouTube - Bob Perry
Joe has spent a lot of time behind the wheel and has came up with a pretty good exercise routine that you can do in the truck:
index
No formal program, but am maintaining health & fitness pretty well, using basic common sense & whatever I can scrounge up to 'exercise' with. [Which is mostly walking the dog, or dancing to music in the drivers' seat, and stretching in the bunk before getting out in the morning.]
I eat pretty healthy, but not obsessively so, avoiding the usual fast food places, making my own meals whenever possible. I'm fortunate to love veggies & salads, and also to be in good health - just renewed my DOT physical, and the Doc said I'm in very good shape. [He didn't add 'for an old lady', but I think he was being diplomatic, lol]
I eat pretty healthy, but not obsessively so, avoiding the usual fast food places, making my own meals whenever possible. I'm fortunate to love veggies & salads, and also to be in good health - just renewed my DOT physical, and the Doc said I'm in very good shape.
[He didn't add 'for an old lady', but I think he was being diplomatic, lol] 
Humble2drive
Expert Expediter
Excuses, Excuses.
Getting exercise and eating healthy is directly related to your ability to make it a priority.
I can only imagine the time it takes to think up and write over 11,000 posts on this forum and untold posts on other forums.
If that much computer activity can be accomplished while working this business then it could easily be replaced by healthy physical activity of some sort if it were a priority.
Sorry Lawrence.
Stress??
Exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress.
We entered expediting to reduce stress and it worked. If an expediter is so stressed out that it is effecting their health than I would suggest making some changes. Maybe another Carrier or another segment of the industry, etc.
You are in charge of your own lifestyle and career choice and if those choices have led to too much stress then it is up to you to change it if you want to. Become a "Carrier's Pet" (whatever that is)if you think that will help.
I have never heard of stress causing sleep apnea. Please educate me on this.
Sorry to rant and rave. I was a personal trainer for years and nothing was accomplished until the individual made it a priority and then the excuses went away.
You sure hit the nail on the head there! I am also addicted to this computer and while Bob is driving I am on the computer. Now though when we are stopped instead of sitting in front of the computer I get out and walk. If we are waiting to be dispatched or the time is good to get a load I stay very close to the truck. If we are waiting to unload or it is early in the morning which I prefer I will go out for a longer walk. The hard decision for me was to put away the computer and get off my butt...
I have found that since I have lost weight my stress level has went down and my energy level has sky rocketed! I believe those two things are keeping me motivated to continue to lose more weight. I know I sure feel better about myself then I did a year ago.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Well What excuse?
I didn't say I couldn't or wasn't I am saying the reasoning behind much of the movement that is being made in the last few years is motivated by money – health is a secondary issue for the driving force behind this.
This goes for the regulations too. It looks like the people who are telling the DOT that there are problems with sleep, BMI and so on are the ones who are fighting for the sleep clinics and weight loss programs. Even some of the drivers who look around and see fat drivers eating at the frick'n buffet stuffing their face are into making it an issue that blankets everyone instead of trying to change the issues we all face.
Eating healthy is also another situation where our work doesn't really allow EVERYONE to eat properly. Instead we are at the mercy of the truck stop and the cr*p food they serve. Making the food on the road isn't for everyone, nor is the storage of food.
11,000 posts, why bring this up?
WTF does that have to do with anything?
Most of what was written was excerpts from an article, so when ever anyone brings up post counts, it takes away from the seriousness of their posts.
NOT SORRY Lawrence. If I can help one person out there try to figure out why they are not losing weight, then my comments are justified.
YES STRESS.
Yes exercise can help reduce stress but for a lot of the population it doesn't mitigate the problems associated with stress, like weight loss. A person with some disease may exercise a lot and not lose the weight, I know of a couple who do a lot of physical activity but they have a hard time with weight loss.
Good for you, glad that happened for you the way you wanted it but you are with a carrier who is somewhat aligned with your goals and it works for you. How many does it not work for?
What's the turnover there and is it all because of the owners/driver's failure or the company's failure?
Not everyone is in charge of their lives as much as they should be or could be, some are faced with obstacles and problems you may never understand while others can't seem to be able to figure out what is wrong and blame themselves which causes more stress and depression. Don't forget with this economical disaster, a lot of the drivers out there are using this work to make ends meet, they have no other choice and feel absolutely trapped.
You will have to read this again, I stand by the comment of favoritism that some carrier show. It seems when ever it is brought up, there is only one group who become defensive.
You a doctor?
Why is it that the doctors I know ALL say there is a connection but you want to be educated?
Go sit on in a conference on sleep disorders like I have, go ask what the correlation is. Ask some of the sleep specialist how sleep, stress and weight problems are all connected and see what they say.
Well I agree with you, nothing it accomplished until the person makes up their mind but that's not what I am saying here.
It seems you may have missed the part that the underlying cause for a lot of the problems has to do with the stress put on the body through the twisted conditions we work in and no one is addressing it on any level. Instead there is a sort of frick'n guilt laid on people for not moving their a**es out of the sleeper or being motivated. It seems reading all these trucking articles in the last year they seem to miss the points that we are in fact individuals and what works for one sometimes will not work for another.
Greg: no one is "at the mercy of the truck stops", ok? If food prep and/or storage is something you can't or won't do on the road, what's to stop you from patronizing a grocery store for prepared food? There are plenty of choices, even for restricted diets. Sure, it costs more, [but nutrition always does], but your health is a priority, right? And illness isn't cheap either....
As for stress: humans have the ability to adapt to deal with challenges such as changing wake/sleep patterns, meals, etc. I agree that some adapt easier than others, and even the most adaptable can go just so far, but the need to adapt to this lifestyle isn't going to change - either you can, or you need to quit.
I quit nursing, because the stress was more than I wanted to handle - we all choose the level of stress we can tolerate.
As for stress: humans have the ability to adapt to deal with challenges such as changing wake/sleep patterns, meals, etc. I agree that some adapt easier than others, and even the most adaptable can go just so far, but the need to adapt to this lifestyle isn't going to change - either you can, or you need to quit.
I quit nursing, because the stress was more than I wanted to handle - we all choose the level of stress we can tolerate.
I have to hand it to you about health and fitness, and even more so about the committment required to achieve what you have achieved.
I have a LOOOONG way to go but I started with the little things. No more buffet food (I find it to be worse than the menu food), I used to say to myself one restaurant or fast food meal a day was OK, I'm changing that to once a week. I used to think I only had time for fast food stuff but by the time you go inside and wait in line I can usually make or cook something in the truck. I am making a renewed commitment to drink more water (I am a Diet Coke addict) and increase my soluable fiber intake.
The walking part, I admit Linda's inspiration has not caught on with me enough to get me out daily, but it is happening a few times a week now.
Doing this for a living has pretty much wiped out the stress in my life (compared to what I used to do) so I really need to take advantage of that and work on my health now...before its too late.
The walking part, I admit Linda's inspiration has not caught on with me enough to get me out daily, but it is happening a few times a week now.
Doing this for a living has pretty much wiped out the stress in my life (compared to what I used to do) so I really need to take advantage of that and work on my health now...before its too late.
Dave I expect you to be out walking with me at the Expo along with many others! Each morning we are going to walk around the perimeter.
Humble2drive
Expert Expediter
You stated that drivers are not able to “plan” the day out, not able to work within parameters, work in all kinds of conditions etc..
These are all valid reasons for the difficulties that drivers face when trying to improve their health and fitness. They can also be used as excuses as well. That is all.
Again. These sound like excuses, but if that word offends you I will refer to them as conditions that can be overcome with the right attitude.
This relates to both priorities and time management.
I was discussing priorities.
If posting to forums is a priority then one will create the time and energy to consistently do it.
If diet and exercise is a priority then one will create the time and energy to consistently do that.
Where did that come from and how is does it relate to this topic?
No idea what you are talking about here or how it relates.
It appears that you do not want your statements questioned.
You seem offended that I requested further information?
You stated that stress “triggers things like sleep apnea”. I would be genuinely interested in hearing the correlation. Now you are stating that there is a “connection” (different from trigger) between the two and that you are basing that on some conversations with doctors you know and a conference that you sat in on.
The causative factors that contribute to sleep apnea have been researched and published by the Mayo Clinic and they are:
1) Excess weight
2) Neck circumference
3) High blood pressure
4) Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
5) Smoking
6) A narrowed airway
7) Being male
8) Being older
9) Family history
Sleep apnea: Risk factors - MayoClinic.com
I believe it is important that the EO readers get accurate information regarding important health issues vs opinion. It is clear that causes 1-5 above are controllable and that is important.
I did not miss the part that it is your opinion.
Many people in many professions work in "twisted conditions". This could include soldiers, firemen, policemen, doctors, nurses, etc. etc.. Some make health a priority and some don't just like truck drivers.