Fuel for Thought

Overweight, fine

 Whether you drive a cargo van, sprinter, straight truck or tractor trailer, overweight loads are a possibility each time you go to pick up a load. Along with overweight loads can come overweight fines. There are a few ways of dealing with overweight loads once you have been caught at a weigh station. Depending on the state, you can adjust the load, slide one or more axles, or remove the excess weight, if over gross. Some states will give a fine and send you on your way, other states dictate that the excess weight be removed so that you can scale legal before proceeding.

 Then there are drivers who are overweight….fine. If you are happy with your weight, fine, but if you want to shed a few pounds, there are many ways to change some of the habits that lead to those extra pounds.

 You probably didn’t gain it all fast so don’t expect it to come off fast. I see more and more drivers walking laps around truck stop parking lots, exercising near their truck or choosing the parking spot away from the building to do a little more walking. Many truck stops now have gyms or fitness centers for an additional workout.

 There are lots of healthier alternatives available for snacking and meals. Many drivers find snacking while driving reduces boredom, if you like to snack, choose healthy snacks. Not everyone wants to drive around snacking on dried kale chips, I know I don’t, but there are better snacks available than salty, greasy potato chips and high fat candy.

 I hear too many people say the healthier foods are more expensive, but is it really? If you are eating junk food, gaining weight and having to take medications for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pains and many other conditions associated with being overweight, what would happen if you shed a few pounds? Many who have changed a few habits to lose some weight report that many medications were no longer needed. For some, just reducing your sodium intake can lower blood pressure. For some, reducing the saturated fats in their diet have led to lowering their cholesterol. Always ask your doctor BEFORE stopping any medications. If you lose some weight and your doctor takes you off some of your medications, well, you just saved  some money on meds which offsets the higher cost, if any, of eating healthier. Not to mention how much better you will feel. There are many “diets” out there that people use to lose weight. Since each one of us are individuals, I encourage you to find the one that works for you, but since you are also a driver with long hours of sitting each day, I also encourage you to get a little more exercise if you can.

 For those who think it can't be done,I would ask you just to look around and notice how many drivers you see taking a break and walking around getting exercise even in the parking lot next to their truck. Whichever method you choose to lose a few pounds, make the choice and stick to it.

 I am not giving medical advice, I am not a doctor. Always consult your physician before beginning an exercise program or stopping any medication.

 For all the naysayers, Negative Neds and Negative Nellies out there. I do speak from experience. By the way, I found that foods with less sodium usually also had less cholesterol and fat, and foods with less fat had less sodium, funny how those two things go together. You may notice that I am not telling you what to eat, that is for you to decide, just like I did. As I stated earlier, consult your physician before starting an exercise program and/ or stopping any medications.

See you down the road,

Greg

Quit worrying about your health. It will go away.

- Robert Orben