ADAM: LOOK WHAT WE HAVE DONE
This entry was posted on 10/5/2007 4:38 AM and is filed under uncategorized.
DEAR ADAM:
You have apparently forgotten what web site you are posting to. If you had remembered, you would have noticed that the reason this site is here and the reason we five are doing this project, is to show that a driver CAN be fit and healthy on the road. It is to show that a driver CAN get healthy food and CAN find time to exercise.
Did you forget that I am a driver, too? I drive team with my husband and we own our own truck. It sounds like you drive for someone, which I can tell you, is much simpler than owning your own company and running with your own authority. I have all the things to do that you do, plus, I have quarterly federal taxes, quarterly fuel taxes, state taxes, monthly bill payments, and a myriad of other paperwork and things I have to do while on the road. Then, I have the responsibility of working with hundreds of brokers and finding my own loads to transport (and all the paperwork that goes with that). When my truck goes down, I can't just call the company and have them take care of it. It's roll up my sleeves and crawl on top or under (and since my husband is handicap, it really is me who does this).
So you see, we all can whine and complain about our jobs as drivers. However, I was able to drop 83 pounds to date. My A1c (which is a determination of blood sugar) went from a 9.8 (very diabetic) in December 2006 to my most recent test result of 5.5 (better than the average general population). Actually, with a reading of 5.5, I am not even really considered to be diabetic anymore. My blood pressure yesterday was 119/67, which still has some improving to do, but is significantly better than when I started the program.
So, to go on, every driver who is motivated to make change can do it. It IS as simple as that. Almost on a daily basis, I ordered food with special requests. Yes, it can be a hassle sometimes, but most of the larger truck stops can handle the task with very little effort (Petro, TA, Flying J). For the most part, I have had very little difficulty, "getting a veggie omelet". As for not getting the right thing, be very specific, make them write it down as you tell them, and let them know that if it is not done correctly you will send it back.
As for walking and not having 15 minutes to exercise...how can that be? While you are waiting to unload, get out of your truck and walk around it as fast as you can. While you are being loaded is another time I take a few minutes to have some hand weights going (or my exertube on the side of the trailer). Walking in to eat can be another opportunity to walk the long way around the lot to the truck stop door. Over time, all these little changes could have made the difference for you. There is time to exercise if you want to make it!
I am very glad to hear that you are getting better. Are you planning to go back to trucking? My husband had open heart surgery in June 2006 and went back to driving six weeks after his surgery. He has dropped about 67 pounds, his blood pressure is perfect, his sugar is good, and he is able to stay very healthy on the road. His lifestyle has not contributed to any further problems while driving. He gets his exercise in by sitting in the cab and working with weights or sitting on the trailer and moving his body to gain aerobic advantage. I do admit that he does not drive as many hours as he used to and he does not drive at night anymore, but he is 73 years old.
It sounds like you enjoyed driving very much. If you do go back to driving, perhaps you need to drive for a company that would be more concerned about the health of their drivers and encourage fitness on the road. Remember that you are not a robot and your body needs to be taken care of ON A DAILY BASIS. You have to make choices that can both make you happy and give you time to stay healthy. There are companies out there who would be glad to have another driver on their team. Make sure you set YOUR ground rules before you accept the position. Let them know that you stop for an hour and a half during lunch time (45 minutes to eat, 45 minutes to exercise). Let them know that you require 8 hours of sleep on a relatively regular basis and take an extra 45 minutes in the evening to get in another bout of exercise. There are companies out there that would herald your efforts. GOOD LUCK!!
You have apparently forgotten what web site you are posting to. If you had remembered, you would have noticed that the reason this site is here and the reason we five are doing this project, is to show that a driver CAN be fit and healthy on the road. It is to show that a driver CAN get healthy food and CAN find time to exercise.
Did you forget that I am a driver, too? I drive team with my husband and we own our own truck. It sounds like you drive for someone, which I can tell you, is much simpler than owning your own company and running with your own authority. I have all the things to do that you do, plus, I have quarterly federal taxes, quarterly fuel taxes, state taxes, monthly bill payments, and a myriad of other paperwork and things I have to do while on the road. Then, I have the responsibility of working with hundreds of brokers and finding my own loads to transport (and all the paperwork that goes with that). When my truck goes down, I can't just call the company and have them take care of it. It's roll up my sleeves and crawl on top or under (and since my husband is handicap, it really is me who does this).
So you see, we all can whine and complain about our jobs as drivers. However, I was able to drop 83 pounds to date. My A1c (which is a determination of blood sugar) went from a 9.8 (very diabetic) in December 2006 to my most recent test result of 5.5 (better than the average general population). Actually, with a reading of 5.5, I am not even really considered to be diabetic anymore. My blood pressure yesterday was 119/67, which still has some improving to do, but is significantly better than when I started the program.
So, to go on, every driver who is motivated to make change can do it. It IS as simple as that. Almost on a daily basis, I ordered food with special requests. Yes, it can be a hassle sometimes, but most of the larger truck stops can handle the task with very little effort (Petro, TA, Flying J). For the most part, I have had very little difficulty, "getting a veggie omelet". As for not getting the right thing, be very specific, make them write it down as you tell them, and let them know that if it is not done correctly you will send it back.
As for walking and not having 15 minutes to exercise...how can that be? While you are waiting to unload, get out of your truck and walk around it as fast as you can. While you are being loaded is another time I take a few minutes to have some hand weights going (or my exertube on the side of the trailer). Walking in to eat can be another opportunity to walk the long way around the lot to the truck stop door. Over time, all these little changes could have made the difference for you. There is time to exercise if you want to make it!
I am very glad to hear that you are getting better. Are you planning to go back to trucking? My husband had open heart surgery in June 2006 and went back to driving six weeks after his surgery. He has dropped about 67 pounds, his blood pressure is perfect, his sugar is good, and he is able to stay very healthy on the road. His lifestyle has not contributed to any further problems while driving. He gets his exercise in by sitting in the cab and working with weights or sitting on the trailer and moving his body to gain aerobic advantage. I do admit that he does not drive as many hours as he used to and he does not drive at night anymore, but he is 73 years old.
It sounds like you enjoyed driving very much. If you do go back to driving, perhaps you need to drive for a company that would be more concerned about the health of their drivers and encourage fitness on the road. Remember that you are not a robot and your body needs to be taken care of ON A DAILY BASIS. You have to make choices that can both make you happy and give you time to stay healthy. There are companies out there who would be glad to have another driver on their team. Make sure you set YOUR ground rules before you accept the position. Let them know that you stop for an hour and a half during lunch time (45 minutes to eat, 45 minutes to exercise). Let them know that you require 8 hours of sleep on a relatively regular basis and take an extra 45 minutes in the evening to get in another bout of exercise. There are companies out there that would herald your efforts. GOOD LUCK!!