Let’s face it, when you’re a truck driver and on the road, there is very limited time to work out and limited options to eat healthy. As an over-the-road truck driver, I found myself overweight and not able to keep physically fit. At some point, I decided to get in shape and healthy, as well as begin a lifestyle change that has kept me motivated to this day. I like to consider myself a health and fitness enthusiast.
As the New Year brings about change, it’s a perfect time to set manageable and realistic goals for yourself, especially around diet and exercise. Will there be setbacks in the number of pounds you want to lose? Sure. However, with grit and determination, as well as a positive mindset on it’s not a quick fix but rather a lifestyle change that takes time to see results.
After my own struggles with poor eating habits, weight gain and being physically unfit, here are a few things to think about when taking the step towards a more healthy and productive lifestyle. I believe that other drivers, and even those who aren’t behind-the-wheel, can benefit from these takeaways.
- Do your research and set goals.
Internet searches are the first step in figuring out the body type you are looking to achieve and what foods and exercises will help you reach those goals. Knowing what you want will help you to set those goals. - Not a diet, but a lifestyle choice.
Don’t refer to eating and meal planning as dieting. Rather, call them a lifestyle choice. By making the conscious decision every day to make better choices for your health is one of the first big steps that will soon turn into a habit. It’s good to prep meals ahead of time whenever you can, and also have healthy options available when you’re in a pinch. - Planning is half the battle.
A big part of being an over-the-road driver is time management. On the days that you can work out, incorporate that time into your clock whenever you can. Whether it’s during a break or when you’ve finished securing a load, strive to use all this time productively. If it’s important to you, you will make time for it. - Find a support system.
A main motivator is enlisting friends and/or colleagues that can really push you and each other. This form of encouragement will help everyone strive to be better. The daily challenges you receive from your support system will motivate you to keep going and work harder. - Always strive to keep learning.
You learn every day, and you can never out-do yourself; just like in trucking. It is important to find new ways to reach your goals and work to connect with others who are striving to do the same thing. Of course, there are always going to be obstacles and curves. You just have to find that inner motivation to make it happen.
Author
Bryan Celestine
Truck Driver / Fitness Enthusiast
TMC Transportation
This guest post originally appeared in CVTA’s Get-in-Gear Winter 2018 Edition.