Obesity is a major issue in the United States, trucking has been one of the largest issues under that category. We are laughed at for education, appearance, and the biggest is our sizes. I’m not saying we all need to toothpicks, but there has to be something for that 5’6 400lbs individual struggling to climb out of that truck. Restaurants and lack of exercise being a huge factor.
Truck stops are courteous enough to have food options within their facility. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Carl’s Jr, every single major chain you could possibly imagine, we need healthier food options. At least TA and Petro primarily have their Country Pride or Iron Skillet, Pilot/Flying J have their hit and miss of a Denny’s and Loves rarely have any healthy options for foods. Looking at our Hours of Service, that also plays a big role, not actually having the time to sit back and relax, we must go go go go, that clock is running, your health isn’t as important as running your clock out as quick as possible. Sounds pretty idiotic don’t it? Personally, I say screw that clock, healthy meal is worth that extra 15-20 minutes of a half hour break.
We need better options out here on the road. Where are these good ol’ home cooking Mom and Pop shops that all the old timers are bragging about? Forced out of business because of the mega chain truck stops as mentioned above. I know I’ve done it myself, cruising along, not checking out Trucker Path until it’s too late or needing a fuel point or mileage reference, and see a no-name truck stop on the side of the highway with a big “Restaurant” sign on the rooftop, early afternoon, and that place is jam packed, that is a place you might like to stop to go eat, or else get on that radio that you have in your truck and look for that Freightliner Classic or Pete 379 yell out at them on it and try and find a decent place with good parking and a damn good meal.
When has the last time you have taken the time, get out of your truck, and start walking laps around the parking lot? In 3 years and rarely going home, I have seen enough I have enough fingers and don’t need to count my toes, but, I will admit that I am guilty of not practicing what I am saying, but I pull flatbed and climb my trailer enough to tarp my load. What you will see is “Two-Ton Tommy” over there waddle himself inside, come back and be sweating from neck to waistband with two bags of them fatty cakes from the fast food joint and a large diet coke. I’m not saying we need gym memberships, that would be impractical, no OTR truck would fit inside of one of them parking lots without thousands of dollars of damage coming out. You’d be amazed at what just the slightest bit of exercise could do, simply walking around the parking area, try and work up a small sweat, grabbing an uber, or my personal favorite, Lyft, going to a local sporting goods store, purchase a small set of lightweight and compact resistance bands and 10lbs of ankle weights, easy to conceal if you are “ashamed” of working on bettering yourself for your own health benefits. Cut back on them sugary carbonated beverages, go for the water or Gatorade just a few more door down, usually pretty, colorful, plastic bottles.
I’m not here to put a gun to one’s head and say you must do this. I am just here to see what we can do to help improve our health, a little exercise and dietary change can go a long way. Here is my challenge to you, get a note book and pen, track your number of laps around a parking lot after you’ve shut down for the night, or how many paces back and forth in front of the trucks at the dock, count how many docks there are in that row, and keep a tally. Most truck stops have a scale in the restrooms or right outside of it, for a whopping quarter, every couple of days, you can track your progress. Rather than reaching for that roller dog in the deli section, go for that fruit cup instead, or that liter of Mountain Dew, go grab that liter of Aquafina instead, just hinder this warning, slowly cut back on the caffeine, too much too fast will create a headache that no medicine will ever be able to fix. Go get yourself some resistance bands for the truck, throw them into your closet with your cloths, even 15 minutes a day, you can have a greater impact on your personal health over getting out of that driver’s seat and going to pass out immediately. I know after a long day of driving or bumping multiple docks, you don’t want to do much but sleep. Trust me, it is worth them extra 45 minutes to wind down during your mandatory 10-hour break, and maybe, just maybe, we will be able to get Mr. “Two-Ton Tommy” back down to a respectable, healthier weight.
Guest Writer: Joe Kallenbach
Joe Kallenbach grew up small town in Washington. Farming community, just your average blue collar. Been driving truck for only 3 years, roughly 400,000 safe miles. Require three states to have what many in their 60’s and 70’s don’t have. But you know, I wouldn’t change this lifestyle for anything. So, I just hope that I am able to put pen to paper on ways that our industry can help itself. My focus is the transportation and logistics industry of this great land, but there are times that I’ll get off track and venture off into different areas.
