I got to St. Louis Monday .. and the DOT Physical was around 6pm..

I passed everything but the ability to come back up from a squat without grabbing something. He even took me to a Truck - I got in and out of the truck without a hitch... knealt down to check hoses ect between the tractor/trailer .. and he still refuse to pass me...

I left around 8pm .. as i know you don't pass you don't drive.

Though I aim to be a trucker still.. just gonna work on strengthing my legs, back and arms first on the advice of a trucker buddy of mine but so far those i've spoken to said that was alittle "odd" for a dot physical.

appriciate thoughts .. advice..

Cloud

I hate to hear that Cloud, This is one of the reasons that I stress the importance of some form of daily exercise. If you don't use your muscles, they become weak and lethargic.
I suggest that you start strenthening your legs with a light regimen of stretching and cycling(either stationary or by riding a real bike). I don't really know what kind of physical shape you're in now, but at any rate the stretching and cycling will immediatly strenthen your legs with a minimal risk of injury.
Once you are able to do these exercises with reletive ease, I can show you other exercises. Do you have bad knees? Is you weight an issue? Don't worry about passing the DOT physical, with a lite exercise routine in place, 1 month from now you'll easily pass with flying colors. Please respond, I would love to help you.

I am over weight now weigh 224lbs.. used to weigh 285 lbs but its been a slow road - always had a weight problem since puberty ..I am still pushing to loose the weight. I can walk easily around 3 blocks without breaking a sweat or huffing and puffing and that's with hills including.

I'm diabetic so some form of excercise is a must for me - usually walking is what I try to do - weather permitting. I'm Diet - Excercise controlled only

Don't have bad knees - least that i am aware of - they hurt abit when i first went into a squat but other than that i just couldn't stand back up without pushing up or grabbing the desk.

I'm a determined person - i will be a driver.

And I want to increase my grip abiltiy too - how do i do that?
50 weight grip on right hand and 55 weight grip on the left. It needs to be 58 at least.

Cloud

Cloud I have sent you a PM of something that will help build your legs up real nice...and it don't cost much at all.

I have one and use it under my desk all the time.

Check your PM!!

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Cloud, sorry to hear that. I don't remember doing squats on my DOT physical. good plan, keep exercising and strengthing up those legs and back. Cause sooner then later you'll pass that physical. Keep us posted on how it's going.

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Be safe and God Speed,
Reverend Matthew "The Dragon" Koscielski
!!!Proud to be a gear grinder!!!

Faith, Hope, Love. The Greatest is Love 1 Corinthians 13:13

Can anyone tell me what the middle peddle in my truck does, cause i never use it.

The suggestions that that I made as far as the stretching and cycling were petty much accurate. Appears that you've had some muscle hytrophy(shrinking and weakening of the muscles) similar to what happens to a person who is bed ridden for long periods of time but not as severe. I feel that the diabetes is also a contributing factor. Also sounds like your diet has'nt been up to par(like what happens when people only eat one meal a day trying to lose weight) and as a result you've lost alot of muscle.
In your case diet, nutrition and exercise should and will be extremly important factors in determining the state of your overall health. Consider this your wake up call. I get a sense that you know you've got to make some major lifestyle changes. Am I right? If I'm wrong I apologize, but in my heart I feel like I'm right on point with my feelings about your situation. Don't look at failing the DOT physical as a setback, look at it as a blessing and use it as a motivating point as you prepare for a fresh start.
From your info, I saw that you are doing some walking which is good. When you walk, walk as briskly as you can and try to huff and puff and sweat, as thats the point when your metabolism is really working to burn fat and your cardiovasclar system is being strenghtened. If at all possible find a gym near by and join. I'm not saying work yourself to the point of injury but commit to a consistant weekly plan and stick to it. Start out slow and gradualy increase your workload. If you will just commit for 2wks to start, I'm sure that you will see some major changes, just trust me on that one.
Cloud, you know what you need to do and know is the time. You've been putting it off long enough. Remember this about fitness training and exercise, "If you give a little than you get a little out of it, If you give alot than you will get alot out of it".
I'm check this page sometimes twice a day when my busy schedule permits. If you have anymore questions or need help in any way, please feel free to send me a private message. I am a certified personal trainer and trucking business owner/driver. If theres ever anything that I can do to help you, let me know. I would love to continue helping you to reach your fitness goals. Good luck on your journy to better health.

When we feel let down about something....this affects people in different ways....Some never try again and some want to quickly get better to succeed, which brings on sore muscles and strained muscles from trying to rapidly to fix the problem.
Take your time and work it out.

IT's not just our physical bodies that need some improvement thru life, our minds need to be focused on good things to help with the changing process of our bodies.

A good postivie attitude which you seem to have works wonders for a soul!
Don't let this step back get you down.

WE are all here for you and will happily help in any way that we can.

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I appriciate the support Saved what Lil Daddy said onto my microsoft word. and My other half said we'll get me that thing you showed me Cybergal - next week . Ducky - he's a trucker i know from a chat room and he told me to take a couple months and work my legs, back and arms at a gym too. Got alot of support and I do very much appriciate it. I'm 45 yrs old i aim to be driving by the end of the year. Actually before the end of the year ~!L~

Alot has said that just didn't sound right for a physical. Well Rod , he said that was normal but 1 out of a dozen or more ~L~

He said that They're cracking down on the DOT Doctors, but still to make someone do the squat and expect them to be able to hop right back up without holding on to anything - don't sound like something that's done during a physical but either way I aim to be prepared .

Thanks again and thanks Very Much

The one.. the only .. Cloud

Interesting too...
At work, I asked a couple of our new driver's about this and they said the squat was asked for them to do, but nothing was stated from the Doc that they could not hang on to something while getting back up.

YOU have a GREAT Attitude!

I have NO doubt that you will concur this small step backward and gain 20 steps forward from it!

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