Dedicated/staying fit questions

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Vilhiem, Nov 22, 2014.

  1. Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    In short, I'm a dedicated driver looking to both get into better shape, and lose some #### weight... (I can pull my own weight, I shouldn't have the truck doing it for me too! :biggrin_2559:)

    Before anyone says dedicated "has it easy," or something similar for this question... You may be right, we might. But I wouldn't be posting in this area if I wasn't new. :biggrin_255:
    But, that's my question. I've looked into some options, but being a company driver (can't make modifications to the truck), a dedicated driver (Most/all of my stops are "at-time" or not-windowed, so my schedule is very set.), and while I don't often stop overnight at truck-stops I'm often times limited to eating, planning the next load, showering and then sleeping.

    I will admit that I've been eating far more truckstop food than I should, but I've recently tried to gravitate towards the healthier items that include lots of protein, fresh veggies/fruit... (Which has increased my energy, but has had a negative impact on weight all the same. I don't expect to drop weight immediately.)

    I'll be happy to give more details about me IF ASKED. Otherwise, I hope this can become a guide (I didn't see one here already.) to any new truckers on how to get/stay/be fit while hauling for what I feel is a rather unappreciative country. (Don't get me started.)

    Primary hauling area: Southeast US
    Company: SNI/jcpenny
    Time experience: almost 3 months (Yeah!)
    Special notes: Lots of nighttime driving.
    Truck: Frieghtliner Columbia (sleeper)

    That all being said, what do you all do? I know some of you may be Mr./Ms. Moneybucks, but not all of us are. ...I'm certainly going to work my way there if it's possible though!

    At the moment, I'm looking for any/all types of advice. I'm already heavy but somewhat fit, but between a family history and fiancee...I have to be better than *just* somewhat fit. :)
     
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  3. Sik_Life

    Sik_Life Medium Load Member

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    Maybe get one of those suspension band based portable systems made by TRX or some other company. A jump rope could be handy and some good walking/running shoes if you want to do some power walking or running. Suspension bands are lightweight and easy to store. I saw a trucker on youtube that carries a 100lb curl bar/weight set. He just gets out of his truck and lifts in the truck stop parking lot wherever he's at. Finding the motivation to keep at it would be the toughest part I imagine.
     
  4. 77smartin

    77smartin Road Train Member

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    I dunno.
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    Get out of the truck and walk...don't come up with excuses why you can't.
     
  5. jlind

    jlind Heavy Load Member

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    I belong to a 24 hr national gym chain that has a key fob for entry at all of their locations, the website lists them and even will map them (when that option is running right but... ) There are quite a few that I can park a 53' trailer at, some I might have to walk a block but that just cuts my time on a treadmill down!! I find ones that work for my routes and try to stick with them whenever possible. Most of them has decent showers too, bring your own towels and stuff but that's ok too... The cost isn't bad, IMHO anyway, around 25-30 a month, I prepay for the year and usually get an extra 2-3 months for free that way.

    I also walk truckstops before or after sleep, depends on how tired I am, I also bought a 12 volt refrigerator and buy healthier foods at Wally world or what ever grocery stores I can find. If you know your run schedule and are going off the major highways most of the time then both these options should be doable, it really only depends on how bad you want it, for me it has become a lifestyle and one I try to follow as often as I can.

    Good luck in your efforts, it is a difficult process to get started but well worth it when you feel better!!
     
    bergy Thanks this.
  6. AppalachianTrucker

    AppalachianTrucker Heavy Load Member

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    The night driving schedule screws up your body's cortisol production, which will make you gain weight. Really the best thing you can do is get on a normal circadian sleep schedule again, which probably means quitting trucking. The other thing you can do is to eat healthy but just eat less of it, or burn more calories in such a way that doing it doesn't interfere with your sleep.

    Reason number 9,999,999 not to drive a truck.
    The long-term ill effects of irregular sleep disturbances are well documented, up to and including triggering mental illness.
    Here's an article:

    http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/502825

    "The first effect of partial sleep loss on circulating levels of pituitary-dependent hormones to be documented under various study conditions is an increase in the early evening levels of the stress hormone cortisol.[SUP][3,6][/SUP] Normally at that time of day, cortisol concentrations are rapidly decreasing to attain minimal levels shortly before habitual bedtime. The rate of decrease of cortisol concentrations in the early evening was approximately 6-fold slower in subjects who had undergone 6 days of sleep restriction than in subjects who were fully rested.[SUP][3][/SUP] Elevations of evening cortisol levels in chronic sleep loss are likely to promote the development of insulin resistance, a risk factor for obesity and diabetes."
     
  7. Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    Hey hey... Nobody is making excuses here. I'm asking how others do it so I don't waste my 10 hour break for nothing. Asking isn't a bad way to start, but it isn't the only thing. Not to mention, there's not a stickied/docked topic anywhere on this that I could find.

    Careful who and why you take jabs at. That being said...some of us have the motivation, and I'd like to think all of us do. But it isn't easy seeing what we have to work with while on the road; I wished that more truck stops had gyms in them. I'm newer so I don't know where to start.


    I've seen that advertized with SNI, we've even got a discount to join them. (I believe the company is called Snap Fitness? http://www.snapfitness.com/rolling-strong) But there's so few locations in my area it doesn't really seem worth the cost.

    I park out as far as I'm able in most truck stops, and even do that when I'm not on the job. It does help some. I actually enjoyed running when I did it, but learning this job has gotten me out of the habit.

    I already have one of those fridges (But I need a better one I think) but the batteries in my rig die so quickly even when I don't have anything else running. So I'd hesitate keeping some perishables in there. (Some truck stops sell fresh fruit/veggies, and while overpriced I always get some when I see it.)

    Couple years ago I lost 50 lbs, gained some back from a previous job and am trying to lose it again. So I know what it's like getting started, but the awesome reward you feel when you've gotten where you want to be! Thanks!

    @Appalachiantrucker : Yeah, that's part of why I'm asking this. My previous job was healthcare based, so I saw and heard many instances of where people's sleep patterns were screwed up and they suffered.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2014
  8. Sik_Life

    Sik_Life Medium Load Member

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  9. 77smartin

    77smartin Road Train Member

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    I dunno.
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    Never said you were...I stated "don't", as in...it's to cold, I'm tired, it's to hot, I can't leave the truck, etc...getting away from the truck helps mentally as well.
     
  10. Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    Then get out of the truck and walk. :biggrin_25522::biggrin_2559:

    I get what you mean now, I did misinterpret it. I used excuses prior to losing 50 lbs, and with this job...it seems excuses will kill you. And in more than one way.

    And thanks for the link, guess I didn't dig deep enough! I'm browsing the topics now.
     
  11. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    You ever see the Sylvester Stallone trucker movie Over The Top?

    You can become the world champion arm wrestler at the same time you are driving.
     
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