Trucking takes a toll on the body

I’m sure everyone’s noticed the increase of young people who are out of shape. I’ve always had back problems, but was always in decent shape. Last 10 yrs have been a hard adjustment. Can’t do things like I used to. Mind over matter doesn’t work. The body’s wore out. I can’t help but think a lot of the younger generation are headed for trouble at an even earlier age. Advances in medicine keeps us alive longer, what good is it, if the quality of life is gone. One trip to a Nursing home puts it all in perspective for me.

 

The thing that bothers me the most is the constant sitting, which is very bad for your health. That said, I walk lots when I have the time.

 

At 17 years in, my body is doing a good deal of protesting as well. As a stubborn young man, I ignored people who advised me to put my wallet in my front pocket instead of sitting on it. I dehydrated myself to minimize bathroom stops. I ran ridiculous hours. I prioritized speed over posture while I was unloading dollar store freight. I slouched in the seat while I was driving. Now I see a chiropractor every week and a massage therapist at least twice a month. I'm constantly trying out different lumbar pillows in the truck. I've been in physical therapy a couple times. I'm following all of the advice I used to ignore but damage has definitely been done. I never would have believed that holding a steering wheel all day would be so brutal on the body.

 

I never really could understand guys that choose over the road truck driving for their life long career. But if that’s what people choose, I assume it’s becuase they have a passion for it. And if so, you’re not gonna persuade someone not to do it. Personally, I would choose flipping burgers at McDonald’s over that.

 

No offense, but trucking doesn't take a toll on your body as much as being lazy does. Eating junk food and roller dogs for 30 years does. Never getting out of the seat and taking a walk does. Every morning I see drivers e log crawl out of their parking spot just to pull into the fuel island to walk inside. They aren't even getting fuel. My childhood best friend's Dad drove trucks across West Virginia for over 30 years. He's in his 60s and hes still operating equipment for an excavation company, chopping wood for the Winter, going hunting, fishing, camping, the guy is never found just sitting on a couch.

 

walking is key. Park furthest away, if I have time to kill I will go for a long walk also.

 

For 300 or 400 bucks a week? Yeah right. You can't live that way. I understand OTR trucking may not be for you, but nobody on here is choosing a career at McDonald's over OTR trucking, or any type of trucking.

 

Yes, and you have to eat as well as possible. You won't always eat the best, but the bad food has to be in moderation. A driver has to listen to his or her own body, it's ok to take a timeout. One doesn't have to drive 8 hrs til the 30 min break. Take a break every 3 or 4 hrs. Break those runs up and get out to stretch and maneuver.

 

Trucking has been good to me, I'm on my 50th year, driven at least 4 million miles, worked an average of 70 hrs a week. I have had knee issues back and shoulder issues, I just kept driving. Sometimes I thought that there wasn't another mile in it. I swore so many curse words and dirty language that I've pretty much given up on that, except on occasion.
Oh! I have drove some clunkers one of the first ones had a 237 Detroit with 2 - 4 speed sticks. No power steering and light rear ends. That was a tough one to handle, most grades I went into low low. Cars would drive by and call me a ####-sucker. Some 4 wheelers had CB's back then. Other cars drove by and called me Sweet Baby. You get the picture.
After all these yrs, I now can drive any kind of Rig I want to finance. I have made good money. I consider myself very fortunate.
In the Trucking industry it is like real estate for me, In real estate it is Location, Location, Location. In the Trucking industry it is Decision's, Decision's, and Decision's. Making the right Decision's can improve your situation immensely. Indecision is worst than no Decision.
I try and set goals, sometimes I have succeeded other times I have failed, but I always kept trying and trying to do the right thing.
Try not to compromise in this industry, pick the right Rig for the particular job you are doing, try and gear it up right. Will make your job easier with all the Stresses in one's life. We all know there are many.
Would I do it over again? Well, with the experience I have gained over the yrs, knowing more than back at 21. Probably. I would have to weight the pro's and con's. Hope you Driver's have a decent day. Drive safe.