to fat to drive?

I agree with you and everyone else that points out that thin poeple can get sleep apnea. There are several drivers out of our terminal that have had to go on the monitors however they ALL have met the visual criteria such as Waistline, neck size and body mass. When i get my DOT, the doctor's have never muentioned it to me. I could very well have it but would never know. most of my driving is done from 8am to 4pm, most of the time i am backing or in the trailer unloading. there is enough activity as a city peddle driver to keep you awake all day. the best thing for overweight drivers is to start small with a diet change so you can stick with it. when i pull into a Kwik-Trip to use the bathroom or get a bag of pretzels, i see drivers going back to their trucks at the fuel island with 2 hands full of JUNK! Bratwurst's, large soda's, chips's and a big bag of cheese curds to polish off while they roll down the road. realize where all this crap is going as you are seated for the next 8 hrs. with no physical activity.

 

To the last two posters, I agree 100%. being overweight is not good, but we do have limits on what we can do as far as exersizing, that doesnt mean dont do anything. I myself like to park as far away from the truck stop building as I can and walk to it. I also try to stop along the run to get out and strech my legs. As far as going to the store to buy the food I want, I dont buy junk myself, I tend to get wheat bread and low fat lunch meat, things like that. I do go into a T/S or petro and have a sit down meal every so offten, I eat as heathly as I can, salads, veggies like that, every time. We can and we should take care of ourseleves a lot better than we do. I dont want to die in my truck 2000 miles from home. I dont think any of us do.

 

Coming from a fat guy...

If you have to ask if you're to fat, then you're too fat.

 

What are some of the regulations for the physical? I had my cholesterol and blood sugar checked last year and it was perfect. My blood pressure runs just a tick or two above normal though. I have a ridiculous BMI though...

But I know I can climb and lift things. Every once in a while, I have to carry my 110 pound niece to her room and I can do it, even when kicking and trying to bite me.

I want to get a job trucking (one reason anyway) so I can finally be in charge of what I eat. Being employed will also help my self-esteem. That alone will cause me to shed some pounds. As it is now, living with other people who buy the food, I can't really decide to eat this, not that. If I had my own money, I would buy fresh fruit and veggies and lean meats. When I had to eat out, it wouldn't be dollar menu anymore, I would order the salads.

 

FYI: Most every salad at a fast food restaurant has MORE calories than one of their sandwiches so beware. Pack your own salads and light non-creamy dressings.

Your niece is not dead weight like tarps and boxes are. She, even though fighting, carries some of her own weight.

I commend you for wanting to improve your life. You can always have a say in what you eat. Ask for some fruit to be bought and eat much less for meals. At least it might be a shot. Good luck to you.

 

You have a point about dead weight. However, my niece does goes limp sometimes. lol But it is hard to get a good grip on something that keeps flailing around.

 

I am like alot of driverst both local like me and OTR drivers. i like to constantly stuff my pie hole while driving. i think it comes out of sheer Boredom. however i try not to eat junk. lately what i am doing is going to the grocery store and buying the largest bag of Unsalted low fat pretzels or pre-popped unsalted popcorn, putting it on the dash and i go to town. dont get me wrong, its bland tasting but filling. doctor says that stuff is fine all day for snacking. any little diet change and you will see and feel the difference especially in your energy level

 

How about this test for new hires? If you can drive a B-Model Mack for a day, you're in. (Small cab, huge steering wheel & manual steering)