Exercise and healthy eating for the OTR truck driver

Back to the sugar deal, if the label just says sugar & nothing else, does that mean it's not HFC, or should I stay away from it?

 

Some of you may have read my first few posts. For those of you who haven't, I just had open heart surgery 2 weeks ago which in itself is a life altering event. Let alone that I have to be off work 3 months without any income because my heart disease was pre-existing. Now I have to make a lot of serious changes in my lifestyle because I won't get a second chance.

I have little doubt that my cardiologist will put me on some kind of cardiac rehab program in a few weeks once I've healed some. I do have another issue working against me when it comes to exercise. A little over 3 years ago I had spinal fusion at L4 L5, L5 S1 with rods, screws and cages. This limits the types of exercises I can do. Weight training only if I have some support. Walking is fine up to a point when I must rest a minute until the pain eases off. Hopefully cardiac rehab will be able to give me a program that takes it all into account.

Suggestions appreciated,
Rick

 

The water rehab sounds good but there is no pool available in Russellville where they do rehab. I had my surgery in Little Rock but that's way too far to go.

As far as my diet goes I'm already making major changes even though they told me to eat "normal" the first few weeks to get my strength back. It seems almost impossible to buy the kinds of products I need. I've learned that if something says low sodium it's because they've lowered the portion size. I found that to be true with canned soups. Turkey and chicken lunch meats are low fat but loaded with sodium. Even milk has sodium. I know that if I buy canned veggies to drain and rinse them before heating. Wal-Mart does now have individual, microwaveable portions of veggies in like 6 packs similar to applesauce which will be fine when I go back to work in May. Right now I'm trying to find low sodium, low fat products to give myself some variety and there is really very little out there that qualifies on both counts.

Rick

 

hate to say it, but if you want to eat healthier, it's gonna involve a lot more "real" cooking & food preparation... and a lot less pre-packaged, microwaveable stuff! lol

my ex has had 4 back surgeries. driving a truck was nearly impossible for a while. and i could not convince him the only way to prepare to go back to work is to exercise, etc to rebuild strength. you should check with local Y, high school, etc to see if they'd allow you to do PT in their pool for short-term. aquatics really is the best - and probably least stressful - manner of therapy.

good luck to you. keep us posted.

 

There are no public pools in Russellville,Arkansas. You would think that in a town of almost 25,000 people plus Arkansas Tech that there would be better facilities but there aren't. There is no YMCA. There is a wellness center that is similar to a Y but it doesn't have a pool. It is part of the St. Mary's Regional Hospital. Cardiac rehab is done at what is called CORF, which is part of St. Mary's Regional Hospital. It doesn't have a pool. Besides, I can't swim anyway.

Rick

 

That is pretty amazing that there is no public schools in the area. It's too bad that the community doesn't have something more accessible. Hang in there, though!

 

Hey Lil Daddy, I noticed you mentioned you carry some weights with you... do you carry hex dumbbells or plates? Hex dumbbells would be easiest, but I've thought about carrying some handles and around 100 lbs in plates (or so) so that I can switch the plates with other accessories (such as a neck harness, etc.) and potentially add all the weight to one handle for heavier lifts, if necessary. I know it might be wise to watch how much is carried in the cab, but was just thinking about this. Do you carry any other equipment with you? With limited space and all, what do you think would be the wisest stuff to carry? I've also thought about investing in a foldable roman chair I saw on E-Bay that can be used for reverse hyperextensions as well as ab work. A truck driver can NOT strengthen the stomach and lower back too much...