Do Truk Drivers Tend To Gain Or Lose Weight?

I got my cdl through cr england just recently. I remember the instructor saying the average driver gains 50 pounds their first year.

That kind of got my attention. I have been with a driver mentor over the road for about a month now and have been careful to avoid the highly tempting hotdogs and hamburgers you see at every truck stop because of that. I would usually look for the produce section or subway shops whenever fueling up.

My initial weight was about 205 pounds before driving. That is a little heavyset and I have never been really self conscious about my weight. Just the other day I see one of those weight scales in a Love's restroom that cost a quarter to use. I decide to see how I am doing and the thing tells me I am down to 192 pounds exactly. This was also while I was fully clothed an carrying a bag of at least half a pound of food.

I did not really mean to go on a crash diet, but driving for those 10-11 stretches even with all the breaks in between I never really noticed myself being that hungry or anything. Yes I know that rapid weight loss is unhealthy and am trying to adjust my eating habit a little more now.

Doing the math that seems to come out to half a pound a day almost. If it is that easy to lose so much weight then I am just wondering is what the instructor said about the average weight gain being 50 pounds all that accurate?

I lost about 25 pounds my first month driving. I eat less, simple as that. I just don't feel hungry most of the time. Plus I am lifting hoses and climbing ontop of my tanker trailer quite often. I almost exclusively have been eating at Subway (no they are not paying me to say that! lol). I never liked fried food, burgers, and pizza too much. I think in the past 2 months driving I have eaten at Burger King 3 times, and that was only because there was no Subway at that particular truck stop.

I also don't eat snacks while driving. I see a lot of drivers with the family size bags of chips or M&Ms or something else. I just listen to my audiobooks, or music, or news radio; and enjoy the scenery.

I think it's mostly about self control. Yes you WANT the burger or pizza... but you KNOW it is horrible for you. Even Subway isn't good for you I am sure, but it's the lesser of two evils I suppose.

I too lost about 20lbs my first month and have kinda stayed at that. It evens out after a few months but if your not careful with your choices you can gain. If your gonna snack go with peanuts, fruits and veggies (that good stuff gets expensive though). They have a grilled chicken qusidilla that is delish at the petro its like 7.99 and its huge you can get it with soup or fruit. Thats my fav.

Go flatbed and you can't help but take off pounds. I didn't have anything to drop, but I have pants that were snug and now I have to be careful if I don't wear a belt. Loaded yesterday in Mo and it was 108 when I finished. Couldn't get it in as fast as it went out. I also eat 90% of my meals out of the truck; yogurt, humus, lean meet sandwiches, fresh fruits. Going to get a microwave when I make it by the house for some hot meals.

Weight gain or loss has more to do with your metabolism and lifestyle choices then anything else .Prior to driving, I worked mainly in an office ,going to lunch with the guys to various buffet type places followed by more hours sitting at my desk ,followed by lazing around the house with my kids .I was slightly plump.

After I began driving I lost appx 30 lbs and for the most part kept it off ,but then I was significantly more active than before too.My first couple of driving jobs saw me frequently in/out of my truck on drop and hooks or hand unloading at grocery warehouses.One company I delivered retail goods to a line of chain stores,these were all live unload where I tailgated the freight at each stop...talk about a work out .Echoing the guy above me ,you really want to lose weight ,be a flat bedder.

Losing or gaining a little bit I wouldn't be too concerned with ,but if it really bothers you ,seek the advice of a doctor ,perhaps something else is amiss and your recent career change is coincidental to a health problem only now coming to your attention.

This is one of my main reasons for wanting to drive flatbed. I'm concerned I would get too comfortable in the truck and start packing it on. I could stand to lose about 30 lbs anyways. Plus I actually like physical labor. Go figure. No pun intended. =-D

This is one of my main reasons for wanting to drive flatbed. I'm concerned I would get too comfortable in the truck and start packing it on. I could stand to lose about 30 lbs anyways. Plus I actually like physical labor. Go figure. No pun intended. =-D

You know what the best advantage of being a flatbedder is? You'll very seldom be required to back up ....but when you do ,count on it being into a narrow dimly lit alleyway or indoor dock while you are being blinded by the sun doing so...

It's common to lose weight the first few months out there because of the stress and focus you have all the time. You're normally too engrossed in what you're doing to really worry much about eating. But once you've been out there 6-12 months and you get more comfortable with it you'll start thinking more about passing the time while you're driving or you'll start looking at restaurants as an "escape" from driving or a reward for yourself for doing a great job. That's when you'll start putting on weight if you're not careful.

Losing half a pound a day is not crash dieting. It's actually a safe rate to drop weight at.