[ASK] Health Concerns Of Trucking

Hello All,

What are the health ramifications of an OTR trucking career?

Is it possible to work out and eat clean?

NO DISRESPECT to anyone, but I notice that the majority of truckers that I see are obese or at best, out of shape and I'm curious as to why this is.

Currently, I am 46 years old. I work out 5-6 days per week. A year ago, I was obese, 5' 8" and 260 lbs. In the past year, I started eating clean and work out. I am now 185 lbs. I want to continue on my path to healthy living, but I am considering a OTR trucking career.

Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

I went from 216 to 172lbs 3+ years ago when I went OTR. I also lost some muscle.

I can’t say I’m a healthy eater, but better than I was. If ya can’t reach it, you can’t eat it.

When I lost the weight. I also improved my cholesterol and got off of blood pressure medicine.

Yes it can be done. I did a lot of walking when I’d park for the day. I was with Schneider and their Operating Centers have work-out rooms.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

It's no more difficult to stay in shape and be healthy on the road than it is off the road. You simply have to make the time and put in the effort to find the right foods and exercise when you get the chance. I used to have dumbbells with me and I used to go running all the time. Nowadays I would probably have the exercise bands instead of dumbbells. You can do yoga, bodyweight training, or any number of other workout regimens. You just have to put in the effort.

You can always elect to have a trucking job with a built in workout regimen as part of your job. I'm 12 years older than you, 5' - 10" and 185 pounds, and that's what I weighed when I started this career a good many years ago. Flat bed drivers can turn their great paying job into a daily workout routine. How they eat is a matter of choice for all of us, but with a little effort you can make good choices.

I think it was Daniel B who posted about his healthy diet on the road, and how he parks as far from the truck stops, etc. and walks, and takes walks when he stops for the night.

Maybe he can chime in if he sees this.