Stressed Truckers
Drivers who transport goods across the country are too often taken for granted, right?
The common driver, in their efforts to attend a meeting, or get to their shopping destination, arrive at a ballgame, or simply get home in time for dinner will sometimes forget the important role filled by long distance professional truck drivers. Far from being
an obstacle on the road, their large, yes sometimes view-blocking rigs, are what delivers today's necessities of life - national commerce in action. Drivers of these semi's know well the importance and the daily difficulties of their profession.
And, they have a perspective and insight that, unfortunately, many of us miss.
Rigorous demands are faced by our over-the-road drivers. Maintaining their truck, mapping routes, keeping logs, weather awareness, trying to eat well, and getting enough sleep are but a few responsibilities faced by these road kings. Poor health is also a serious epidemic among truck drivers. A whooping 86% of truckers are overweight. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise lead to ailments which include high blood pressure, congestive heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
The common driver, in their efforts to attend a meeting, or get to their shopping destination, arrive at a ballgame, or simply get home in time for dinner will sometimes forget the important role filled by long distance professional truck drivers. Far from being
an obstacle on the road, their large, yes sometimes view-blocking rigs, are what delivers today's necessities of life - national commerce in action. Drivers of these semi's know well the importance and the daily difficulties of their profession.
And, they have a perspective and insight that, unfortunately, many of us miss.
Rigorous demands are faced by our over-the-road drivers. Maintaining their truck, mapping routes, keeping logs, weather awareness, trying to eat well, and getting enough sleep are but a few responsibilities faced by these road kings. Poor health is also a serious epidemic among truck drivers. A whooping 86% of truckers are overweight. Poor eating habits and lack of exercise lead to ailments which include high blood pressure, congestive heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Due to the descending health of truckers, and rising insurance costs, businesses are starting to encourage and even reward, company drivers to improve their health.
Overweight and Obese
Diet
A trucker blogs about his successful diet: http://www.healthtrucker.com/trucker-diet-short-and-easy-version.html
A trucker blogs about his successful diet: http://www.healthtrucker.com/trucker-diet-short-and-easy-version.html
Bike Exercise
I had a cheapo bike on the back for a while. It was destroyed in no time, though, because of weather and all the bouncing around. So I spent the big bucks for a folding bike. I keep it in the passenger side floor area, which works for me since I'm solo and always will be.
If you do go with a bike outside, I suggest installing a rack (if the company will allow it) to keep it from banging against the truck all the time and covering the bike up to keep it out of the rain and salt and road grime. I've seen lots of drivers who just throw their bikes on the back of the truck any which way, but I can't figure out how they keep it good condition.
Comment on Thetruckersreport.com.
I had a cheapo bike on the back for a while. It was destroyed in no time, though, because of weather and all the bouncing around. So I spent the big bucks for a folding bike. I keep it in the passenger side floor area, which works for me since I'm solo and always will be.
If you do go with a bike outside, I suggest installing a rack (if the company will allow it) to keep it from banging against the truck all the time and covering the bike up to keep it out of the rain and salt and road grime. I've seen lots of drivers who just throw their bikes on the back of the truck any which way, but I can't figure out how they keep it good condition.
Comment on Thetruckersreport.com.
Truckers and Diabetes
People think that soft drinks and other water substitutes fill the body's need for water.
But these drinks contain sugars, caffeine and other additives that act as diuretics to rob
the body of up to 50% more water than they contain. This leads to dehydration,
which is a contributing factor to diabetes.
You should switch to plain water and add a little salt to your diet
(about 1/8 tsp per 16 oz of water you drink). This will help you keep your diabetes stabilized -
it will probably even improve it.
But these drinks contain sugars, caffeine and other additives that act as diuretics to rob
the body of up to 50% more water than they contain. This leads to dehydration,
which is a contributing factor to diabetes.
You should switch to plain water and add a little salt to your diet
(about 1/8 tsp per 16 oz of water you drink). This will help you keep your diabetes stabilized -
it will probably even improve it.
Helpful Foods and Supplements
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Take Vitamin D3 supplements, which are inexpensive and replenish the lack of direct sunlight needed to produce this essential vitamin.
Eat foods rich in Vitamin D: Fatty fish (salmon) Mushrooms (portabella and others) Dairy products (cheeses and yogurt) Dairy Alternatives High in D (almond milk and rice milk) Eggs Pork (extra lean ham) Fortified Cereals Tofu Nuts (almonds, walnuts, filberts, most others) Seeds (sunflower and others) |
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