Healthy Trucking

My food addiction

I picked up a lot of bad habits on the road. I had a hard time staying awake driving, so I would eat dry, salty snacks. My inventory in my truck included everything from potato chips and popcorn to candy bars and granola, which I would eat shortly after stuffing myself from a buffet. All that heavy food made me tired, so I had to eat to stay alert. I was washing it down with a thermos of coffee. It’s no wonder I ballooned up to 365 pounds.
     I was miserable! I was thinking about how big I was getting, knowing that I was doing all the wrong things, knowing I needed to get some exercise, but rationalizing that there was no time and no opportunity to eat healthy. I didn’t know what healthy eating was all about; I just thought that dark bread was better than white bread.
     I tried to walk from time to time, but that just made me hungry again. I knew that no one respected me because I didn’t even respect myself, although I pretended to have my act together. I just blamed everything on being a truck driver.
     I have come a long way since then. I am half the man I used to be, but in a good way. I lost 175 pounds and got into pretty good shape. When it reached the point where I could not bend over to tie my shoes, I knew I had to do something, so I developed a total body resistance training workout that I could do while driving. This exercise built muscle mass, which in turn burns fat.
     I also learned as much as I could about nutrition and how different foods work together to maximize my body’s energy level. The great thing about that is I don’t ever have to starve myself or go hungry. I never had to go on a “diet.” I learned how complex carbohydrates act with simple carbs and sugars to regulate absorption and sustain energy. I learned the importance of eating healthy fats and proteins in the correct ratios. I learned how many foods in the proper combinations help boost my immunity so I would not get sick or run down. I learned the importance of drinking water.
     I wrote all of this down in a great little book called “Nineteen Wheels: The Professional Drivers’ Amateur Workout and Guide to Healthy Living on the Road.” The 19th wheel is part of the routine, and it can be carried conveniently in a duffle bag and used anywhere. This supplements the driver’s seat workout and helps build upper body muscle. The work can be pretty intense, but it is worth it. You can order the program from my Web site at safetythruwellness.com.

     Jack Kelsh is a certified nutritionist and professional driver.