Healthy Trucking

Living shorter, dying longer

Health reflects your state of mind and body, for better or for worse. Are you in good health? Do you feel good about yourself, or do you wish things were better? Because of the safety net of science, we are not dying as young as we once were, but honestly, are we really living longer and better?
     I have learned and applied some ways to live longer in my own life. I used to think it was just about losing weight. I lost 180 pounds, but it has been much more than that. My self-esteem has made a comeback, as well as my enjoyment for so many things I thought were long-gone for me. I have energy!
     Energy is transferred from food to cells in our bodies. That’s why we eat. Eating strictly for pleasure will make you go soft before your time. Throw out the concept of breakfast, lunch and dinner. We need to eat approximately six meals a day, or every three hours. Each meal should be small and balanced, with lots of variety and a rainbow of colors, and no, I don’t mean Skittles and Trix.
     The six-small-meals-a-day regimen resets our metabolism and gives us mental, as well as physical, energy, but it doesn’t stop there. In order to transform the food energy to our cells, exercise has to be involved.
     Exercise is not an option or trend. It is a powerful medicine and needs to be done with pride and determination. How are we, as drivers, supposed to get any exercise? We’ll get into that, but first, know that prolonged inactivity destroys the immune system, robs the body of vital capacity and greatly reduces motivation. If you fight the urge to do nothing and physically move and work your body, that beautiful motivation will make its way into your brain and transform you.
     I have said time and again that there is no miracle pill. Being drug-free forces one to focus on optimal nutrition and exercise technique in order to remain healthy and alert. Motivation makes you do what needs to be done when it needs to be done, which begs the question: Do you need to be motivated to get motivated?
     That’s where I come in. I used to weigh 365 pounds, I suffered from low self-esteem, and I had a hard time simply getting around. I could never do then what I’m capable of doing now. I developed a driver workout primarily done from the driver’s seat of the truck. My book “Nineteen Wheels” describes it in detail and introduces you to the principles of good nutrition. Check out safetythruwellness.com for more information.
     Jack Kelsh is an over-the-road professional driver and a certified sports nutritionist.