Healthy Trucking

Healthy mind and body

Once I made up my mind to regain my health, the next biggest challenge was figuring out how to do it. My schedule basically consisted of 10 hours of driving and 10 hours in the sleeper, leaving four hours for fueling, doing paperwork, showering, eating and laundry.
     I was sure I could find time to exercise if I tried, but where? My husband and I are OTR drivers and stay out three to six weeks at a time. It isn’t like joining a gym was an option.
     I love to walk, but I wasn’t about to do laps at the truck stops because of the fumes. I needed to find realistic choices that matched my goals and personality. Sure I wanted to lose weight, but I also wanted good health. I wanted a healthy body. And mental health was just as important to me as physical health.
     The trucking company that my husband and I drive for has several nice gyms located at their main terminals. However, we only get by one maybe a few times a month. At home, I either walk at the track near my home or work out at the gym at my son’s apartment. However, this really only adds up to about an average of five or six days of exercise.  Better than nothing, but not nearly enough.
     After seeking advice and doing research, I settled on Pilates, yoga and resistance training. Every day I do easy, gentle yoga asanas (stretches and poses) before I go to sleep and just after I wake up. Yoga improves tone, flexibility and posture, and it releases stress.
     To build my muscles, I do strength training with therapy bands and resistance tubes. These are easy to find and don’t cost very  much. There are quite a few good Web sites with suggested uses and workouts. I do strength training four or five times a week. The bands can be used in the passenger seat or in the bunk. If the truck isn’t moving, I also do exercises from a standing position.    
     I do Pilates twice a week. Pilates helps make one aware of their posture and movements and strengthens the abdominal muscles. It also increases flexibility.
     The positive results have been steady and visible. I’ve lost weight and become stronger. I have much more energy, am more relaxed and sleep better. I feel younger and my blood pressure is good. I am happier.
     I used to get swollen ankles and aches in my back, knees and neck. I tired easily, and I felt my age. All of that is gone. I now enjoy working out. It is sort of like a new hobby. I find it doesn’t tire me, but instead energizes me. I’ve realized that we can either be our body’s best friend or worst enemy. I prefer a very long friendship.