It is well known that the trucking industry is not the healthiest of careers. How many people do you know who's life or career has been cut short due to poor health created by their trucking career?
To be successful in the trucking industry you must become assertive with your scheduling of sleep, diet and time management. The industry is not going set guidelines for you to eat, sleep and drive.
A study about trucker health prepared for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed that:
A 1993 study of 2,945 truck drivers attending a trade show noted that 73 percent of all respondents to a survey were either overweight or obese. Of these drivers, 33 percent were classified as obese (i.e., Body Mass Index Greater than 30) and 40 percent were classified as overweight (i.e., Body Mass Index between 25 and 30).
A 1993 study of 2,945 truck drivers attending a trade show revealed over 80 percent of these drivers ate only one or two meals per day and 36 percent had three or more snacks per day.
The typical snacks of the drivers in the above 1996 study were: Chips, Fruit, Candy, Donuts, Cookies. Only 15 percent of these drivers ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
If you don't want to be part of these statitics you must take control of your habits, lifestyle and enviroment. Set up your truck to accomadate healthy snacks and meals.
Set up a nutritional supplement program to compliment your healthy meals.
Set up a sleep schedule that allows you 6-8 hours sleep.
Make a plan to walk (if allowed) while waiting at a customer. Bounce a tennis ball of the side of your trailer. Play frisbee with a fellow trucker.
By taking control of your health in this industry you will feel healthier, less tired and enjoy driving more.
