Choosing A Healthy Lifestyle On The Road

Truck drivers have a life expectancy 10 to 15 years less than the average North American male. That is a grim statistic. Average life expectancy for males in North America is 76 years. Women live an average of 4 to 5 years longer than men. Obesity, smoking, fatigue, lack of exercise, sexually transmitted disease and poor eating habits are the prevalent reasons for reduced life expectancy in our profession. That information does not come as a surprise to those of us that have worked as drivers for any length of time. It is generally accepted that this is the lifestyle of the trucking industry. More and more of us are no longer willing to accept this lifestyle that puts us on a path to poor health and a shortened life. That been said, living a healthy lifestyle on the road is no easy task. It is very difficult. It requires a commitment and a lot of self discipline. I can speak to this from experience. How many of you have tried to quit smoking, to eat healthier, to diet or to get some exercise while on the road only to find the changes add more stress to your day. We tell ourselves that we don't have enough time to live a healthier life. So we revert to old habits convincing ourselves it is either too difficult or not worth the effort to change. We accept the status quo.

It is possible to change. There is not a magic wand to wave or a miracle pill to swallow. You start by recognizing the adversity, difficulty and discomfort you must deal with in your everyday life. There are many hardships we have in common as drivers. Stress, anxiety, fatigue, separation from family and friends and physical discomfort to name just a few. Be honest with yourself regarding the suffering you endure on a daily basis. Once you do you will find that the causes of those daily hardships you face are much easier to deal with. You do not have to accept the status quo. It's your life and you can live it how you choose too. Your choices determine the outcome. If you want to live a healthier life, a less stressful life, a more fulfilling life, all you have to do is choose to do so. This may seem overly simplistic but it is very true. We spend far too much time searching for external causes to internal issues. We stubbornly hang on to states of mind and habits that, upon reflection, are of little or no benefit to us. Recognizing your ability to choose is a catalyst to making change.

In the year 2000 I set a long term goal for myself. I wanted to be in the best physical condition I could possibly be in on my fiftieth birthday. That day comes in 2010. I knew that this was doable over a ten year period. I did not know that it would be the roller coaster ride that it has been. I've fallen of the healthy lifestyle wagon more times than I can count. I've learned a lot about myself along the way and it's not over yet. The good news is I am now a non smoker, rather than a two pack a day smoker, and I am 75 pounds lighter than I was at my heaviest in 2001. The greatest benefit is that I am happier and live my life with much more ease than I have in many years. Getting healthy and staying healthy on the road is possible. It is your choice.