Taking Control of Your Personal Health

It’s common knowledge that exercising is beneficial to your health, in some cases, even life saving. So why isn’t everyone exercising? We know making major life changes isn’t an easy task, and taking control of one’s personal health is no exception. It can be overwhelming and difficult, especially while working and living on the road. The reasons for not attempting a program or failing at one varies from person to person, but with a support system, a solid plan,  and realistic goals you can get on the road to better health.

The first step is what you put in your body is 75% of the battle. While exercising is very important, making good nutritional choices is the key. Just as I say “it’s not the exercise you should do, but the one you will do.” Learning how to get the maximum performance out of your body engine, you need to know what fuels are best for you. We all have access to the most reliable and valuable lab, it’s our own bodies. 

Let’s take protein for example. Protein is the building block of every cell in your body, and should be the foundation of every meal. Protein comes in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Chicken, turkey, lean cuts of meat, cheese, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, and cottage cheese.

A common complaint among those making lifestyle changes is they are always hungry. Eating a low fat menu can leave you wanting more, but you don't have to eat the kitchen sink or return to your old habits to feel satisfied. By including a little lean protein with each meal you can feel full for longer. However, you need to understand how much protein is enough (rule to follow, your fist is equal to a portion size)  and that, not all proteins agree with everyone. This is where you need to experiment with your own body to find the right protein for you. Protein takes longer for your body to digest, so it stays with you longer (much like whole grains.) It can help you stick to a low fat diet and in turn, helps you to lose weight without losing your mind.

It’s essential to start the day with a good source of protein. We know, living and working on the road and having accessibility to good choices can be challenging. If you don’t always have time in the morning to eat a good breakfast, be prepared and have your cab stocked with some staples as a back-up. Remember, if you don’t have a good choice available, you will make a bad choice. Consider carrying things like protein bars or shakes, fruit with nuts, or greek yogurt with oatmeal.  They are a good source of protein for on the run. 

You need to do your homework and read the labels to make sure you are not overloading on sugar and carbs in order to get the protein. This is where you learn to listen to your body. Stay tuned for more tips coming. Thanks for reading. Drive Strong. 

Bob Perry, the Trucker Trainer™