Healthy Trucking

by Jack Kelsh, professional driver

The ravenous beast

Have you ever noticed that when you eat breakfast, you seem to be hungrier again much sooner than you do when you don't eat breakfast?    
     Many people skip breakfast thinking that this will prevent them from eating so much. The truth is that you get hungry again much sooner because your body's metabolism is spiked and you are burning more energy. You are also being more energized.
     The worst thing you can do when you are trying to lose weight is to starve yourself. This brings out the Ravenous Beast of hunger. When you deny yourself food – and you may be able to go several days “dieting” – you start to crave all those things you used to eat. Then you can't take it anymore and you fall off the wagon and begin to over-eat.
     Your body doesn't like being starved and it reacts by storing fat to use as an energy source later. But it always stores more than it will use. So, you end up more miserable in multiple ways.
     My program is not a diet. In fact, it is necessary to graze…to eat constantly. You should be eating six small meals a day. Don't be eating a bunch of junk food, though. There are rules, but sometimes it will surprise you how some foods you thought were healthy, are really not so good. And some foods you think of as unhealthy are actually pretty decent. It matters, too, how the foods are prepared and in what combinations they are consumed. Foods complement each other to maximize the nutrition potential for use in your body.
     Once you are no longer malnourished, you need to build muscle and enhance your cardiovascular functions. Yeah, I said malnourished. You think of someone in a Third World country as being malnourished, but obesity is a sure sign of malnutrition. And as you know, the DOT and other federal regulators are beginning to recognize this. They will stop you from driving if you don't meet their requirements. The good news is, however, that there is something you can do about it. It's not that hard, either, but it requires knowledge and motivation. First, know that no one will do it for you. There isn't a pill you can take to make everything alright. But I guarantee you, once you learn how and get started, you will feel so good, you will wonder why you didn't start sooner.
     I know, because I lost 180 pounds and got into great shape, even as a truck driver. Go to my Web site, safetythruwellness.com, to learn more and order the book and 19th wheel. Or just call 406-855-3582 and order by phone. Feel free to ask any questions. I'm here to help you. For now, take care and live well!
     Jack Kelsh is an over-the-road professional driver and a certified sports nutritionist.

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