Truckers now more than ever are realizing the need to live a healthier, disease free life. This in no small measure is due to both the physical and health requirements of regulatory bodies such as the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motorists Carrier Management and Administration.
Truckers are now mandated to be reasonably healthy. For many truckers, however, staying fit can be a surprisingly difficult thing. There’s little or no time for that. Worse still are the food options available while on the road.
These combined with the sedentary nature of the job can soon take its toll on the trucker’s frame, making him or her obese and unhealthy. So what can you do to stay fit while on the road? What workouts are easy to do for truckers and won’t require hours of dedication to get decent results?
Skipping Rope and Bicycle Riding
These are very low cost workouts that do not require much of your time every day. All you need to do is just work on this for 15 minutes every day, and you’ll soon start seeing results. Get a jump rope – it does not have to be fancy – and start with ten jumps per set for about 10-15 sets per day.
As you get better, you can increase the number of jumps to 20-30 per set. This workout is bound to burn off a lot of calories and help you start losing weight. Another decent exercise routine is to either get spinning equipment or buy a bicycle that you can ride around open spaces or truck stops.
Riding that bike around for 15-30 minutes a day will get you the workout you need to keep your heart healthy and start you on a journey to being fit and in shape.
Crunches and Jogging on the Spot
Jogging in place will work if you do not have enough space or trails to jog in. Many people say jogging on the spot doesn’t work. From experience, we know that it does; sometimes more effectively than the standard jogging. However, if you prefer jogging around, you should do 15-20 minute sessions. If this is too difficult for you to do, start with 5 minutes jogging, 3 minutes walking and then back to 5 minutes.
This is a pretty effective workout that lets you build up to a 15-20 minute jog. Once you are done jogging, it is time tighten your core. The simplest way to do this is to do some ab crunches. Start with 5-10 reps per set and do 2-3 sets. Then gradually increase the sets until you can do even more.
Long 15-20 minute Walks and Push-Ups
If jogging seems a bit much for you right now, start by taking long walks in the park. 15-20 minute brisk walks can get you started on the path to fitness. If your doctor says stuff about you not exerting yourself excessively, start with the walks and gradually build up to jogs and runs.
The good thing about this is the more you do, the better you’ll feel and the more you’ll want to do even more. Combine these runs with push-ups and you’ll soon start feeling fit. Sure, it may not seem like much at the onset, but keep at it, and you’ll find very soon that you’ll need to start slim-fitting your clothes, so they don’t look big.
Your workouts will be futile if you do not adopt a healthier lifestyle. So, if you want to start seeing those results and maintaining them too, you will need to start eating healthier, cut back on the smokes and switch to alternatives. Reduce your sugar and carb intake while loading up on fruits, veggies and water. This is a great start to losing weight and keeping fit.
Oscar King has spent many years as a trucker, and over time found many ways to keep himself in shape over the years. He writes on the side to help supplement his income. When he needs a regular physical exam, no matter where in the nation he is, he always turns to www.driverphysicals.com. You can learn more about Oscar by visiting his profile on Google+.