Obesity and being overweight are two common health risks facing truck drivers. Obesity means having too much body fat, while a person can be overweight due to too much muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. If a person consumes more calories than he/ she burns, those extra calories are stored as fat. Over time, if life changes are not made, that excess body fat will continue to increase until a person reaches obesity. When that happens, there is an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. The good news is that obesity is reversible in most cases, by eating and drinking smarter and increasing your physical activity. Consider the chart below and ask yourself where the majority of your daily calories are coming from.
WEIGHT LOSS SUGGESTIONS
Consult your doctor before starting any nutrition or exercise plan.
Calculate your current Body Mass Index (BMI) and set a goal to reach a healthy BMI.
Start tracking your caloric intake, including everything you eat and drink.
Make an effort to be more active, such as walking around the truck.
Try to get 30 minutes of exercise or walk 10,000 steps each day.
Drink lots of water. Suggestion: Your current body weight ÷ two = Daily water intake in fluid ounces.
Join a weight loss support and accountability group.
Pack your meals and drinks; avoid fast food.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your safety representative, or click below to find an agent.
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