“As truck drivers, we often don’t take our health seriously enough,” notes Kim Loescher, a company driver with Classic Carriers out of Ohio. “We’re on the road so much. We have to be aware of our health and we need to take it more seriously —and exercise and eating habits all play a role.”
“As truck drivers, we often don’t take our health seriously enough,” notes Kim Loescher, a company driver with Classic Carriers out of Ohio. “We’re on the road so much. We have to be aware of our health and we need to take it more seriously —and exercise and eating habits all play a role.”
In our recent conversation with Kim, who is a second generation trucker and breast cancer survivor, she had lots to say about how to live a healthy life as a trucker. After undergoing treatment earlier this year, Kim got back behind the wheel and has made staying healthy a top priority in her world. Check out Kim’s tips for getting and staying healthy on the road.
1. Build Exercise Into Your Daily Routines
One way to get your body moving is to incorporate movement and exercise into things you do every day.The idea is to make new habits that you can stick with. It can be as simple as walking around a rest area parking lot or lifting weights when you have a few minutes to spare.
“I do try my best to always park far away,” said Kim. “ After I get fuel, I’ll go all the way in the back and park. That way I can have to walk all the way back up front. Right now, I’m parked at a rest area and after I get off the phone with you, I’ll probably walk around the rest area just to get that walk in. I have little dumbbells in my truck, too.”
2. Bring Your Food with You or Grocery Shop on the Road
Most truckers we talk to recommend bringing your own food with you, including snacks, if you want to keep it healthy when you’re away from home. Buying and cooking your own food not only saves you money. It also keeps you away from fast food and truck stop food.
“When it comes to eating, I am not a fast food junkie,” Kim said. “I try my hardest to stop and get my food for one or two weeks, however long I’m out. I bring my food with me or do my grocery shopping on the road. I have many things to cook with. I have an all-in-one air fryer/pressure cooker. That’s what I try to do. Today, I put a pot of chili on. It is hard to cook for one person, but I can cook enough for multiple meals.”
“I try my hardest to stop and get my food for one or two weeks, however long I’m out. I bring my food with me or do my grocery shopping on the road. I have many things to cook with. I have an all-in-one air fryer/pressure cooker. That’s what I try to do. Today, I put a pot of chili on. It is hard to cook for one person, but I can cook enough for multiple meals.”
Having an Instant Pot, pressure cooker, crock pot, tabletop grill or air fryer on your truck makes it easy to put together meals quickly. These appliances also are versatile and help you avoid cooking the same foods over and over.
3. Plan Ahead
“I recommend planning ahead and making a grocery list,” says Kim. “Planning your meals should be part of your pre-trip planning. You’ve got to know where you’re going to stop that day and you’ve got to know what you’re going to eat that day. If you plan it out, it’s much easier.“
“I recommend planning ahead and making a grocery list,” says Kim. “Planning your meals should be part of your pre-trip planning. You’ve got to know where you’re going to stop that day and you’ve got to know what you’re going to eat that day. If you plan it out, it’s much easier.“
Kim told us that during the early days of the pandemic, she struggled to find grocery stores where she could park her truck to pick up basic supplies. She said it was also a real challenge for her and other truckers when grocery stores started to run out of things.
“That was hard, but I managed,” Kim said. “Luckily, my husband buys larger family packs, so when I would come through town, I’d stop and stock up at home. It’s just planning. I’m already planning for the next shutdown.”
Did you know that you can use the Wal-Mart locator in the Trucker Tools driver app to find Wal-Mart locations that sell groceries? It’s true!
For more about Kim and her inspirational journey, read Meet Second Generation Trucker and Breast Cancer Survivor Kim Loescher.
To download Trucker Tools’ free app for drivers, visit https://www.truckertools.com/carriers/.
