Life On The Road

Never be the same again
by Jack Kelsh

The problem with “diets” is they don’t allow you the freedom to eat what you are hungry for. They are also boring; it’s the same thing over and over. Think back. What all did you eat last month? How many cheeseburgers? How many pieces of pizza? How many…?
     In reality, you probably are already on a “diet” but don’t realize it. You only know that diets stink. A diet is not synonymous with healthy eating. One cannot use the logic that healthy eating is boring because it is the same thing over and over again. On the contrary, healthy eating requires variety and balance. It ends up being exciting and, yes, challenging.
     Life is supposed to be fun. Sometimes that means a change in attitude and expectations. You can always get what you want if you can change what it is you want. Sound stupid? Try this: You want to be happy and lose weight. OK, lots of people want that. That means, though, you have to stop wanting to live off of cheeseburgers. You tell yourself, “I don’t want that today because I know what it will do to me.” Instead it will be, “I want to do something different, I want to get some exercise, I want to eat a lean roast beef sandwich on 100% whole grain with lots of fresh spinach and a little low fat cheese and skip the fries all together,” because you know what it will do for you.
     Learn what happens when you make these changes. If you think that popping a pill and changing nothing is going to work, I’m sorry, but you are wrong! And it costs you more than just a bunch of money.
     Focus on these tactics:
1.   Eat often—I recommend six small meals a day.
2.   Build muscle mass. Muscle cells are almost eight times more metabolically demanding than fat cells.
3.   Get some exercise that makes you breathe harder for 20-30 minutes, three times a week.
4. Drink lots of water—half your body weight in ounces daily.
5.   Get your seven or eight hours of sleep every night.
6.   Make yourself sweat; it burns calories and detoxes you.
     How do you do all this and still run your truck? You can read about it in my book “Nineteen Wheels: The Professional Driver’s Amateur Workout and Guide to Healthy Living on the Road.” Log on to SafetyThruWellness.com for details and to order, call 406-855-3582.
     Do it now and never be the same again. It worked for me. I lost 175 pounds. I’m half the man I used to be!
     Jack Kelsh is a certified sports nutritionist and professional driver.