Keys To Staying Healthy On the Open Road

Even though there may be some loading and unloading that requires physical work, long distance truckers pick up weight fast. One article in the Dallas News entitled “Life on the Road Often Brings Health Challenges, Weight Gain for Truck Drivers” featured comments from Brett Blowers, Director of Marketing & Development for the Healthy Trucking Association of America. “Obesity is a terrible problem in the trucking industry,” he said.

Truck driver Oran Clay tried jump roping during driver appreciation day at Texas Star Express, a company he works for, in Rockwall, Texas, in October. Credit...Khampha Bouaphanh for The New York Times

Fernando McCrea, CEO of FMT Trucking out of Kingstree, SC, has always wanted to be a trucker. “You can say that I'm living out my childhood dream, and doing what I always wanted to do,” says Fernando, whose been operating his company since 2005. 

“I can remember most of my play toys as a kid were big rig trucks. As I got older, I started reading magazines about the trucking industry. 

When I was fourteen, my stepdad started trucking, and I remember playing sick one day just so I could ride with him to his orientation class in North Carolina! Once he got his CDL and began driving trucks, I was hooked. I love traveling and seeing new things, so becoming a trucker was all I ever wanted to do.”

As we all know, every passion comes with a price, and Fernando ran into a major challenge while traveling all over the country – he began to worry about his health. Sitting still in his truck on all of those long rides to everywhere from Miami to Vegas was making him pick up some weight. 

As any man with a family at home would be, he was concerned about his long-term wellness for the sake of his wife and daughter. So, he decided to do something about it.

Fernando started doing the Insanity workout program, the one that you see on television featuring vigorous trainer Shaun T. 

“Anyone that's looking to try out Insanity, there’s only one word to describe it…INSANE!” he said. 

“The warm-up alone will have you sweating, but it's all good if you stick with it. You will love the results from it, but be ready to put in some work! I want to lose four lbs. a week for the next eight weeks.”

He quickly realized that staying focused was the key to reaching his goal, so he stuck to the plan. In addition to working out, he began to eat better foods instead of just grabbing quick truck stop grub. 

“Today for breakfast I had four egg whites, half of a grapefruit, half a slice of wheat toast, and a small serving of cottage cheese...yes, cottage cheese!” he laughed. “Oh, and protein shake.”

Not only is Fernando concerned about his health for personal reasons, but for business ones that could affect his career as well. A recent article in the Red Wing Republican Eagle entitled “New Regulations Will Require Bus, Truck Drivers to Get Certified Exams” reports that every two years any driver with a CDL has to pass a medical physical if they want to keep their license. 

Fernando is very much aware of that fact. 

“Small steps that I'm taking in my life to be a healthier me are paying off,” he said. “I went back to my doctor  yesterday just for a quick checkup, and I got nothing but good news. 

Firstly, he was shocked by all of the weight that I’d lost in just a month. Then, he checked my sugar level. 

It's normal and exactly where it should be. I'm due for another checkup in six months, just to see if I'm diabetic or if I've reversed it. 

Well, I'm claiming it now, it will be reversed! God is Good!”

With that kind of faith, Fernando will be reaching his goal in no time. Still, trying to stick to a workout plan while on the road all over the country can be a challenge in itself. 

“I don’t make excuses,” the FMT owner said. “When I don't have access to a gym, I just break out my jump rope. You'd be amazed at the kind of workout you can get with just that and a set of dumbbells.”

Fernando McCrea, Owner of FMT Trucking, can be reached at (843) 597-7957.

Limus Woods, Professional Writer/Editor, can be reached at limusw@gmail.com or (843) 246-5387