New calorie counting truck driver.

ckennedy1585
ckennedy1585 Posts: 2
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hello myfitnesspals!

I found this site in the new beginnings of calorie counting and I'm hoping to make some new friends and to learn in the process as well. In 2006 I left the Army weighing appx 150lbs. Ironically at that time I felt like I was out of shape. Now, 8 years later I weigh appx 205lbs (I am 28yrs and 5'6"). The idea of going back to my out of shape 150lb self sounds far fetched, but would be nice.

So here is where I give a rundown on my life and hope for motivation, knowledge and advice. I drive an 18wheeler. I basically live in a small box. I do have a mini fridge and microwave, but other than that I'm limited to food unless it comes from a truck stop/Walmart. I don't have the ability to bake, cook on a stove, etc. I've tried many diets none of which I've stuck to. This calorie counting thing though, I've done it for about 3 days and was thinking "this isn't so bad!". Here comes the next concern. I am doing a decent job counting the calories to learn I somehow need to count carbs, protein, etc, etc. I'm a truck driver (so not too smart), I've always just ate what I wanted. I don't know what to do because I don't know enough about nutrition to calculate the ins and outs.
I'll leave it at that for now and see what types of responses come from it. When responding keep in mind I don't have a normal schedule and I'm always on the go.

Replies

  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,290 MFP Moderator
    So here's the thing - be HONEST with yourself and accurately record what you're eating. You CAN have the things you like - you don't have to cut anything out. Just realize that you're going to have to eat LESS of the calorie dense foods if you're planning on staying under your calorie goal. Which usually translates into MORE things like veggies and lean meats - some of which you can keep in that mini-fridge in your truck (I like raw veggies and oikos dip - YUM!). I have lost more than 50 pounds eating things like fried chicken (dinner tonight), pizza, chocolate, beer, yummy delicious foods. But through tracking my calories, I eat them in smaller quantities than before UNLESS I've made a conscious decision that I'm going to go over my calorie goals for the day (did this yesterday). Then, the next day I start over fresh. You'll do great as long as you're honest with yourself. Start with just tracking your calories HONESTLY. After a while you'll find yourself making better choices just because you don't want to go over your daily calorie goal. If I can do this, ANYONE can do it. :)

    BTW, another Army vet here - got out in 2004 (off active duty in 2001, though). What was your MOS? I was a 96D - Imagery Analyst.
  • I was a 92a (supply)/airborne at Ft. Bragg.
    So, I understand the calorie count. If just counting calories is the goal I can do this I believe. The problem I'm having is trying to count calories AND the idea that I need to watch carbs, protein, sodium, etc as well. Not a good thing I realize, but I'm not looking to be super healthy, looking for something I CAN stick to. So my question is.... Can you lose weight ONLY counting calories, or is there a difference in the type of Calories that maybe you can't lose weight with? Feel free to friend me if you want!
  • woodsidemember
    woodsidemember Posts: 8 Member
    I am a 62 year old grandma and let me tell you losing weight is not easy but as they say, losing weight is hard, being fat is hard.... Choose your hard.

    I think in your position you are doing great for now to count calories, try to keep in mind the usual salt laden meals like Chinese and Thai and have them only weekly? I personally eat pizza etc and donot restrict things I like, but as the above poster said I eat less and track every bite !

    Lots of grocery stores today have ready cooked meals, especially upscale stores, I realize parking your rig is a challenge. Keep cashews and other nuts available if you can control portions.

    All in all it sounds as though you have a good start! Don't worry too much about the sodium etc, I haven't noticed mine being over except after Chinese food. It is like taking baby steps, one thing at a time!

    I wish you success, take the weight off while you are young, eat foods you love as you will need to do what you are doing now for the rest of your life! Sure many lose fast cutting out carbs etc, but they soon get bored and then regain.... So only do now what you are willing to do forever!

    Kathy
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Yes, you can lose weight only tracking calories. Ultimately, that's the only thing that will determine weight loss. However, some people do have a medical issue (such as diabetes or pre-diabetes) that makes it much harder to lose weight without tracking things like their carb intake. This may or may not apply to you. My suggestion is to just reduce your calories and see how you do. There may be easy changes you can make that yield big results such as giving up/reducing chips, sodas, candy etc.

    Also, while calorie counting is a very useful and insightful tool, it isn't required to lose weight. Given your job, you might find it easier to just reduce you food intake a bit. Maybe eat 80 or 90% of what you normally eat and see where that takes you?

    Best wishes from the wife of a 30 year Army Reservist (two tours Iraq)!
  • redrover
    redrover Posts: 71 Member
    I just read an article about getting in shape while being a truck driver. I sent you the article. Good luck!
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  • LuvDarkChocolate
    LuvDarkChocolate Posts: 145 Member
    I understand your plight. I am a truck driver too. The sources of food that are available to us, are not as plentiful as a lot of people may think, at least not for me. Try parking an 18 wheeler in a parking lot meant for daily drivers. I try to get my food needs from a grocery store first thing in the morning before the roads get too packed. If I don't do this I will end up at a truck stop that only caters to people looking for a snack. I do get pre packed salads, fruit, and cans of tuna/salmon. I do buy tons of water that fills me up, however the downside is restroom stops. My husband gets bent out of shape when I tell him it's time to pee :)) No fast food, but I will treat myself to Chipotle when I can get in their parking lots easily. My favorite is a sofritas salad. It is fairly low calorie, and is very filling. I always thought tofu was similar to a sponge, but after eating that salad I am a tofu nut! On my own time at home I load up on "snack" items ready for my next trip out. Whole Foods has some great ideas for people looking for healthier alternatives. Although I am by no means a person that can give you the best advice I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Good luck . Lisa.
  • srmchan
    srmchan Posts: 206 Member
    I'm a truck driver (so not too smart), I've always just ate what I wanted.

    I'm not buying the "not too smart" bit. You handle strong, heavy rigs where one mistake could take multiple lives. I could NOT do your job - especially due to that sort of stress! I've seen you guys back those rigs up to a tight loading dock in the city as if it were 2nd nature. I can barely back an SUV down a boat ramp 3 times as wide - and that's only after multiple attempts! :smile: Give yourself some credit; you're a vital part of the economy.
    I don't know what to do because I don't know enough about nutrition to calculate the ins and outs.
    I'll leave it at that for now and see what types of responses come from it. When responding keep in mind I don't have a normal schedule and I'm always on the go.

    I'm not qualified to give you advice on nutrition - but I'll share some of my experiences. In my opinion, it boils down to planning and preparation. Every week, I sit down and make out a meal plan, and I maximize for left-overs. For example, I'll make home made tomato sauce for chicken parmesan one night, and then I'll re-use the left-over sauce for meatball subs later in the week. Or when I make chicken parmesan, I'll roast some extra chicken to slice and put on salads for lunch. After I make my meal plan, I order groceries online to pick up at the grocery store in order to avoid impulse or junk food purchases. My breakfasts and many lunches are the same thing - so need to really plan there other than making sure I have eggs, bacon, bananas and salad greens.

    Always on the go makes it tougher. I travel as part of my job, albeit not to the extent that you do. When I eat out, I try to plan ahead there as well. I'll look up a restaurant's nutritional information and decide exactly what I'm going to order before I go eat. Restaurant nutrition is a mystery to me. For instance, when I started dieting I ordered a salad with chicken at a chain... 1,100 calories and a day's worth of sodium! But I go to another and have sirloin skewers with Italian green beans and a side salad and it's less than 1,100 calories. Ergo knowing in advance what you're getting into will save you from nasty surprises later. If you have some regular places you stop to eat that are chains, look up their nutrition information on the web and write down a menu of things you like that are compatible with your nutrition goals - then it becomes a simple matter of referring to your list when you want to eat. I keep little references like that on my smart phone because my memory is terrible.

    Hope that helps, and good luck!

    Sam
  • As a truck driver myself, I wasn't to happy to see you say "so not so smart" we have it hard enough as it is so take it easy on saying things like that, ok. What I try to do is buy things like deli meats like sliced chicken or even beef bologna. I don't use much bread and when I do I try to use whole grain white. the only thing I put on it is mustard. More often than not I will reach in to my cooler and pull out a single slice of bologna roll it up and snack on that as I drive. I also buy pre sliced fruit like apples and the like, veggies are easy to get like that as well with carrots being a favorite, with a little peanut butter sometimes it hits the spot. I no longer eat any any bars at all and I no longer drink and sodas. Just that alone you feel a difference. I still drink an ungodly amount of coffee and I cant go a day without my ice tea, no sugar of course. I try to drink water during the day but first thing in the morning for sure. All I can say is keep working it. It will get a little easier as you go along.
  • libbydoodle11
    libbydoodle11 Posts: 1,351 Member
    I also advocate the purchase of a digital food scale for your truck.


    Here are some random videos that may offer some additional ideas. I just did a search on youtube under "healthy eating for truck drivers". Of course, you can do your own searches as well.



    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wZt8EHFqkc

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wZt8EHFqkc

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owCOLSynV4E

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P56uRxFGaTA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3ibnjyeIU0

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyQ29guqs8

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDGKr6JJ5Os



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