Truckers and Travelers

Hello, Fellow Drivers!  I wanted to write to you today about trucking resources that help you set goals and stay on track with good eathing habit and fitness goals.  It’s called S.M.A.A.R.T goal setting.  The positive thing about this method is that it helps you set realistic and attainable goals that help motivate you with enthusiasm and reachable expectations.  These tips will help you with your eating and fitness goals.  These tips can also help with a good trucking business plan as well.

1.  Specific.  Write down your eating goals each day.  Did you know that when you write things down you are more likely to accomplish that task?  On the road it’s tough to always have a place to stop that offers healthy eating choices.  That’s why writing down your goals for each day will help you think ahead in your trip as to where you might be able to stop and when. 

2. Moderate.  What will be your goals for eating and exercising this week?  Choose two maybe three that you will do.  That way you will not be overwhelmed with having to work, drive, write in your log book AND lose or maintain your weight and exercise.  Once you have accomplished that two or three goals you select, you can add new ones or just ride on the that feeling of success.

3. Attainable.  Make small, reasonable changes.  If you’re not walking at all, don’t try to walk every day.  The smaller the difference between your current behavior and your goal behavior, the greater the chances you’ll accomplish the change you make.  Small successess lead to big successes.  Leave room for a slip up or two.  You’re human remember?

4.  Active.  Define your goals in “what to do”.  For instance, when will you exercise?  Will it be after your pre-trip inspection on the truck or on your post-inspection?  Will it be just before dinner and your shower at the end of the day?  Set a time when you will be active and write it down.

5. Record.  Keep track of your progress and when you met your goals.  This will increase your awareness of your goals and accurate record of your progress.  You will then begin to see a pattern of new behavior beginning to be established in your life and give you the “want to” to keep it up.  Record your energy level at the end of the day.  You will notice that your stamina is also increasing and you can chart why.

6. Time-limited.  Look over the record you’re keeping of your new eating and exercising habit, like say, once a week.  Sometimes shorter intervals are more helpful.  Whatever works to keep you on your new path of health and fitness.  Doing this will enable you to see when you have the most success and when you seem to slack off and need to be aware and change something. 

The whole idea in this goal setting system is to give you trucking resources that give you better health and make your trucking business successful because you are feeling healthier and living healthier.  Be safe out there!