NZ Trucking Magazine, July 2022

Page 110

TRUCKERS’ HEALTH

WHEN YOU’RE JUST

TOO BUSY Life is full of ups and downs. If you are currently overworked or overwhelmed, it can seem hard to keep up with your current load while maintaining your fitness and healthy-eating regime.

H

ere are some simple tips to help you stay on track as best as you can while navigating your busy life.

1. Plan to exercise The more organised you are, the more likely you are to stay on track. You can plan every minute detail of your life, or write down a few important things here and there. Find a system that works for you. I use a monthly planner to see what I have on for the month. It allows me to get my head around not just today but what’s coming up. The main details are when you are going to exercise, where and for how long. The more specific you can be, the better. For example, ‘Monday, 6pm, pump class at the gym.’ If you commit to a time, you are more likely to go than if you just note ‘gym today’.

2. Meal prep When your meals aren’t organised, you are more likely to reach for unhealthy convenience choices such as takeaways. If you have made time to do grocery shopping and have roughly planned out your meals for the week, you’re more likely to make better food choices. It doesn’t mean you have to spend hours meal prepping; even if you have your meals organised for the following day, it’s enough to get you by and ensure that healthy foods and snacks are on hand.

110  New Zealand Trucking

July 2022

3. Get enough sleep I know truckers often have long and unpredictable hours but getting as much sleep/rest as possible is so important. Try turning off your phone/TV an hour earlier, eating earlier in the day and hitting the hay a bit earlier – you will have more energy the next day and be more inclined to exercise. When we are tired, we often overeat as the responses telling us that we are full don’t quite operating as well as they should be. I tend to crave comfort foods more when I’m knackered.

4. Don’t over-commit If your plate is already full, resist the temptation to commit to doing more. Whether that be socially or work, it is important to prioritise yourself and the need for downtime and rest. Being overloaded, overtired and stressed is a recipe for disaster, healthwise.

care of your diet and that it is a nonnegotiable in your world, you will make it happen. Your friends and family should be respectful and appreciate that you are looking after yourself.

6. D on’t be too hard on yourself I am currently in the thick of a hectic period, having just planned a wedding, married, performed a lead role in a stage show, moved house and changed jobs. I can relate 100% to the idea that exercise and healthy eating habits can just slip away because you’re too tired and stressed. But I feel worse if I skip workouts and let unhealthy foods creep into my diet. In saying that, be gentle on yourself – all you can do is your best. Hopefully, it is just a temporary stressful period, and a light is at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, stay focused, stay organised, get plenty of rest and ride the wave to shore.

5. P rioritise what is important to you We live in a high-flying and fast-paced environment, where everyone is trying to be everywhere and do everything as quickly as possible. But we can’t do it all, and we often burn ourselves out by spreading ourselves too thinly. I always say you’re better to do well at a few things than be average at a dozen. So, choose your priorities carefully. Personally, my health comes first because it is a priceless commodity. If you know you need to exercise and take

Laura Hulley Personal trainer TCA Fitness Club


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Articles inside

The Last Mile

3min
pages 122-124

Transporting New Zealand

3min
pages 120-121

NZ Trucking Association

4min
pages 118-119

Business Together

3min
pages 116-117

Legal Lines

4min
pages 114-115

Moving Metrics

4min
pages 100-103

Health & Safety

2min
pages 112-113

Carriers’ Corner

3min
pages 108-109

Truckers’ Health

3min
pages 110-111

Advertorial – M2X for Ballance

4min
pages 106-107

Fuel for Thought – Winter Diesel

6min
pages 104-105

Little Truckers’ Club

1min
pages 94-95

Mini Big Rigs – Devail in the Detail

6min
pages 90-93

Million Mile Club

3min
pages 88-89

New Bodies and Trailers

3min
pages 86-87

Craig’s Truckin’ Snapshot

0
pages 78-79

Top Truck

5min
pages 48-51

Light Commercial Test – LDV eDeliver3

6min
pages 62-65

Wanaka Memory

9min
pages 66-71

Rust in Peace

1min
pages 76-77

Editorial

15min
pages 8-13

International Truck Stop – Blues and Twos

9min
pages 72-75

Back Down the Road a Bit

1min
pages 58-59

Great Dashboards – Volvo G88

1min
pages 46-47
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