I love OTR but I'm over it

Posted by jaylew1981@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 36 comments

I'm currently on the road and came to a city where an old lady friend of mine lives that I haven't seen in a long time. Last time I seen her, I was in the gym everyday, and felt half of my age. I rear ended tf out of that 4-wheeler! I see her this time, I've gained 35lbs, and my equipment isn't working! I should of pre-tripped before I started the motor. How effing embarrassing!

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

OTR broke your dick ? I fucking hate OTR, it broke my life :)

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jaylew1981@reddit (OP)

The rest of my life is on its way to being broke too. I had all the support I could have asked for at the beginning. Not so much anymore.

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

I feel that, the isolation is brutal. That’s why I bailed , it was doing a number on me mentally. I know some love it but nothing about it is healthy.

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ignoreme010101@reddit

but nothing about it is healthy.

it is what you make of it! I am not denying that many make it unhealthy, but you can certainly be healthy doing it!!!

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

You “can” but it’s pretty difficult. I think. I did the best I could. Yoga , Dog, Dog Walking, eating salads and oatmeal, etc. Sleeping a solid 7-8 hours. I still felt like a slug. 6’2” 170lbs starting OTR now 180lbs.

The sitting for hours and hours, is what I think is the killer.

I know you will say , maybe. “Just pull over” and I did but sometimes it’s not possible. You just have to grind it out. Then that grind becomes a loop.

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ignoreme010101@reddit

sorry if I downplayed that it takes some real effort because it certainly does! I would say that it gets easier if you do it full time, my first year 24/7 OTR I was constantly fine-tuning my 'day to day' routines, adding 'tricks' (actually this never stopped i am still making lil changes all the time!)

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jaylew1981@reddit (OP)

I eat healthy and walk as much as I can, but none of it can replace the gym-rat lifestyle I once had along with the relationships I've lost.

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

Ya I mean it’s basically polar opposite of what you were doing. Do you have enough experience to get out and go local ? Am running line haul and pushing dolly’s around really kicked/s my ass. I sleep in my own bed every night and have my weekends off. It’s just nice to actually move.

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jaylew1981@reddit (OP)

3 more months and I'll have a yr under my belt. I'll be shooting for local before everything falls apart.

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No_Vacation369@reddit

Where you located. Most places around me ask for 6 months exp.

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jaylew1981@reddit (OP)

Vancouver, WA/ Portland, OR

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

Time slows down so much the closer you get to. If I was a betting man , I bet you got some depression issues going on. That’s will definitely break your dick, isolate you from friends / family. I see a therapist weekly, either in person or video/phone call. It helps.

Maybe take a few days and book an appointment with your primary care doc or psychiatrist. Maybe see a therapist and they can point you in the right direction.

Ultimately I think that’s leaving OTR.

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jaylew1981@reddit (OP)

I hopped on my job search right after I posted this bs. I am also forming a game plan with all of the items you listed above. There's no shame in my game about reaching out for help from this lifestyle.

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

Nah not at all dude. Take the help, make things easier. No reason to struggle and feel like shit when you may be able to avoid.

Fuck all the naysayers to. Tell them to hobble there ass back to there step stool to get in there cab.

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potodev@reddit

If you've gained 35lbs in less than a year, you are not eating healthy nor exercising enough. I've been OTR for 6 years and I've gained about 15lbs over that time.

It's hard to keep the weight off, but I'd suggest counting calories. Remember you're sitting all day, and probably only burning 1,000-1,500 calories a day driving. If you're still eating like a gym rat, you're going to get fatter real fast.

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

I gained 10 lbs , I would have the occasional hamburger but 80 % was oatmeal and loves salads 🤮

It’s crazy how fast it happens too.

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SomeMerc@reddit

This is why im trying to get a local gig delivering food. 5 years otr and gain about 25 pounds my self.

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xxenoscionxx@reddit

Ya am aged out of food service ( 46 ) so I went line haul / doubles/triples as a compromise in physical activity.

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adventureandlife137@reddit

Do a physical truck driving job. Pick up and Delivery at a LTL! They're local!

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CrashingTiger@reddit

Home every night LTL is your friend! Forget OTR.

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Kan-ka@reddit

I went dedicated got tired of OTR driving

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yolo_2345@reddit

Go local now stretch the dates on your resume if you must it happens to the best of them lol more mental then anything. Truckin will screw you up age you quicker then anything

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Theworkingman2-0@reddit

I always wonder do jobs even check the dates you worked

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yolo_2345@reddit

No one calls to check exact date

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Theworkingman2-0@reddit

Good to know

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ignoreme010101@reddit

do not sabotage yourself by thinking it's wise to lie about dates, they are most definitely checked, maybe not 100% but they are routinely checked lol

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Theworkingman2-0@reddit

I get that but how would it sabotage me? I’ll go on a do not hire blacklist?

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spyder7723@reddit

Yes. Not exact date, but down to the month and year. It's federally mandated and needs to be verified then suck in your pre hire file.

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Theworkingman2-0@reddit

Ok thanks for that

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NomadTruckerOTR@reddit

Imagine DOT writing you a violation for inproperly inspected "equipment" 😂

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jaylew1981@reddit (OP)

😂☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

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For food: try you best to get something somewhat healthy. If you go to Subway, skip the bread. Ask for a protein bowl.

Good luck

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Smegma-sniff@reddit

😂😂😂😂