My health journey started with an emergency room trip due to having pneumonia. It was there that the doctor told me I had to start watching what I put into my body. He also told my that my blood sugar was through the roof and that I had an A1C of 13.9, and the scale only goes to 15. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also sky-high which really opened the door to either start making healthier decisions, or be forced to quit the job I loved as a Prime driver, and possibly even worse if i didn’t get my blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control. The doctor recommended I look into the Keto diet. He said that if I followed it I would be able to lower my A1C and possibly even get off medication. I wasted no time and started doing research and began following the Keto diet immediately as of October 2017.

Once I began the Keto diet I took a little bit of a different approach than most people do. I didn’t really focus on my weight but instead decided to really hone in on lowering my blood sugar levels. Once I learned how to lower those sugar levels the weight started to fall off. Nowadays my number one priority is maintaining healthy sugar levels so that I can continue to be a Prime driver. I know if I don’t make my health a priority I might lose this job that I have grown to love so much since starting some 20 years ago.

Over the years I have learned some invaluable lessons about practicing health in my own life. Number one rule: Know that you are important! Don’t wait until a doctor scares you with some awful health news. Start taking steps in your health journey before it gets to that point. Rule number two; start slow. You will mess up. You will eat something you shouldn’t. But that’s all okay. Just remember to stay consistent by learning from your mistakes so that they are less likely to happen the next time around. Never be afraid to ask questions and ask for help, that’s what the Prime Driver Health and Fitness program is there for. Use the driver health program as a support team and you’ll start to see some amazing results. There are so many other drivers going through what you are, so just remember you’re not alone in this fight! Rule number three; get a plan. One thing I do nowadays is to schedule my meals. In the morning when I wake up I’ll pack my lunch and set it beside the seat. I don’t leave snacks beside the seat anymore, instead, I make it a priority to park and get up to get a healthy snack. This helps me get a little exercise and keeps me from mindlessly snacking throughout the day.

Love yourself enough to want to get healthier for your family, your kids, and yourself most importantly. The smallest changes can mean a world of difference. Don’t be too afraid or stubborn to reach out and ask for help. Food can be an addiction that we sometimes ignore, but trust me, we can break the cycle. My heaviest weight was 325 pounds and let me tell you when the weight started falling off I felt so much better. Plus, with the extra weight loss, I was able to get off the dreaded CPAP machine. I still have goals I’d like to hit with my weight, but I’m definitely better off than I used to be. Since October of 2017, I’ve lost a total of 118 pounds and am healthier and happier than ever before!

-Emily Plummer

Looking for some assistance with your health journey or for meal and workout inspiration? Check out our Prime Inc. Driver Health and Fitness program here: driverhealthandfitness.com.

Interested in driving for Prime? We’re one of the largest trucking companies in North America and are proud to say that we train and employ the best drivers in the industry.

In November of 2017, I was hired by UPS as a seasonal package delivery guy till December 15. During this time, I was delivering Christmas presents to families, while I couldn’t afford that for mine. It was difficult. When I told the UPS driver my story, he told me to look into trucking, that’s when the name PRIME INC popped up. PRIME has enabled me to support my family and plan the wedding that’s long overdue for my fiancée. And it has helped me to keep building on my non-profit- FC LASEP ACADEMY.

If I could give one piece of advice to a new driver, what would it be? The key word is patience! Patience! It takes time, but you will get there, as long as you are patient, dedicated and focused. There will be a lot of positive and negative stories around about trucking and compensation. Personally, I will say it is good to listen to them, but don’t let those stories change the goals you had in mind when you came to Prime Inc – that is financial freedom. You might not know now, but you will when can pay your bills on time and take your loved one to dinner without worrying about shortage of rent the day after.

-David Quenah (Prime Driver since Dec ’17)

Interested in starting your career as a truck driver for Prime? We’re one of the largest trucking companies in North America and are proud to say that we train and employ the best drivers in the industry. Apply now online or call our Recruiting Team at 888-664-9121.