"In the months after Doug Robinson started driving a truck, he noticed his clothes were increasingly more snug-fitting. He was already overweight but soon realized that spending up to 11 hours behind the wheel, frequently eating fast food and not exercising was a poor combination.

"When his employer, U.S. Xpress, took part in a weight-loss challenge sponsored by the Truckload Carriers Association, the 321-pound, 6-foot-1-inch Robinson signed up."

So begins a new AP story published this week about one driver's efforts to lose weight.

So far, AP reported, he's about 40 pounds into his goal of dropping 100. He stocks the truck's refrigerator with chicken, tuna and vegetables, and he's taking walks on trails near rest stops or just making laps around his truck.

As we reported in our August issue, AP notes there's an increasing momentum in the trucking industry to help drivers stay healthy, from fleet wellness and weight-loss programs to gyms being installed at truck stops.

"They did a very nice job with the story," says Greg Thompson, the PR person for U.S. Xpress. "It's a very positive story for the industry."

Read the AP story: "Push for Healthier Truckers Gains Momentum.

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7/12/2012 - Drivers, Fleets Seek Healthier Lifestyles