Years ago I picked up a gambling habbit I love the slots.  Seems like nothing makes me forget about the stresses of the road like an hour at the slots.  Unfortunately this hobby also was taking a toll on my ability to save money.  I was at a loss to find a way to "outsmart" my gambling habbit.  I tried only taking a hundred cash but sure enough id find myself popping a 20 into the slot machine in a truck stop in oregon or montana.  Next thing you know id be broke and calling my girlfriend to wire me some more money from my bank account so i could eat.  taking my debit card on the road was a big mistake too.  I once lost several thousand dollars in a single night,  while laid over next to an indian casino in oregon.  Then one day I walked into a casino with only my lowly Sears Mastercard.  I handed it to the guy in the cage and waited for him to run it for 200.00 he came back "sorry sir, your card has been declined"  What? I keep all my cards paid off and have excellent credit.  I called the sears credit help number and they told me that my card could not be used in casinos.  I was pissed... I ranted and raved and then  I did something I had never done before...I walked out of a Casino without having spent a dime.  I couldnt even call my girlfriend and tell her to western union me cash because my excuse that I needed the cash to eat wouldn work,  I still could use my credit card to buy food or anything else I just couldnt use it to gamble. (remember, if you DO get a sears card DONT call and have them mail you the pin #, this will defeat the purpose!!!!)  Well my anger quickly wore off followed by relief...I finally had found a tool that would keep me from gambling on the road.  I also like the fact that by being a member of the Sears rewards program I earn points that I can spend at sears and other businesses I own a very nice Nikon SLR Camera now and have a couple of ipod classics paid for by my purchases with my sears card.  Last night I decided to walk to Hooters.  After some wings and an ice cold beverage I sauntered over to the Casino and handed my Sears card to the Cashier he ran the card and then with an apologetic look said "sorry Sir,  your card has been declined.  Would you like me to run it again for you?"   No Thank You,  I replied with a smile,  "They are only doing their job"....".have a good night."    highwaym

4-20-11 new addition to post:  I unfortunately fell off the vegetarian diet because it was too time consuming and I love eating out.   I eventually gained even more weight (354 pounds at my heaviest)  I am all for a healthy vegetarian diet but I found a system that works even better for me and doesnt rely on any one particular type of food!!!  I eat whatever type of food I like and am currently down to 307!!  I blog about it here http://www.healthtrucker.com


Old Post:
I love to eat.  There is no better way in my opinion to reward ones self for a hard day over the road than a good sit down meal.  Preferably at a top notch restaurant.  Unfortunately those meals where taking a toll and I ballooned up to 340 lbs. With the weight came Pre-Diabetes, High Blood pressure, and  Sleep Apnea. Then I started to have Panic attacks and I knew it was time to make a change. I tried quite a few things but it wasn't until I went vegetarian "oh yeah, and started taking the Metformin my Doctor had prescribed for me"  that I  met with success.  In five weeks I lost thirty pounds.  What has been really amazing though is that even though I fell off of my Vegetarian Diet I still have kept most of the 30 lbs off that I originally lost.  That is where the Metformin may be helping, also I still bring fresh fruits, nuts and veggies with me on the truck.  I will blog more tonight about some of the things that have been helping me on the health battle.  Untill then "Eat a Grape" Peace  Highwaym.