The company I work for has started the "fitness" thing also. When I went to that meeting in Nashville in January, they weighed us, checked out sugar and cholesterol and from the results, they sent us a suggested list of things for us to do.

They are doing this with everyone and the Captains have a very in depth physical they have to take from time to time. They are also encouraging us cooks to cook healthier and cut fat out of our reciepes where ever we can.

The reason thay are doing this is because of how we work, the main focus of most of the people out there is FOOD! Some people will gain 30 pound a trip. I use to gain 10 pounds per 28 day trip but would loose it when I was on my 28 off days since I was NOT use to eating 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. They have had people die out there from heart attacks and it was happening more and more. Just think about it... we are out there, up and down the river, out in the middle of nowhere and if someone has a heart attack, it takes sometimes HOURS for the company to get them to where they can get off the boats and get them to a hospital. (There is NO 911 on the river where you call and they are there in minutes)

Doing these physicals, they have sent people streight to the hospitals because they were only days away from a diabetic coma, days or minutes away from heart attacks or strokes. They have found some that had high seriously blood pressure and sugar levels and didn't have a clue. They don't just tell you these things but give you ways to correct it and have people that will work with you.

Our company also will pay for any/every thing you have to do to quit smoking. They know in the long run, that doing this will save them money in medical insurance and loss time at work.

Check out your favorite fast food for calories and fat here...
http://www.wafb.com/Global/link.asp?...av=menu57_10_2