Thick Texas State Troopers Forced To Shape Up

The obesity epidemic in this country has not missed our law enforcement officers in Texas. Documents recently obtained by the Dallas Morning News show that at least 200 troopers need to slim down by the end of the year or face disciplinary actions from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Being a little plump might affect your police work, but for some troopers, it could change their employment status. Officers that don't reach their weight loss goals could be denied promotions and overtime or removed from current duties.

They are requiring that all troopers maintain a waistline of 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women. That is a mark that many of us in the general public could not reach in a short amount of time.

Texas State Troopers Have Until December To Lose Weight

I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I can understand the issues that these officers are facing.

Luckily my personal struggles didn't include me possibly losing my job. If some of these officers have a lot of weight to lose, doing it quickly isn't healthy. 

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Troopers spend long hours on the road, and I've heard many times that sitting is the new smoking. They also eat out a lot, so the fare offered in restaurants in Texas is partly to blame.

Finding Healthy Food On The Road In Texas Is A Struggle  

Health food is a dirty word in Texas, so if these officers are trying to lose weight I would offer the following advice. Invest in a meal prep service or prep your own food to eat on the job.

You might have to carry your lunch with you to work, but in the long run it will improve your health. Cutting out sugar, salt, fat, and oils from your diet and eating lots of healthy carbs from fruits and vegetables is easier when you eat what you bring with you.

We need as many officers as we can get right now in the State of Texas, and I really hope this plan doesn't result in any officers actually losing their jobs. They don't get paid enough for what they do, and this is going a bit too far.