That’s right, a major opportunity to become just a bit more fit is right there at your feet. The next time you’re looking for a little inspiration and need a motivated work out partner to get you going, you’ll probably find the perfect solution right there next to you, tail wagging, ready to take you for a nice long walk. No matter the time of day our canine friends are up to the task. You’ll find them more than willing to lead you around the neighborhood doubling as your enthusiastic personal tour guide while constantly pointing out the sights and smells, especially the smells of your little community. Your newly appointed coach will enthusiastically lead you along while you, at first huffing and puffing, slowly whip yourself back into shape.
Walking is an excellent low intensity form of exercise and it’s great for your heart, for toning and strengthening your legs and steadily building up your endurance and stamina. As your conditioning and pace improves you will also start removing those unwanted pounds you’ve been noticing, which is your ultimate reward for your dedication, persistence and hard work. Sometimes though we need a little additional motivation and let’s face it, dogs love to go for walks, the longer the better as far as they’re concerned. I mean the next time you’re driving along on a nice day check out all the human/dog walking teams and I guarantee you the dogs will all be adorned with big smiles on their faces. Their human tag team partner’s expression will be somewhere between happy and smiling to grim determination as they struggle to keep up with their highly energetic companions. Dogs also have no problems with multi-tasking, so besides being your Personal Fitness Coach they’ll happily take on the additional roles of Social Interaction Expert and as discussed earlier your friendly Neighborhood Tour Guide. You don’t even need to increase their salaries although a well placed scratch, and the occasional biscuit is greatly appreciated.
Becoming more fit means you will have more energy for your job and plenty left over to enjoy your family when you get home. It means fewer health issues and you’ll look and feel better about yourself both personally and professionally. Then there are all the additional benefits that the hard working, multi-tasking dog will provide. Are you a little shy when it comes to meeting new people? No problem, because your dog isn’t and they will joyfully introduce you to lots of new people and not a few great dogs. They’re regular social butterflies with “Packs are good” attitudes! There’s also the laughter they’ll provide as they enthusiastically go about living life in the moment. It’s been proven that laughter is as beneficial to your health as the forty five minute walk you just completed. I defy anyone to stifle at least a small smile if not totally crack up when watching man’s best friend go through the highly ritualistic Potty Spot Dance. There’s the sniff and careful circling of a potential dumping zone, a re-check of the preferred location, some additional sniffing and one final grand circle to double check location and distance to aiming point. Finally, satisfied that this is indeed “The Spot,” there’s the awkward squat with the “Bombs Away” look on the face. Sure you have to pick it up, but wasn’t it worth the laugh you got watching the contortions and silly facial expressions. Come on, it was worth it wasn’t it?
Finally there’s one more great benefit and that’s the health and fitness of your willing and loyal companion. While you were whipping yourself into shape, your dog was doing the same, along with always keeping a wary eye out for you. Sadly our four legged friends will only live to be maybe twelve or thirteen years old before they leave us. A dog that’s been lovingly cared for and properly exercised means a healthy, active older dog, rather than an overweight, arthritic one with all the accompanying health issues. You see, it’s a team effort! While your new coach is helping you get fit, you’re doing the same for him and let’s face it, a well exercised dog is also a tired dog and as the old saying goes, “A tired dog is a good dog.” I mean look, isn’t your Yellow Lab just beautiful lying over there in front of the fire place snoozing away? Why it’s a picture right out of an outdoor magazine and when they’re asleep they’re not chewing on your shoes or knocking over the garbage can. So go grab your four legged best friend and get out there and go for a walk. Here are a few helpful tips to guide you along:
· Buy a Fanny Pack and secure the dog’s leash to the Fanny Pack. This means your dog, especially if he or she is big and robust, will be connected and controlled by your torso. This will be much easier on you and the dog will be unable to twist you into a human pretzel when it smells an especially aromatic smell. This is especially beneficial if you’re smaller in stature, for instance a small female with a big male dog.
Walking is an excellent low intensity form of exercise and it’s great for your heart, for toning and strengthening your legs and steadily building up your endurance and stamina. As your conditioning and pace improves you will also start removing those unwanted pounds you’ve been noticing, which is your ultimate reward for your dedication, persistence and hard work. Sometimes though we need a little additional motivation and let’s face it, dogs love to go for walks, the longer the better as far as they’re concerned. I mean the next time you’re driving along on a nice day check out all the human/dog walking teams and I guarantee you the dogs will all be adorned with big smiles on their faces. Their human tag team partner’s expression will be somewhere between happy and smiling to grim determination as they struggle to keep up with their highly energetic companions. Dogs also have no problems with multi-tasking, so besides being your Personal Fitness Coach they’ll happily take on the additional roles of Social Interaction Expert and as discussed earlier your friendly Neighborhood Tour Guide. You don’t even need to increase their salaries although a well placed scratch, and the occasional biscuit is greatly appreciated.
Becoming more fit means you will have more energy for your job and plenty left over to enjoy your family when you get home. It means fewer health issues and you’ll look and feel better about yourself both personally and professionally. Then there are all the additional benefits that the hard working, multi-tasking dog will provide. Are you a little shy when it comes to meeting new people? No problem, because your dog isn’t and they will joyfully introduce you to lots of new people and not a few great dogs. They’re regular social butterflies with “Packs are good” attitudes! There’s also the laughter they’ll provide as they enthusiastically go about living life in the moment. It’s been proven that laughter is as beneficial to your health as the forty five minute walk you just completed. I defy anyone to stifle at least a small smile if not totally crack up when watching man’s best friend go through the highly ritualistic Potty Spot Dance. There’s the sniff and careful circling of a potential dumping zone, a re-check of the preferred location, some additional sniffing and one final grand circle to double check location and distance to aiming point. Finally, satisfied that this is indeed “The Spot,” there’s the awkward squat with the “Bombs Away” look on the face. Sure you have to pick it up, but wasn’t it worth the laugh you got watching the contortions and silly facial expressions. Come on, it was worth it wasn’t it?
Finally there’s one more great benefit and that’s the health and fitness of your willing and loyal companion. While you were whipping yourself into shape, your dog was doing the same, along with always keeping a wary eye out for you. Sadly our four legged friends will only live to be maybe twelve or thirteen years old before they leave us. A dog that’s been lovingly cared for and properly exercised means a healthy, active older dog, rather than an overweight, arthritic one with all the accompanying health issues. You see, it’s a team effort! While your new coach is helping you get fit, you’re doing the same for him and let’s face it, a well exercised dog is also a tired dog and as the old saying goes, “A tired dog is a good dog.” I mean look, isn’t your Yellow Lab just beautiful lying over there in front of the fire place snoozing away? Why it’s a picture right out of an outdoor magazine and when they’re asleep they’re not chewing on your shoes or knocking over the garbage can. So go grab your four legged best friend and get out there and go for a walk. Here are a few helpful tips to guide you along:
· Buy a Fanny Pack and secure the dog’s leash to the Fanny Pack. This means your dog, especially if he or she is big and robust, will be connected and controlled by your torso. This will be much easier on you and the dog will be unable to twist you into a human pretzel when it smells an especially aromatic smell. This is especially beneficial if you’re smaller in stature, for instance a small female with a big male dog.
· Make sure you’re equipped with good shoes, preferably walking shoes or cross trainers. Good shoes will absorb plenty of the shock while you’re walking and that’s good for your ankles, knees, and hips. If you have been walking over a period of time and all of a sudden you notice that you’re knees or hips are starting to get a little sore, it probably means the shoes are wearing out and they need to be replaced.
· Wear reflective clothing in the evening so that the ever present motorist can clearly see you. You can even purchase reflective collars and leashes at your favorite pet store and in that way you and your four legged mate are lit up like a ship in the night for everyone to see. But please, spare them the goofy, cutesy clothing remembering that they also take great pride in their appearance and don’t wish to be elves or reindeer.
· Make sure the Fanny Pack has a water bottle for you, a couple of treats for your Fitness Coach to use when teaching him or her some good walking manners like heeling at intersections or not jumping up on people and most important, plastic bags to clean up after your four legged pal.
I hope this has been helpful and I do encourage you to get out there and walk with your best friend or friends. As a veteran of over 8,000 miles of trailing behind two happy behinds and their wagging tails I can tell you it is well worth it.
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