A NEW YEAR, A FRESH START

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76 – February, 2015

By William Given

If you have recently come to the realization that you have been skimping on even the most basic amount of exercise due to your job, family or other personal commitments, take heart; the New Year will soon arrive with guarantees of fresh starts for all of us. What better time to resolve that you and your canine companion will work together toward better health and fitness in 2015 and for the many years to come.

The bitter truth is, Americans continue to gain weight at an alarming rate, and our canine companions keep packing on the pounds right alongside us. Just like humans, a small percentage of dogs suffer from medical conditions like hypothyroidism. The result is often a slow but significant increase in body weight due to the adverse effect the disease has on the individual’s metabolism. But, for most people and dogs alike, it breaks downs to too many calories consumed, too few calories burned or both.

Medical research has linked obesity in humans to a wide variety of health concerns, including diabetes and heart disease. As it turns out, our dogs have a great deal in common with us. Although we do not have the same type of intensive studies with dogs, there is overwhelming evidence that overweight dogs have an increased risk of diabetes, heart failure, respiratory disease and a number of orthopedic complications.

Maintaining a healthy weight requires a well-balanced diet and daily exercise for both humans and their canine companions. Committing to a get healthy program with your dog as your exercise buddy might just be your key to securing the motivation and encouragement that are so very necessary for achieving weight loss and fitness success.

Eating Healthier in 2015

Although dogs and their owners may both benefit from the same exercise program, changing to a healthier diet poses bigger problems for humans than it does for their canine companions. Changes such as making proper food choices, establishing portion controls and adopting a regular meal pattern become absolutely critical.

Commercially formulated premium dog foods provide our canine companions with a well-balanced diet. So for dogs, the major problem boils down to excessive consumption. Some owners believe it is okay to keep the food bowl full. Some people maintain an unhealthy relationship with their dog that involves food; food provides them with a feeling of comfort and they transfer that feeling to their dog.

A great many dogs are food motivated and we use that to our advantage especially during training sessions where enticement with food really helps achieve the desired results. However, many owners simply dole out far too many treats far too often. It is important for us all to remember just how much those treats add up.

Should you visit any big-box pet supply store, you will most certainly discover a perplexing plethora of dog foods especially formulated for a dog’s different stages of life, from puppy to senior, activity levels and health conditions.

However, before you redesign your canine companion’s diet, it would be wise to consult your veterinarian. This is of significant importance should your dog have allergies, possess a heart condition or liver disease. Your vet can provide you with an accurate appraisal of your dog’s overall physical well-being and that is much more reliable than simply taking his weight into consideration. Your vet can also provide you with instructions on the safest manner to make diet changes, including the benefits of converting to a prescription or organic diet and adopting an exercise program appropriate for your dog’s physical and medical status and, of course, his breed.

Most commercially prepared dry foods are balanced to help dogs maintain their weight while, at the same time, provide the proper amount of vitamins and minerals. If you choose to simply cut back on the amount of food you give your dog, you could quite possibly be putting your canine companion on the path to experiencing a nutritional deficiency. It would be much more practical to make diet changes including the elimination of table scraps, using a measuring cup to accurately measure out his kibble, and reward him with more verbal and physical praise and fewer treats.

Even if you are certain that your canine companion is receiving a well-balanced diet and in the proper amount, and is receiving an adequate amount of exercise, it is okay to admit that you yourself could use some work. You and your canine companion can still ring in the New Year with a couple of eat healthy and get fit resolutions.

Getting Fit in the New Year

Getting fit, naturally, means exercise and yes, exercise requires effort. But, not as much effort as you might think. Just walking helps you and your canine companion shed excess pounds and maintain a healthy body weight.

Increasing your activity level can be energizing and is an effective way to negate the pattern of excess calories in, minimal calories burned trend you and your canine companion may have been living with. Exercise causes the burning of calories and results in building muscle tone.

If you are noticeably out of shape, starting on an exercise program may initially seem a bit daunting, but the longer you stick with it, the easier it gets, and the better you and your dog will feel physically, mentally and emotionally. For you, exercise will serve to reduce stress and provide you with a sense of rejuvenation. The proper amount of physical activity will improve quality of life for you and your dog.

To receive the full measure of benefits from an exercise program, you must make it a priority in your life. It is important that you choose a practical exercise routine and you have to build it into your busy schedule. Most experts recommend that you exercise first thing in the morning. Consider it a physical fitness appointment you set for yourself and your dog. That way your exercise opportunity does not get crowded out by your day’s other activities and obligations.

Taking two robust walks every day with your dog is a great start, but even a single walk of 20 to 30 minutes will show positive results in a surprisingly short period of time. And, it does not have to be just you and your canine companion. Walking is a great way to spend time with your family, so include your spouse or significant other and the children.

Walking ranks as one of the best fitness workouts that you and your dog can do together. If you and your dog are novice exercisers, you will find walking a good way to burn calories, to unwind together, and get fit while avoiding significant stress on your joints. Another benefit of walking with your canine companion is that you are likely to meet other people and their dogs, so for you both it will become a social outing.

If you want to lose weight and get fit, but you have experienced some difficulties getting started together, resolve to adopt a lower calorie diet (maybe even locally grown and GMO free) and take your dog on a brisk 30 minute walk daily. Ask your canine companion if he is ready to go for his walk, show him his leash, and you will find him a dedicated and motivated exercise partner. Chances are high that you will not experience any problems keeping your New Year’s resolution this year.

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Posted by ralbee on Feb 9 2015. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.