Canine & Human Fitness Together In One Class!
Easy Ways To Lose Weight For You And Your Dog
Eat. Sleep. Work. Workout. Repeat. Days are full and sometimes it’s hard to fit everything in. I am guilty of this myself.
Over the years I have gained a significant a amount of weight, and lost it, several times.
Ultimately or me I needed to return to a regular workout schedule, not just for my physical but also my mental health. Of course, that’s not the only thing that helped me get back to my healthy weight and mindset.
So, before sharing some easy ways to lose weight for you and your dog, I’d like to share my journey and what I’ve learned along the way.
Light Up Dog Leash and Other Night Safety Equipment Options
There are many options out there and we combine the use of several different ones.
The simplest way to look at your body, at least in terms of fitness, is that it is a machine. That’s kind of daunting though right?
Be Good To Your Body — It’s The Only One You’re Going To Get
It’s taken me awhile to learn this lesson. I was never “athletic”. A natural artist and theatre bum, I joined the freshman track team in high school for something different, only to quit after a month because it conflicted with the musical’s rehearsal schedule. That was my last venture in being physically active until my last year of college. To reduce stress, I found myself in the swing dancing club, taking kickboxing classes, and walking several miles a day. I also began taking meditation and breath work classes.
After graduation, I got a full-time art job and went out dancing almost every night. Quickly I dropped to my lowest weight. This was great but unrealistic. Soon came along a boyfriend, longer work hours, less dancing, and 30+ pounds. There was a lot of denial and excuses.
“I can’t believe these pants shrunk! I must have washed them in hot water.”
Unwilling to buy an entirely new wardrobe, I took a hard look in the mirror and recalled some key pieces of advice I had heard at a college seminar about wellness that I want to share with you.
3 Ways To Help You Lose Weight
Move More
You may not have time to work out every day but you can make choices that will help you burn some extra calories:
- Park at the back of the grocery store's parking lot
- Walk up the stairs to your office instead of taking the elevator
- Take a walk during your lunch break
Don’t Drink Your Calories
It’s time to get back to basics with your beverages.
Unless it’s water, it most likely has a fair amount of sugar or high fructose corn syrup (except for you straight-up black coffee drinkers out there).
Here’s a tip — If you don’t love water on it’s own, try infusing it with some cucumber, lemon, lime, strawberry, orange, peach, kiwi, and even mint.
Don’t Store It
What does that mean? It’s simple. If “it” is in your home, you’re going to eat “it”. Isn't that why you bought "it"? If “it” is there, you’re going to pick “it” over something like an apple.
What is “it”? “It” is anything that tempts you. Your weakness. Your guilty pleasure. Ice cream, potato chips, pop (I’m from the Midwest..so soda for everyone else), and even juice (high in sugar). Whatever “it” is for you, don’t store it.
That said, don’t deny yourself. Have "it" on occasion while you're out and about, but if there's anything left, toss "it" before coming home.
3 Ways To Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Move More
Your dog needs to move too! This can include:
- A walk 1-2 times a day
- Games like tug and fetch
- Strength training
High-Quality Food & Treats
There are lots of food and treat options out there that are packed with corn syrup and dyes.
Keep your pet healthy by feeding them the correct portion of high quality food and having them earn high quality treats.
Not only will they maintain an ideal weight but their coat, teeth, and internal organs will also be healthier.
Alternative Rewards
You don't always have to give your dog (typical) treats for a job well done. Maybe you'll luck out and they'll like carrots or apples.
What about a good game of tug as a reward? How about a nice scratch on the belly?
Yes, your dog loves food, but they don't have to get it all of the time.
Following these tips, in addition to cardio and strength training, always gets me back on track physically and mentally. Don’t get me wrong. It was and still is work but we all have to start putting ourselves first a bit more.
Of course, our four-legged companions can’t do this for themselves so it’s a good thing it’s a joy and honor to care for them, or at least it should be for most of us.
For me, when I adopted my dog, Berlin, in 2010 she naturally became my running buddy and I had a nice streak of keeping my body and health in check.
Feeling good, my boyfriend and I signed up for the 2012 LA Marathon. It was a great idea, but poorly executed. My strength training fell off the way-side and I developed a knee pain that affected my training. I completed the race but needed to recuperate from my injury. When my caloric burn suddenly dropped (running 30+ miles a week pre-race to maybe 12 post-race), and I randomly sprained my ankle, the number on the scale steadily rose. Unlike last time, I went with it.
There was even a day my boyfriend came home and I was eating cookie dough on the couch, with no intention of stopping.
I wasn’t even planning on cooking the dough to make real cookies. My boyfriend said sympathetically, “So that’s where we’re at?” My response was short. “Yep.” I was upset and I was wallowing. My body was hurting, I had put on weight again, and on top of it, my grandmother, who had helped raise me, had past away. It was a rough period, but it was time for a reality check.
I’m not perfect but I know what my best is and that was not it.
As I said before,
It’s about everyday choices that help you achieve long-term goals..and forgiveness.
Continuing to wallow was not making my mind or body feel any better. So, just like before, I picked a race to train for with Berlin, except this time, I knew to integrate manageable change. I incorporated more strength training and better eating patterns so that this pre-race training was a kick-start to maintaining long term healthy habits.
Life happens. You make mistakes. Hopefully, you learn from them. Sometimes your mind wins (because no one needs cookie dough) and you fall.
Just remember to get back up, do your best, and put yourself first.
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This Class Is Going To The Dogs!
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