Did you know that pet owners are among the healthiest folks on the planet? That’s right—regardless of whether your animal friend has scales, fur or feathers, that special relationship you share can help you decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, alleviate loneliness and depression, get you more active and even improve your social life. In fact, there is even a type of alternative medicine known as pet therapy, which uses animal companions as means for improving bonding skills and managing stress.
Considering these benefits, it might not come as a surprise to learn that having a pet can be a huge boon for your medical weight loss plan, but one type of pet in particular makes the optimal weight loss buddy. You guessed it—man’s best friend, the canine.
When you get home from work and are feeling exhausted, a dog is there to brighten your day and boost your energy, wagging his fluffy tail until you have no choice but to go outside and play. Other workout buddies may flake or falter, but Fido never will.
Your dog faces the world with tireless optimism, excited by every new smell, sight and sound. He’ll be excited to come with you on just about any excursion, whether you’re headed out for a swim, hike, bike, run or walk. You may feel your motivation start to waver, but your dog will keep pulling you ahead, eager to tackle the next challenge you face together.
If you have a dog and haven’t yet enlisted his help as a workout buddy, you may not be taking advantage of a powerful tool in your medical weight loss arsenal. Of course, you first need to make sure your pup is ready for serious physical activity before bringing him or her with you on workouts—just like a human, your dog may need to gradually build up strength if he or she hasn’t been regularly active.
Once you and your buddy are ready to go, have some fun with these great doggie workouts:
- Take a dive. Rivers, lakes, oceans, pools, hoses, dirty puddles—many dogs seem to like just about anything that will get them wet. Going for a dip with your pooch can be a great workout for both of you. Splashing around will be good fun and great exercise: you’ll burn about 500 calories an hour while swimming and the support of the water around you can prevent joint pain as you build strength.
- Throw something. For most dogs, it doesn’t matter what the object is—chuck it as far as you can and watch your doggie chase it. A Frisbee or tennis ball may get the most enthusiastic response, but a good old fashioned stick works wonders as well. Because you won’t have much luck getting your dog to throw back to you, burn a few more calories by chasing your dog to the object each time you throw it.
- Take a hike. With so many interesting smells around, there’s a near-certain chance that your dog will absolutely adore the wilderness. Whether it’s the one-mile loop at a neighborhood park or a lengthy backpacking excursion, your dog will love the thrill of the wild—and you’ll burn up to 1,000 calories in an afternoon on the trail. Added bonuses: working out in nature can improve your concentration, reduce stress and boost your vitamin D levels. Just make sure your dog has the proper flea and tick treatment before setting out into the woods.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and while each of them can be an exerciser’s best friend, the smaller the dog the more intense a small amount of activity will be on their short limbs. If you aren’t ready to make a dog a part of your family, ask close friends, neighbors and relatives if they mind letting their dogs get a little exercise with you. This way, you get the benefits of a furry fitness friend and they get the peace of their pup being dog-tired after a day of strenuous activity!
How have your pets helped during your medical weight loss program? Share your experiences, tips and questions with us in the comments below.
