2008.08.27
Walking the pooch can take off the pounds
According to an anonymous study cited in yesterday's "The You Docs" column by Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz, walking your dog for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, led to an average 14-pound weight loss in humans.
I am interpreting that as the only significant lifestyle change the folks in this study made. The column did not say how quickly the pounds fell off.
But The You Docs also added that the pooches got leaner and healthier, too. And I am inclined, against my usual journalist skepticism with unnamed "studies," to believe this particular factoid. Sounds both reasonable and encouraging.
I know we are very guilty at my house of letting the leashes collect dust and just turning our dogs out to our fenced-in backyard for bathroom breaks and exercise.
While I know our pooches get their aerobics on when they scamper through the yard, I also know all three of the furry maniacs could use some better leash manners. And every two-legged creature in my family could surely benefit from a good calorie burn through our hilly neighborhood.
How many of you take your dog on a regular romp through your 'hood? Does your pooch prompt you to action and get excited when he or she sees the leash? Have you noticed any heath benefit for yourself? Tones calves, smaller thighs, lower blood pressure? Share and discuss.
Our chocolate lab gets a 45-60 min walk twice a day. He jogs in the morning with me prior to running loose and playing with his two best friends before we head home. In the evening, he gets a nice leisurely stroll through the neighborhood. This not only helps to keep him fit and trim (like Jack Lalanne) but has helped my husband and I both trim up (not as much like Jack Lalanne yet!). I used to jog and got a wee bit lazy, but now that Charlie is around I am forced to haul my behind out of bed every morning and exercise. Another added benefit is that Charlie is worn out and is much calmer in the house, although he definitely still has the occasional insanely hyper, destructive moment!
Comment by Emily — August 27, 2008 @ 9:07 am
I take my dog out every day if possible for at least twenty minutes! It is a great workout for me too - she is like a workout buddy and will remind me!
Also, it helps a lot with her behavior (like Cesar Milan says!) she isn't as mischevious when she has gotten some exercise.
Comment by Michelle — August 27, 2008 @ 9:58 am
I take Cali for a 15-20 minute walk most evenings but we could both stand to walk longer. Once this oppressive Southern humidity starts to wane it will be easier to stay out longer!
She knows when I put on my tennis shoes in the evening that it is time to walk. You'd think the leash was the most exciting thing she'd seen all day - well - maybe it is! I had to get her one of those Gentle Leader leashes though because she'd pull my arm out of the socket on a normal leash. Now she walks like a respectable dog and not a wild animal!
Comment by Kim — August 27, 2008 @ 5:35 pm