Can dogs help you in losing weight? Yes, absolutely!
Bringing a dog home forces many pet parents to adopt disciplined routines and healthy habits. After all, try as you might, you just cannot circumvent your dog’s internal body clock.
For others, having a “buddy” makes all the difference between staying true to their exercise goals and giving up too soon. Several studies have confirmed that simply walking your pet more often can be more effective than trying a new diet plan or buying a gym membership.
Let’s explore how you and your pet can stay fit together.
Dogs For Weight Loss
Having trouble shedding those last few pounds? Can’t seem to motivate yourself to get on the treadmill? Well, the solution is right in front of you— your puppy. Dogs are the best personal trainers, motivators, and exercise coaches there can be.
Instead of hitting the treadmill, consider stepping outside with your dog!
We’ve got a few ideas that you can try!
Dog Walking
Can dog walking help you lose weight? Yes.
No matter what the latest diet trend says, the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise regularly. For most of us, that simply means stepping out of the house more often. And what better way to incorporate a consistent exercise regime than to pair it with your dog walk?
Thrice a day. Every day!
Are you now wondering, How much weight can I lose walking my dog?
Assuming you’re of average height, a simple brisk walk with your dog can help you burn upwards of 205 calories in an hour. Combine this with a healthy, balanced diet, and you should be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals!
And what if you’re not into brisk walks? Does walking the dog count as exercise? Experts at Harvard Medical School seem to think so!
Beyond the added benefit of routine exercise, adopting a puppy helps improve your mood, mental health, counters loneliness, and lowers your risk of several diseases such as high blood pressure and obesity.
Running With Your Dogs
An exercise regime is easier to stick to when it involves an activity we love. While some of us enjoy walking, others prefer running.
Unlike humans, dogs don’t discriminate when it comes to outdoor activities—whether it’s walking, running, playing fetch, or just watching the sunset from the park bench, your pet will be thrilled to accompany you.
So, if you’re the kind to unwind after a long day by going for a jog, why not take your dog with you? If you own dog breeds like Doberman Pinschers, Salukis, or Rhodesian Ridgebacks, they’ll make great runners and marathoners. If you have smaller breeds, do consult your vet to understand how much their bodies can tolerate before chalking up a running schedule.
A consistent running routine will help you and your dog stay in a healthy weight range!
Exercising With Your Dog
Incorporating your dog into your exercise regimen is a fun way to strengthen your relationship with your pet and lose weight. And though it sounds like a lot of work, it really isn’t. All you have to do is keep your dog’s energy levels and breed strengths in mind when planning your exercises. For instance, Huskies, Jack Russell Terriers, Pugs, and Dalmatians will happily join you for a yoga session. Retrievers, Water Dogs, Poodles even Spaniels make for excellent swimming partners.
Do dogs help with obesity?
Yes, they do! Instead of walking to the dog park and back, chalk out places, trails, hikes, and similar activities that will work as challenges for you and your dog. Want to switch things up? Integrate rollerblading, bike riding, and skateboarding into your exercise program to give it a fun twist of things to do with your dog.
Fitness Routine For Losing Weight With Your Dog
Can dogs help you lose weight? Yes! Besides the incidental exercise you get while playing around with your dog, a dedicated fitness routine will help you shed unwanted pounds. Why? Simple. Given a dog’s penchant for routines, you’ll not find a better workout buddy who will push you to exercise every day, even when you don’t want to.
As you stick to your fitness routine, do not be scared to try something new. Indulge in activities like swimming, short dog-friendly marathons, “doga,” or a backyard obstacle course to spice up your mundane exercise program. You are more likely to work out and burn calories when you involve your dog and experiment.
Your canine companion can provide the support and encouragement you need to shed those extra pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Assuming you maintain a leisurely pace of 2 mph and have average height and weight, you can burn over 200 calories per hour when walking your dog.
Walking your dog for weight loss means adopting a brisker pace and a longer route. Ditch your regular route and pick walking trails or hikes nearby that will help you stay out longer. If you want a challenge, opt for a trail with a steep incline or a set of stairs, as these require more effort.
Most people have trouble sticking to exercise routines and fitness goals. However, pet owners have a sense of obligation that forces them out of the house, making walking with their dog the most sustainable form of exercise. When done correctly (pace and duration), walking your dog can lead to weight loss.
Dogs are suckers for routine—they will pester you for that morning and evening walk. Scheduling your exercise with the dog walk will make it easier to stick to your fitness plan. Studies have also shown that, on average, dog owners walked 22 minutes more per day than non-dog owners. So yes, dogs can help people lose weight in several ways.
Conclusion
Losing weight does not have to be a chore. Enlist the assistance of your four-legged “buddy,” and you’ll finally make it off the couch long enough to get into shape.
Need ideas for what to do on your day off from exercise? How about a leisurely afternoon at the dog park? Before you pack that picnic basket, teach your dog to behave in a park so that your time together is nothing less than pure bliss.
