Want to get fit? Try walking Fido for exercise

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

MSNBC

Tired of the gym scene? Man’s best friend can help, says 'Today' contributor Dr. Judith Reichman. Here she offers advice on dog walking for your health.

Q: I hate going to the gym. I feel like I'm in exercise hell and need a different, more humane, way of getting my body in shape. Do you have any ideas?

A: What about getting a dog? I'm not only giving this advice, I've followed it myself and it's made a huge difference in my exercise pattern.

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association states that there are 65 million dogs in U.S. households. They didn’t state how many of these households have doggy doors, but clearly many dogs and their owners live in urban areas that lack backyards. Most of us (with, perhaps, the exception of committed couch potatoes and those who do not hear, see, read or acknowledge the medical, media, and direct-to-consumer messages about cardiovascular risk factors and disease) know that we need 30 minutes of some kind of cardiovascular exercise a day to stay healthy and maintain minimal fittness. Walking, (when it's not merely strolling), fits that prescription and description. Moreover, we can receive the health benefits of exercise with as little as 10-minute “spurts," as long as they add up to that magic 30 minutes. So consider getting out there with a dog, walking him or her as fast as possible (in between bathroom privileges) so that you both get your exercise.

Clearly the larger the dog, the more briskly you'll walk, but that doesn't mean you need to own a 150-pound dog to get in shape. Small dogs love to run and often have more energy than their larger counterparts. My dog, Lucy, weighs around 45 pounds, she's a gorgeous standard poodle (even if I say so myself), and we walk at a nice pace for 30 to 40 minutes each morning, depending on how many other dogs we meet.

Lucy and I are not the only ones benefiting from our dog walks. A study from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, showed that dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes a week, versus 160 minutes a week for those who are doggy-less. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Sidney looked at the health benefits of sustained dog walking. They found that 9 percent of the coronary heart disease experienced by individuals in that part of the country could be prevented if dog owners walked their dogs for at least 150 minutes a week.

So put on your sneakers, get your dog leash (and dog), and start walking!

Dr. Reichman’s Bottom Line: The dog you walk will wag its tail, be a friend for life, and help maintain your health.

[Pugdawg1]

That's no lie. I started powerwalking with the pugs last January, watched what I ate but wasn't hardcore about it, and the pounds did melt off! I started bicycling as well as walking, and yet more pounds came off. Took six months but I lost, and so far have kept off, 57 lbs. So there is a whole lot of truth to that.

[pitbulliest]

I agree as well...if it wasn't for my dog, I would in no way be motivated to walk...overall, I tend to be a lazy person when it comes to exercise, but because I want to keep my pooch healthy and in shape, it forces me to do the same for myself..I walk about an hour and a half each day, and barely watch my diet...I eat like a cow lol...but I am quite fit and its definately the walking...

[shandoggy1]

Owning an Australian Cattle dog and living in the city equals 4 to 5 mile walks everyday faithfully But howcome I haven't lost any weight?....Oh yeah, I have to stop eating JUNK !

[MazieDog]

I agree -- this works. For the past month, I've been walking at least a mile a day with Mazie ... sometimes more. Just a few minutes ago, while I was coming up the stairs, my pants almost fell down... ... So you could say that getting a dog is great exercise, provided you take the time and actually go for walks. :P

[brandysmama]

I almost never walked around the neighborhood until Brandy came along. Granted, I still don't get out as much as I should, but it's a lot more than what I would do without her. I can motivate myself more by thinking, "Okay, she really needs a walk so she can work out that excess energy." In reality, I'm probably the one who needs it more, lol.

[Estie]

I agree!! A dog will get you out the door - and if you're too tired,,oh, well! They will give you the guilts if you just sit & watch TV!! We're on "2-a-days" with Cassy, English Springer Spaniel. Have lost 10 lbs!!
But a plus is that you meet alot of nice dog people!
Estie