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02 Jul 2008 05:51 AM

Fitness Goes to the Dogs

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

Do you remember the scene in One Hundred and One Dalmatians when Pongo comments on how dogs and their owners often look the same? It's a mildly humorous statement, yet it can be accurate. Your dog may be a very accurate reflection of your personal health. If your dog is overweight, chances are he or she isn't getting enough exercise. Does that suggest that maybe you aren't getting enough exercise too?

The average pet owner that walks their dogs regularly is going to cover more ground than those who just hit the gym to work out. Studies suggest that dog owners walk about 650 miles per year - just when taking the dog out for a walk. The average gym member may cover about 450 miles per year on their treadmills. So, a dog owner already goes further, but is that enough?

Stick to It

There's an inherent stick-to-itiveness (yes, I made the word up) that comes from owning a dog. Your dog needs to go for a walk. Most often dogs need at least two walks per day to exercise them as well as to let them use the bathroom. Even if you split the detail with your spouse or other family member, you are 5 times more likely to stick to your daily routine of exercising than you are in going to the gym. Dog owners, according to some studies, return to their resting heart rates faster than their gym counterparts because they are used to the speeding up and slowing down that comes from walking the dog.

For example, when I walk my dog, he's bursting with energy when we first get out of the house and we move at a relatively fast pace. We slow down after the first five minutes or so, but the pace remains brisk for another ten to fifteen minutes. After that, we're walking at a more relaxed pace and by the time we get home, I am back at my resting heart rate without feeling the push of exertion.

Stress Reduction

We love our pets. They reduce our stress, they provide us with great companionship and they give us the ideal exercise partner - the question then becomes why not take advantage of man's (and woman's) best friend?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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