It’s not easy to champion an active lifestyle, especially in these current times of restricted movement. Simply switching off the TV, putting on your pair of running shoes, and going out for a brisk walk or jog gets a lot more difficult every day. This leads to the emerging cases of weight-related diseases, which have not only affected humans but their pets as well.
In 2018, 56% of the nation’s dogs were considered overweight or obese. With this, going out with your dogs to shred a few pounds has never been important. Working out is a tough challenge, but you and your dog can face it together.
There are a lot of good effects on people when they workout with their dogs and vice versa, including better cardiovascular health and improved physical shape. You may not notice it, but exercising with your dogs is also a heartwarming experience that they appreciate a lot from you. To make things even better, you can reward them with healthy treats from Pet Honesty to complete a fun and tiring workout session.
Now’s the time to get off your couches and let your furry friends help you fight the flab. Check out these top reasons to start working out with your dog.
1. Dogs Boost Your Mood
Aside from a sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress is also another factor that causes a number of different problems in your cardiovascular, physical, and mental health. Luckily, dogs make an excellent workout partner. Their emotions are contagious, and their tail-wagging enthusiasm is just one evidence of that.
Simply having them around keeps stress at bay as they can help reduce the stress hormones in your body. This, in turn, can steady your blood pressure and heart rate, calming your feelings of fear and anxiety.
2. They Motivate You
Using your dog as motivation to exercise is a great way to get the calories burning. Dogs have a sharp memory. Try taking them out for a jog on a Monday morning, and repeat this at the same time on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they’ll surely wag their tails and anticipate to do this activity with you.
This being said, let that furry smile and enthusiastic panting push you to put your workout gear! Your dog’s restlessness and inbuilt energy will help you stay motivated to sweat out the calories, especially if you have contemplations of skipping your workout activities on a certain day.
3. Dogs Are Great Social Companions
Our dogs bring us a lot of opportunities for social interaction, especially in these difficult days. Let your four-legged furry friend start the walk for you. A weekly jog around the neighborhood or frequent play-fetch in the park with your dog encourages a healthy conversation and interaction with like-minded people outside.
You can also get more accomplished steps and some much-needed fresh air every day. If dogs naturally need to stay connected to the outside world to remain physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy, then so do you.
4. Furry Friends Don’t Flake Out
Getting a workout buddy that never flakes out is a good motivator to keep that energy running. Your dog will never weasel out of your workout sessions because their schedule of activities depends on you, too. The good thing is that since your dog lives with you, they won’t complain nor tell you that they won’t make it.
Unlike your human buddies that’ll undoubtedly fail you when their commitments get in the way, dogs are always ready to go out with you. They’ll never get bored or find something more interesting to do. When exercising with your dog, you’ll be able to push harder and stay consistent with your daily workout routine.
5. They Keep A Steady Speed
To maximize its health benefits, going out for a daily walk requires an active pace. Walking for about 15-17 minutes per mile is the best pace for you, and is considered a natural speed for dogs. This also encourages you to have a natural speedometer, which is far more amusing especially if you find that your dog is sniffing around on every corner.
However, if you see your dog pausing frequently, you’re probably going too slowly so try speeding up to keep them out of boredom.
6. It’s Free Of Charge
When your furry friend is running with you, there’s no need to spend a lot. Thus, working out with your dog saves money on gym memberships, weekly spin classes, and even on spending money on the latest fashionable exercise equipment.
Also, having a good run with your dog helps you escape the confines of crowded and sweaty gyms. Going out is also a great way to get some natural glow on your skin.
The bonus part? Instead of spending money, you’ll get paw-filled hugs and slobbery kisses!
7. Working Out Is Good For Them, Too!
Working out works for your dog, too! Just like you, dogs thrive on exercise because it makes them happy, healthy, and strong.
A few sweats with your dog will help keep their heart, lungs, joints, as well as their digestive and circulatory systems healthy. Exercising can also control their weight and expend energy. If you’ve ever noticed your dog zooming or racing extra fast around your house, then try to burn their excess energy by working out.
Since most dogs get easily bored, you can keep their not-so-fun behaviors under control when you bring them to your regular workout session. Exercise may distract them from destructive chewing, biting, and digging, helping calm their anxieties.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Treat
Overall, dogs make wonderful companions because they give you the motivation to get out and exercise. In addition, spending time with them feels more like playtime because it distracts you from constantly checking the calories you burned for the day.
But remember, it’s also important to go for a vet visit for your dog before bringing them to your exercise routine. Also, make sure that you’re both well-nourished, well-hydrated, and well-rested to get the most out of your daily health routine.
Working out is a win-win for both you and your dog because you’ll both come home exhausted and ready to cuddle up for a post-exercise nap. These tidbits of fun, sweaty moments with them are simply incomparable, and the activities you do together are physically and emotionally rewarding.
