dog-related stories
Do You Work Out With Your Dog?
Is your best friend of the furry variety? Those playful pals can actually be a great boon to your workout. But, as Liz Neporent told us, more than 50 percent of the 60 million dogs in the U.S. are considered overweight. With that statistic, it seems like our bad habits are rubbing off on our dogs more than their active natures are rubbing off on us.
If you have a dog or two, don't train them to be couch potatoes. Not only will a sedentary lifestyle affect their health (and ultimately, your vet bills), but you're also missing out on a chance for the best exercise partner. Most dog breeds have unflagging energy and will be right by your side while running, biking, or just going for a walk.
Besides, if you've got a little pooch around your belly, your pooch might be able to help you work that off.
If you have a dog or two, don't train them to be couch potatoes. Not only will a sedentary lifestyle affect their health (and ultimately, your vet bills), but you're also missing out on a chance for the best exercise partner. Most dog breeds have unflagging energy and will be right by your side while running, biking, or just going for a walk.
Besides, if you've got a little pooch around your belly, your pooch might be able to help you work that off.
Doggie Duathlon: Race With Your Pooch
Sometimes, the best running partners come with four legs. Those of you who routinely run with man's best friend are already aware of this. However, did you know that there are races just for dogs and their owners?Active.com has plenty of suggestions for races where you can strut with your mutt. All over the country, the Dog Run Dog 10K/5K gives dog owners a chance to cross the finish line with their favorite workout buddies, but there are loads of other opportunities all over the country. If you don't see anything near you on this list, check with your local track club, or with the nearest veterinary medicine school -- they might have more information.
Now, as exciting as this is, you have to remember that dogs are affected by the sun and summer temperatures just as much as you are, if not more (just imagine running a 5K wearing a fur coat!). Keep these safety tips in mind during your training and on race day so that you and Fido both make it safely to the finish:
Can Your Dog Do Squats?
Lots of us go running with our dogs, or count on them to get us up and walking in the mornings. You can definitely get a bit of a workout tossing the tennis ball or Frisbee around with your pup. Heck, there's even dog yoga. But that's as far as a workout with man's best friend can go, right?
Wrong!
Check out this video of a man and his pooch doing a synchronized workout. The dog might have better form than half the people at your gym!
Check out this video of a man and his pooch doing a synchronized workout. The dog might have better form than half the people at your gym!
Paw Nation - Fit for Fans of Fur Everywhere
Maybe you have a fit Fido of your own, or, maybe you've got a furry bundle of joy who likes to lick you like crazy when you get back from the gym (you know, to reward you for all of your hard work). Or, perhaps you have a fluffball who likes nothing more than to cuddle on the couch, and thinks fitness is for the birds (heck, maybe you're a bird person -- I don't know your life!).
Whether you have pets or just love animals, there's a new site you need to check out -- our new sister site, Paw Nation, is live and it is fantastic. There are adorable slide shows, great tips and advice and, of course, some celebrity scoop (what site would be complete without it?). So, once you've checked out all the new diet and fitness news here at That's Fit, head on over to Paw Nation. Smiling and laughing burn calories, right?
How Fido Helps You Get Fit
Those of us with canine companions know that getting a dog is hard work -- but not only is it emotionally rewarding, having a dog helps you get fit too. Singer Fergie and her new husband Josh Duhamel know -- they're about to adopt a third pooch into their fur family. And obviously it's working for them. Yes, Fido helps you get fit, according to this article. And I believe it because here's the thing about having a dog -- you have to walk it. Which means you have to walk. Every day. I dog sat for a couple of months in the summer and it helped me get in even better shape because I had this gigantic ball of energy barrelling up and down hills that I had to follow.
I'm not saying you should get a dog just as an exercise device. But if a pooch is in the cards for you, don't fear the daily walks -- they'll do you a world of good.
Doga - Martha Says, "It's a Good Thing"
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation
On Martha Stewart's show yesterday, she focused on stress relief techniques, and one really hit home with me -- doga, which, as you might've guessed, is yoga with your dog. A year or so ago, a friend of mine gave me a Doga book, but really, it was just for laughs, not to teach any real skills.Anyway, on Martha, there was a doga expert showing off some of the moves. The only problem is that the moves had to be done with a very small dog ... and both of mine are around 60 pounds. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to raise either of them over my head while in Warrior One and still, you know, breathe.
Still, I love the idea of joining together two of these stress relieving activities -- yoga and cuddling with puppies. And, there are ways to modify doga if you have a larger canine, like me -- check them out here!
Biking With Your Dog
I love my English Bulldog. I really do. But a walk around the neighborhood is the most I can expect of him. And if I go too far, I run the risk of him plopping down on the sidewalk and refusing to go any further. But I know a lot of people have the opposite problem -- dogs with more energy than their owners know what to do with.
Taking your dog with you while you're biking is a great way to get some of that excess energy out of your dog, which leads to a happier (and hopefully less destructive) dog at home. Plus, you're getting some exercise and you're both having a great time. It's a win-win situation for you and man's best friend.
You have to keep safety in mind with biking with your dog. Just holding your dog's leash while biking isn't safe for either of you. Bike attachments like the WalkyDog let you keep both hands on the handlebars while keeping your dog at a safe distance from your bike.
Lo Bosworth - Which "Hills" Costar Would She Switch Bodies With?
Celebrity Fitzness Report, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products
Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.
The Hills season finale on December 22 is quickly approaching on MTV, and I was able to catch up with reality star Lo Bosworth for a quick interview. To find out how she stays in shape and what her "realities" are while starring on this hit show, read on.
Fitz: How'd you end up on The Hills? What goes in to that?
Lo: Well, I started out on Laguna Beach back in high school. Then I went away to college. I was at UCSB and I transferred to UCLA my junior year. That was when Lauren and I were able to spend more time together. So I started going out a little bit and sometimes they would be filming. And then at some point, the producers just asked me to re-join the show.
Fitz: You're on a reality show but not necessarily a "performer" in Hollywood. You're supposed to be "real," but do you feel tons of pressure to be thin, beautiful and well dressed all the time?
_thumbnail.jpg "Will Lo launch her own fashion line?")
_thumbnail.jpg "Dog walking is great exercise for Lo.")
Will Lo launch her own fashion line? Read on!
Obesity Saved This Dog's Life
While we would never advocate obesity, being abnormally rotund proved to be a life-saver recently for one lucky canine companion. Jiffy, a 120-pound border collie, nearly froze to death in his hometown in Wisconsin but was saved by excess layers of fat, which kept him warm overnight while he braved single-digit temperatures. It was so cold that the poor guy had to have warm water poured over him to unstick him from the sidewalk. Animal shelter officials admitted that not many pets can survive those types of conditions without extra pounds.
This isn't to say you should let you dog get fat -- you could face jail time if you do. Here's a better suggestion: Let the dog inside if it's well below freezing outside. I, for one, sure hope the Wisconsin authorities are looking into why poor Jiffy was left outside.
(via Calorie Lab)
How 'Scrubs' Star Sarah Chalke Stays Slim
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Sarah Chalke, best known for her work on Scrubs, has always been slender on-screen, but she doesn't look that way by accident, especially now.
After turning 30, Chalke says, "I had to really keep up with working out. You can't get lax about it anymore." At 32, she's looking as great as ever, so it seems she's figured out what she's got to do.Apparently, what she has to do is mix up her workout. "If I do one thing I would get way too bored," admits Chalke. And so, she shakes it up, hiking with Lola, her chocolate lab, doing yoga, and sweating it up with boot-camp workouts.
How about you? Did you notice a change in your metabolism at a certain age?
Obese Pet? You Could Face Jail Time
Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Overfeeding your child is fairly serious -- some even feel it's a form of abuse. Now animal rights groups are saying the same thing ... about your pets. And the government in the UK agrees -- according to the Daily Mail, new controversial rule under the animal welfare act could have serious consequences for pet owners who don't put their fat animals on a diet. Overfeeding pets is a 'serious welfare concern' and can lead to suffering, according to the new law. Therefore, people who allow their pets to become dangerously obese can face fines of around $30,000 or even up to a full year in jail. There's no word on whether similar laws could be adopted here in North America, but maybe they should be. After all, if you can't give your pet the necessary amount of exercise, maybe you shouldn't have one.
Too harsh? What do you think?
Worried about a child's BMI? Get a dog
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Most parents are used to hearing a constant, whining plea for a dog from their children -- and most stick to the old standby answer of No, insisting it's too much responsibility. But parents, maybe it's time to change your tune. New studies out of Australia show that kids raised with a canine companion are 50% less likely to be overweight or obese. Well, duh -- I probably could've told you that. The surprising part is this: According to the findings, it didn't matter if the kids walked the dog or not -- just playing with it was enough to keep the reading on the scale at a healthy number. That's not to say you shouldn't make your kids walk the dog -- it's great exercise and it's a good lesson in responsibility.
Worried about your little one walking alone? Make it a family affair and walk with them. Getting a dog out of the question? Go for a daily walk anyway. The bottom line is this: Just get your kid moving.
Nick Jonas has a new exercise buddy
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Nick, the youngest of the Jonas Brothers, just received the cutest birthday present ever -- a puppy he named Elvis. He was spotted out and about walking his new best friend. Nick works hard to keep his diabetes in control, so I'm sure the future walks and runs with his dog will be a welcome addition to his exercise routine.Do you have a dog? Dogs can be a great motivator for exercise. Even if you've had a long day at work and the last thing you want to do is exercise, it's hard to say no to those pleading puppy dog eyes. In fact, statistics show that dog owners cover more ground than your typical gym-goer.
If you're thinking of getting a dog, be sure to choose a breed that suits your lifestyle. Most breeds (including my lazy English Bulldog) are thrilled to go for a stroll around the neighborhood. But if you're looking for a dog who will willingly join you for a run or bike ride, be sure to choose a longer-legged, energetic breed.
Burn 100 gym-free calories
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Men's Health
When we move around, we burn calories. When we we are inactive, we still burn calories, but nearly as many. It stands to reason, then, that getting off our butts is a key component to weight loss. Joining a fitness center is a great way to make this happen, but some people feel like they stick out in gyms more than Paris Hilton would at a Mensa convention. Fortunately, it's entirely possible to torch some calories from the comfort of your home. Here's a look at how.
Get down for 15 minutes. Pop in your guiltiest of pleasures and dance around your living room like it's your last day on earth. The good news is that you probably have many, many more days ahead of you, and that you just burned 112 calories.
5 things to be happy about right now
Stress Reduction, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
I just stumbled upon an inspiring little list in the May 2008 issue of Redbook magazine. It consists of five things to be happy about right now. Since the items are somehow connected with health and wellness, I thought I'd share them here – and tell you why you should be happy about them too.
- Fresh, locally grown veggies -- Fresh vegetables are key for a well-balanced diet. Get them local -- grow them in your back yard, even -- and ditch all pesticides too. Your body will thank you.
- May flowers -- Are there health benefits to flowers? You betcha. Flowers offer restoration and respite from mental stress. And they help us connect with the natural world. Want more? Visit this post.
- A dog's little wagging tail -- Dogs are feel-good pets who love us unconditionally. They can also help curb kids' allergies and can even assist on your next fitness hike.
- Picking up the mail and finding an old-fashioned letter -- Time to turn off your computer and get back to basics -- like reading a real letter, written on real paper. If one doesn't turn up in your mailbox, find an old note you've saved. Or better yet, write one and mail it to a loved you. You'll boost your recipient's spirits and your own too -- journaling and writing have definite soothing qualities.
- Iced coffee -- Nowadays, coffee is more health food than hazard food. It contains antioxidants and the power to rev your metabolism too.
