Jonny Bowden, author, nutritionist and weight loss coach cuts through all the misconceptions about diet and fitness to help you transform your body, your health and your life.
If you happen to be the guardian (I hate the word "owner") of an animal, go to your kitchen and check the calories on the nutrition facts label for his food. I'll wait.

Back already? Surprise: There was no such nutrition facts label, was there? In fact, manufacturers never put the caloric content on the label of dog food or cat food. They do, however, tell you how many cups or cans to feed your animal companion, and guess what -- it's always more than they need. I think the exact same thing is going on with us two-legged folks.

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.

Source

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.

Source

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)

Source

We all know that some dog breeds are more energetic than others -- when's the last time you saw a dalmation that didn't want to run and jump and play? But, according to AOL Health, your pooch might actually give some insights into your personality.

As I clicked through the AOL Health gallery, I found quite a few assessments to be pretty accurate. I've never known anyone who owned an English bull dog who wasn't a bit of a clown, and most of the people I know who own chihuahuas are good at getting themselves into a bit of trouble.

Of course, this doesn't go across the board, but it did make me wonder what this means regarding fitness. I'm sure you've heard this famous phrase before: "If your dog is fat, you need more exercise." Aside from fat dogs, though, does your dog reflect your level of fitness? Check out the gallery to see what category your dog falls into, and let us all know in the comments whether that's accurate.

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.

Source

Volunteering at our local Humane Society and caring for a room full of rescued cats is keeping me and my little boys plenty busy and happy this summer. It may also be helping our hearts.

Researchers have found a correlation between cat ownership and a decreased risk of deadly heart disease. While we don't own our very own cat, we do engage in many of the tasks that cat owners practice. And so maybe, if we're lucky and keep at our community service project, we'll enjoy a 40% lower risk of one day dying from a cardiovascular condition.

Caring for cats can make you more energetic and happy, say researchers. I believe it. My seven-year-old is very content while petting, brushing, and loving the cats we visit. And while having any pet companion is good for both physical and emotional health, it seems cats do the trick better than dogs do. Maybe it's because there are more cats owned in the United States -- there are 90 million compared to 74.8 dogs. Makes sense. There are 90 some cats in our Humane Society cat room. There were about 10 dogs last time we visited. Clearly, there's more cat work to be done.

Source

Summer is the perfect time for hot dogs at the family BBQ, big pretzels at the county fair, and cold treats straight from the ice cream truck. Although these foods can be less-than-perfect options for our kids who love them so -- think lots of salt, sugar, and fat -- WedMD says they can be not so bad, really. Check them out.

• Nachos & Quesadillas
• Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
• Ice Cream
• Frozen Yogurt
• Waffles and pancakes
• Marshmallows
• Popcorn
• Watermelon
  
  

Hot dogs? Healthy? I never thought so. Try light and reduced-fat dogs and you'll be OK, says Sarah Krieger, an American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokeswoman.

Source

It seems that just about everything in this world can hurt us. We are inundated with reports about the dangers of every possible disease, diet, behavior, and cataclysmic event known to man. And, these reports of danger oddly seem to come just after hearing reports that the opposite of that danger is actually the real danger. It can all quickly become quite convoluted and a bit overwhelming, really. Thankfully, there's new research out of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis that suggests a very straightforward way to reduce at least one of our risks.

Based on a study on the effects of pet ownership on heart health, researchers discovered that you can cut your chances of suffering a myocardial infarction by as much as 30 percent just by taking care of a cat. The finding, from a 10-year study of more than 4,300 Americans, suggests that pets are a great means of stress release for their owners. In fact, one study presented in 2005 at a meeting for the American Heart Association meeting revealed that a single 12-minute visit with a dog improved the heart and lung function of people with known heart problems.

If you're interested in finding a pet that's in need of a good home, and in reducing your risk of health problems in the process, click here to be taken to a nationwide directory of animal shelters.

Source

Are hot dogs on your menu this Memorial Day? If so, you'll be joined by billions of others who will begin scarfing down dogs beginning this weekend.

About seven billion hot dogs will be consumed between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. This means that roughly 818 hot dogs will be eaten every second during the summer. That's a lot, considering the average annual consumption is 20 billion.

I'm not a big fan of the hot dog, myself. For one, I'm never really sure from what the things are made. Second, I don't love all the fat that comes packed into each modest serving -- one Ballpark beef frank contains 16 grams of fat, six grams of it from the saturated fat family. Hot dogs just are not my food of choice. Many people love them, though. Check out these gallery stats.

Source

The smell of barbecue is back in the neighborhood. And how sweet it is.

Do you know anyone who doesn't like a grilled dinner? And most grilled dinners, even the traditional burgers or dogs, can be quite healthy when paired with green salad and fresh fruit. Even the most die-hard heart-attack food lovers can be suckers for grilled veggies. My favorite is yellow squash with olive oil, garlic, sea salt and fresh ground pepper. My almost three-year-old daughter adores corn on the cob fresh from the 'cue. We do all the classics: burgers, dogs, steaks, chicken, various veggies, a mix of stuff on kabobs and more.

This season, I'm looking forward to trying some new things. The Food Network has tons of great spring and summer grilling ideas. Some are really unique. At least to me. What really caught my attention were all the recipes for grilled fruit. If you've never had it, plan it as part of your meal. Tonight. I've done melon and pineapple. But I love the idea of doing nectarines and plums, too. Mmmm.

Source

We have all heard that pets can help teach kids patience, responsibility, and empathy, but according to a recent study, having a dog in the home during childhood, especially during the first year of infancy, seriously decreased a child's likelihood of developing sensitivities to allergens like pollen. Our own Maggie first broke this story a few days ago but it's worth repeating for those thinking about investing in a canine commitment -- and for those who like photos of cute kids and cute dogs. See gallery that follows.

So the science behind this theory is that dogs bring germs inside on their coats and in their mouths, thus exposing kids to them and boosting the child's immune system. Older generations were often exposed to more dirt and germs as children (you know, because kids used to actually play outside instead of sitting indoors playing video games), and therefore developed a greater resistance to many allergens than kids today.

This study in particular has taken blood samples from 3,000 six-year-olds and will test the samples for hints that the child might become allergic to things like pet hair, dust mites, and pollen. The children will be retested at age 10, but the lead researcher has already stated with confidence that, "Our results show clearly that the presence of a dog in the home during infancy is associated with a significantly low level of sensitization to pollens and allergens."

Source

Based on a six-year study of 9,000 children, German researchers have stated that having dogs may reduce a child's risk of developing allergies. In theory, exposure to pet-related allergens builds ups a child's immunity and helps reduce risk of allergies, asthma, eczema, and hay fever.

The study used parents' answers on detailed surveys from birth to age six. Blood samples were also taken from a number of participants to test for antibodies in the blood stream.

The same protective effect was not noted in children with repeated exposure to dogs, but without dogs in their home.

Source

I have a 7-year-old English Bulldog who, other than minor allergies, is as healthy as can be. Considering how much time he spends lazing on the back of my couch it's amazing he's as fit as he is. But a year or so ago he caught quite the stomach bug. I spent several days nursing him back to health. A few days later I was sick, too. I wondered for a moment if I had caught the bug from him. But then I thought, no, because things like that aren't communicable between species. Or are they?

For the most part, illnesses that dogs are susceptible to can't be passed to humans. There are some things that can be passed on though -- ticks, fleas, and worms to name a few. To reduce the risk of puppy illnesses, have your dog vaccinated and visit the vet regularly. Also, dogs need exercise and proper nutrition to stay healthy. As for you and your family, be sure to clean up after your dog frequently and practice good hand-washing habits.

Source

I'm all about helping my family follow a healthy diet, and by family, I mean everyone, including my dogs. I make an effort to buy a high quality dog food, do the vet visits as needed, and keep them free from fleas and heartworms. I like to treat them as well, and I often bring home treats from the neighborhood doggy bakery, and have been known to bake up some doggy biscuits for special occasions.

However, when it comes to my dogs' daily meals, I think I have to draw the line at preparing it myself. I came across a section in All Recipes where they list a number of different recipes for homemade pet food, such as Doggy Meatloaf with Vegetables and Poochie Meat Cakes (both of which take longer to prepare and bake than many of the things I make for the humans in my family).

What do you think? Does homemade dog food cross the line, or is it a great option for pet owners who wish to have more input in their dogs nutrition?

(If you do opt to make a change in your pet's diet, please discuss it with your vet to ensure your furry friend will receive the proper nutrition!)

Source