I was out walking over the weekend and came across two baby boomers with their dogs. The four-legged rovers were nose-to-nose, followed by nose-to-bottoms. Later they were sniffing the ground most enthusiastically. As one of my friends likes to remind me, this is simply how dogs get their daily news!
Fido Benefits
But that’s just one of the benefits of walking. Taking your dog out produces many perks for him or her. Daily exercise helps create a bond and trust between the two of you. It lets animals blow off energy, helping calm them, and decreasing destructive behavior such as digging and chewing.
Physical benefits include reducing obesity (about half of our dogs are too heavy), strengthening hearts, aiding in digestion, and helping relieve constipation. Diabetes is a problem with many dogs, and walking helps control blood sugar.
People Benefits
Walking a dog also conveys many health benefits to the owner, both physical and mental. And talk about a motivating force for success, a study by Michigan State University found that dog walkers are 34% more likely to meet the recommended exercise minutes each week.
Here are a few of the proven benefits of walking dogs:
•Reduced blood pressure
•Improved immune system
•Less obesity
•It’s a great ice breaker, as dog walkers are viewed as approachable and friendly
Simply stroking an animal can reduce the physiological indicators of stress (think: blood pressure). And the unconditional love from pets conveys a sense of increased self-esteem.
For older adults, dogs provide constant companionship, and are sometimes viewed as an older person’s only friend. Senior dog owners spend an average of 1.4 hours daily outside with their pet, reaping the cardiovascular benefits of walking. Older dog owners have lower levels of depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure and decreased heart rate (a sign of cardiac health). (Note: Be careful not to trip over smaller dogs; they can become a fall hazard.)
Put a Plan In Place
As with other positive behaviors, plan for a successful dog walking program by establishing a routine and scheduling the activity into your day. You can walk for 30 minutes at a time or three 10-minute bouts. Track your progress and reward yourself and your furry buddy after a job well done. Your dog will love you!
For more fitness ideas, give me a call! We can discuss some practical tips and discover if any of my programs or classes are a good fit for your friends or family.
If you’d like to schedule that call with me, just CLICK THIS LINK, and let me know in the message that you would like a 1-on-1 call with me right away and I will be in touch to schedule that—oh, and leave me your phone number in there too since email is not as reliable as it used to be! Thanks.
Lisa Teresi Harris is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, and author of the book Building Your Enduring Fitness. A certified Geri-Fit Instructor, she helps Boomers and seniors to regain and keep muscle strength, mobility, and energy.
Contact Lisa to inquire about a customized, in-home fitness program for you or a loved one.