Photo Credit: shoe the Linux Librarian on flickr.com
In this series, Surprising Ways to Slash 500 Calories, we discuss a variety of ways you can easily eliminate 500 calories from your daily routine resulting in an easy weight loss of one pound per week. You may not even think these food or beverage items “count”, but they do. Our job is to help you in your weight loss goals and even if you were to burn one less calorie day; it would add up over time.
In a recent study, experts estimate that at least 35 percent of all cats and dogs in households are overweight and can develop severe health issues as a result. Humans share weight issues as a common problems. In this edition, we’d like you to team up with your pets to create the ultimate exercise partnership. In order for this partnership to work, you’ll need to designate space in your day to exercise with your pet. Fortunately for your pet, you should be doing cardiovascular type work for at least 30 minutes every day anyways; so, now all we have to do is add your pet pal to the equation.
Now try these fun activities with your pets:
- Interval cardio: Walk for 5 minutes with your pet, then run two minutes full sprint. Do this multiple times! This is exactly like doing intervals on the treadmill or elliptical. Plus, dogs love running fast!
- Tag: Most children play tag; so try playing it with your pet. Play keep away or chase with a fun toy. You’ll be surprised by how exhausted you’ll get playing tag with your pet for 30 minutes.
- Fetch: Now, I know normally we throw an object for our pet to get. This time, throw the object and see if you can get the object faster than your pet, or just run along with your pet.
- Hit an outdoor trail together. Find a loop that’ll last at least 30 minutes and go hard!
Working out with a pet partner will allow you both the benefits of vigorous exercise and the sweet results of spending time together. Get outside, try to keep up with your pup and you’ll both be fitter, 500 calories lighter and happier as well.
