Riley Portrait ©2018 Maggiejs.ca

Weight Management Week: Get a Dog!

I’ve tried a number weight loss regimes in the past and they’ve all worked to some degree. But, before Riley The Wonder Dog came into our life, neither I nor my sister, Erin, had come across a ‘diet’ that not only took the pounds off but helped us keep them off… The Riley Diet: Simple, easy, healthy…

Riley the Wonder Dog - © 2018 Maggiejs.caTake weight off and keep it off with the Riley Diet!

I’ve talked about exercise before, as an adjunct to moderating Calorie intake and other traditional diet weight management techniques. But only the Riley Diet has even come close to fulfilling all my needs and desires in a ‘diet’  without subjecting me to unpleasant realities and difficult-to-maintain ‘new habits’.

What you do…

Get a dog. And walk it every day. A medium or large-sized dog is best, because he or she will want to walk farther and stay out longer than a small pooch. You want to be out and active for at least an hour every day. You can split this into two or three shorter walks if you like, but the benefits of one long walk won’t be equaled by the sum of the the shorter ones.

Walk your new best friend every day in all weathers, unless the weather is really extreme. In hot weather, remember to bring water for him as well as for yourself. Get him a coat for the really cold winter mornings, or just stay in those days when the temperatures are so high or low that you aren’t too keen on spending too much time out of doors.

The pros…

You’ll find you lose weight slowly but consistently and you’ll want to eat less, though you’ll be craving more protein and veggies and less crappy junk food. Don’t ask me why, but it’s true; other dog walkers I’ve met on the jogging path agree.

You’ll feel healthier and lighter of step and you’ll make friends with other dog people, as I’ve indicated above. You’ll be healthier, not just because you’ve lost the wright. Your cardio health will benefit from a regular walking regime as will your muscle strength and joint flexibility.

The cons…

Dogs are not cheap to keep. You’ll have annual shots, heart worm pills and flea & tick treatments over the summer and, as I said earlier, there are things such as toys and coats and feeding dishes and so on to buy along with the collar and leash/harness of your choice. And then, there’s food and treats. Riley eats up, literally, about $60. a month.

Your out-of-pocket costs might include some new exercise wear and a new pair of walking shoes, at your option.

Some folks you meet when walking a dog are not so friendly and some are even afraid of dogs for one reason or another. We just avoid or ignore them, even though Riley loves everybody and tends to want to run up and sniff any new people he encounters. That’ can be a challenge.

There will be wear and tear on your decor and your car’s interior, unless you take precautions and spread old blankets around liberally in spots where puppy likes to play and sleep.

The bottom line…

The benefits outweigh the ‘costs’ by far.

The cost of feeding and caring for a dog is a fraction of what diet ‘programs’ like Weight Watchers or Herbal Life can cost. And with the Riley Diet, you get to eat what you want, made the way you want it.

You’ll be healthier in a number of ways and feel better, not just slimmer.

You’ll make new friends. There’s no way to attach a value to that!

And you’ll gain a new family member who’ll be oh, so glad you came to the shelter and picked him!

That’s all for today…

It’s time to walk and Riley’s getting impatient…

~ Maggie J.