Dog Agility Trial: how would you handle it?

LabAgility
LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
in Health and Weight Loss

This weekend I am running a one day dog agility trial. Next weekend I am running a 2 day trial. These are busy days- lots of hauling gear, walking, working the rings, walking courses, running my own dog, etc.

This is the first time am negotiating these while on MFP. They really aren't a thing I can readily quantify as far as exercise goes (so I can eat the appropriate number of calories back). I will need to eat more than my calorie allotment to keep going.

This weekend I have to leave at 4:30 am to be at the trial grounds and set up before the first runs. If the trial runs smoothly I will be able to be headed home about 6 pm. Next weekend will be similar but will be in a hotel overnight.

I just want to handle these weekends (as I do several a year and this time the lifestyle is forever!) so that I can feel I handled them properly. And maybe I just need to get over it, log everything and move on!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.

Replies

  • Swiftdogs
    Swiftdogs Posts: 328 Member
    I show in conformation. You're right; there's no way to accurate measure calories burned on a busy dog day. I've found that I drop weight on show weekends no matter what I eat. So I just log my food with rough guesses and move on. Protein bars are my friend. Good luck with the trials! The work behind the scenes is a lot tougher than most exhibitors understand. BTDT
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    Thanks for the reminder to take protein bars!

    I agree with you- people who have never shown often underestimate the amount of work involved. I have a 2 year old chocolate lab so I will be busy making sure that she is busy enough to wear the edge off! She is a pistol!

    This weekend will be easy because I am traveling alone. Next weekend my bestie and I are going so she always wants to eat out somewhere! LOL


  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    I would almost guarantee that a fitbit or similar device would get you very close to your estimated burn level. For general activity, they are pretty accurate.

    Aside from that, it is just a couple of days. From a lifestyle perspective, a couple of days isn't going to hurt you. You don't have to match your calories exactly for a weekend every couple of months if you are truly changing your lifestyle. Just eat what feels right and don't use the extra activity as an excuse to go crazy and you'll be just fine.
  • Amanda4change
    Amanda4change Posts: 620 Member
    If you want an idea of exact calories I would invest in a heart rate monitor, the fitbit will give you a general idea of how much on what you burned that day, The great thing with the fitbit is you can link it to your MFP account so it will log your additional burn for you. If you don't want to be super technical, then my suggestion is to do your best to not go to far over your normal daily calories, maybe 20-30%.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    I wouldn't get too hung up in the amount of extra calories that show weekends burn. I'm not discounting that they are hectic and busy and tiring but... I would hazard to guess that you were doing them when you were gaining weight, too. Pack a cooler with healthy food from home that fits within your daily allotment (maybe 10-20% over?). When your friend is traveling with you, you can still go out to eat, but, again, try to stay within a reasonable margin of your norm. Consider the extra calories burned a bonus.
  • klkarlen
    klkarlen Posts: 4,366 Member
    Some information on a scientific study done to determine exercise benefits of dog agility: http://www.zoomroomonline.com/dog-agility-exercise-study.html
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    I have a heart rate monitor that I use when I do steady cardio, but I don't think it would really work for a show weekend because there really isn't steady. If I am pole setting I sit and sprint out to reset a bar if somebody drops it. Or at height changes.

    I did think about using a Fitbit.

    I am not going to go crazy. I just like data... there is something about KNOWING you are in the right zone. LOL... (it is all in my head, I know!)

    I also figured that I could just make a point of not eating over my maintenance calories. I have it set to Sedentary now because some days I do not get much authentic activity. Others, because I am a science teacher, I am on my feet all day. I only log actual cardio where I wear my HRM and can keep it steady. IE, I never log exercise if I take my toddlers for a walk... because we wander and stop. LOL
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    edited October 2014
    Thanks everyone. I appreciate the opinions.

    I have actually not being doing agility trials at all for several years. My old dog was retired due to a spinal injury. I had 2 kids in 14 months. Then I had to wait for my puppy to grow up (training all the while) for her growth plates to close so I could finish training her. OFA prelim x-ray day was a great day! Now that she is 2 it is on like Donkey KONG!

    So while this isn't a new thing for me I really haven't done any competitions in years.

    ETA: changing hate to had. I swear, I do not hate my kids! Whoopsie!
  • mbailey423
    mbailey423 Posts: 141 Member
    Nothing to add regarding your question, but wanted to say Good Luck at the trials!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    People have cheat days. It is only one and two days in a week. I would make sure I was good on the other days and not worry about the agility days. You will probably be so busy you won't eat as much as you fear!
    I love agility. Our dog never competed, but she trained for about three years. She was one happy puppy on her training days!
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    edited October 2014
    klkarlen- thanks for the link.

    Thanks for all the well wishes! My puppy is just beginning her journey as a competition dog. As a baby dog we have a long way to go! This weekend will be her second trial, her first she earned 3 Q's. However, she does try to visit everyone before plugging in! There is no substitute for time, age and exposure!
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    I just wanted to add - a heart rate monitor would be a terrible choice for this type of activity. I think the OP knows this, but for other people's benefit.

    a general activity monitor would be a much better choice if you want to collect that data.

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