Dog walking for weight loss

rememberyourgoal2017
rememberyourgoal2017 Posts: 22 Member
edited November 23 in Getting Started
Ok, so my daughter basically leaves we dog up to us for walking and I always nag my husband to take him (he’s still pully on his lead) but actually think I’m missing out on an exercise opportunity here. Anyone find walking their furry companion a good tool for weight loss??
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Replies

  • pkweier
    pkweier Posts: 349 Member
    I take my pup out every day for a walk it helps me to get out and go
  • rememberyourgoal2017
    rememberyourgoal2017 Posts: 22 Member
    I’m a bit rubbish at making myself exercise, especially as I spend most of my time marking at the table, so I think using the pup is a good idea to MAKE me go out
  • khaleesikhaleesi
    khaleesikhaleesi Posts: 213 Member
    For sure! You can also make it fun for both of you by going to different parks, etc.
  • R2che
    R2che Posts: 189 Member
    Lost most of my weight (50lbs) through walking my dog. Poor thing comes home shattered!!
  • rememberyourgoal2017
    rememberyourgoal2017 Posts: 22 Member
    Aw ain’t it lovely. I did a 2.7k walk this evening. Not brave enough to let him off the lead as not many safe places here and he’s rubbish at recall.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Cute photos! <3

    I take my sweet puppy out for walks 3 - 4 times a day for about .50 - .75 of a mile each time in the winter. He's a hunter dog and stops and sniffs and explore *everything*!

    I don't our walks count as exercise though. Just a bonus or extra light activity during my day.

    I lost a lot of weight before he came into my life, but I truly appreciate the movement especially during my sedentary work day.
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 905 Member
    Most of my cardio is dog walking.
    Anything from a couple of miles a day
    In the week, to 6-10 miles a day at the weekends
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    I don't walk my dog for weight loss. I walk her because I love her and it's good for both of us, both physically and emotionally.
  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    edited December 2017
    I love walking my dogs. Get a fitbit to count your steps and challenge yourself. I try to take one picture a day of something pretty or interesting. I have an app called Map my Walk that I can keep track of my walks. My dogs are the best exercise friends. They are always ready to go no matter what the weather. Sometimes I listen to music but usually I just enjoy being out and as a bonus, burning calories.

    SherryTeach wrote: »
    I don't walk my dog for weight loss. I walk her because I love her and it's good for both of us, both physically and emotionally.

    I agree Sherry. Plus a tired dog is a happy dog.
  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
    edited December 2017
    Walking a dog is a great way to bond with the animal and have a lot of fun. It helps weightloss if it means that you don't end up eating more.
    My parents have a dog and one of the things he likes best is walking with her. Not because it helps with his weight (which is does) but he finds that by taking her out he gets he gets out too It helps his mental state and he gets interaction with other dog owners which is fun too. The dog loves running back and forth and being with him.
    Whenever I am at my parents place I go with them for their walk and it has become our dad-daughter interaction time, which we both love.
    I'd love to have my own dog, but our current careers simply do not allow it (both my husband and I are away too often)

    So many good things about walking a dog, for weightloss TBH is just a bonus in it I think
  • rememberyourgoal2017
    rememberyourgoal2017 Posts: 22 Member
    SherryTeach wrote: »
    I don't walk my dog for weight loss. I walk her because I love her and it's good for both of us, both physically and emotionally.

    Sorry but I feel this came accross a little judgemental? The point was he’s not my doggy, and I work until almost 11 every night with marking, clubs, etc. I was just thinking rather than get my husband to take him when my daughter is at work that I could also benefit from making myself walk him. I didn’t personally get a dog because I don’t have the time they need
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    I have been walking my dog for years....it definitely is great exercise for both of us...We have increased our distance and do run also. I have a 16lb Maltipoo that is so cute that he looks like a stuffed puppy, but he thinks he is big and I have to watch him around other dogs. So that also gives me some exercise! :)
  • cenafan
    cenafan Posts: 398 Member
    I walk/hike anywhere from 5-10km a day with my dogs. It's why I got active dogs. I knew they would get me moving. That and yoga have been my only exercise in my weight loss (55lbs).
  • theowlbox
    theowlbox Posts: 912 Member
    If you yourself don't have a dog, I get why the "human-dog relationship improvement" suggestions are not that motivational. It's like saying play with someone else's kid because kids are great! You work a lot so think of the dog as a grand dog. You get to enjoy it without ultimate responsibility! Utilize the dog as a tool, to motivate you to walk and as a companion while you are out. You will go places you might not have without the dog's encouragement. A dog is like a healthy alternative to a cigarette. It gets you outside, breathing deep, and there is nothing you have to do with your mind but relax. (And it doesn't give you cancer.) It can be a great end of day calm-down routine to transition into home time. Enjoy your walks however you take them. :)
  • KatEatsFood
    KatEatsFood Posts: 4 Member
    It's the best kind of exercise when you can trick yourself into doing something you enjoy. Make the dog happy, and increase your fitness level if you aren't doing anything! :smile:
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    edited December 2017
    rememberyourgoal2017 wrote: »
    Aw ain’t it lovely. I did a 2.7k walk this evening. Not brave enough to let him off the lead as not many safe places here and he’s rubbish at recall.

    Interesting thing with my dog - when we're out in the woods somewhere on a trail, she does not wander far off and behaves as if she is almost hanging around to protect me (and of course to also get treats when I call her back to me.)

    However, if she is off her lead IN OUR YARD - she runs away down the road and won't come home until she's done visiting all her dog friends at neighbor houses regardless of what treats I offer - I have to catch her and physically drag her home!

    So when we go on hikes like this she has to wear her leash until we get into the car and then when we go from the car to the house or she'll run away - and be gone for hours! Brat! LOL
  • donjtomasco
    donjtomasco Posts: 790 Member
    We moved in August from a home on a large hill and terrible streets to walking to a home with access to sidewalks and streets in any direction. I discovered walking my dog to be the best form of exercise I have had since doing this weight loss things 3 times in the past 5 years. I now look forward to the morning walks, I have the free app on my phone called MayMyWalk, which give me time, distance and calories burned. I don't think about burning calories now, I just enjoy going on different routes, my dog gets to enjoy new smells, do his business, he gets much needed exercise just like I do. We usually wall 75-120 minutes at a 100 cal burned per 15 minute walking average. And it is accurate on the cals burned since my CICO has tied into my actual weight loss almost perfectly since starting this on October 30th again.

    This is so much more fun and relaxing then hitting the treadmill and watching the clock or timer and having it be about how long it will take, now it is just part of my day and my dog benefits too.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    Yes, walking our dog is good exercise. If the dog pulls, try a head lead it helps a lot. :)
  • Fallfrenzy
    Fallfrenzy Posts: 118 Member
    I look at dog walking as a great opportunity to get out and get active. Once you start that it leads into doing other activities as well.
  • maybe1pe
    maybe1pe Posts: 529 Member
    I love walking and so do my dogs. I take them with me as much as possible. They're quite upset about the cold weather we have been having in our area and I'm right there with them! I miss the time walking with them. I honestly feel like it's kind of a "pack bonding" experience. It's made them better behaved at home because they don't have so much energy and it's helped them lose extra pounds as well!
  • NoxeemaJackson
    NoxeemaJackson Posts: 102 Member
    My neighbor got a dog, walks it every day, sometimes 2x a day, does a bunch of activities with it (catch frisbee, etc). She lost 50 lbs in a year.
  • SarahMacphail1
    SarahMacphail1 Posts: 36 Member
    I used to, not so much now I've got a small child tagging along who generally walks at the speed of a terminally ill snail! Used to do a good 10-12 miles a day out with Spendog, now I'm lucky if we manage half that distance in double the time, normally we do about 3 miles which really isn't much to me. It's more exercise than I'd get without a dog though I guess and I know Tiny Dictator gets a lot of benefit from the freedom to just run around, splash in puddles, paddle in the river and all that so I try not to complain about it lol.
  • Evamutt
    Evamutt Posts: 2,750 Member
    I've had a bad cold for a week now but still walking my dogs every day. If it weren't for them, I would have goten no exercise this week.
  • Evamutt
    Evamutt Posts: 2,750 Member
    How old is your child SarahM? I would take mine (& still do it with my grand dtr who's 4) in the jogging stoller with the dogs. She gets out & walks for a little then gets tired & gets a ride
  • MsMaeFlowers
    MsMaeFlowers Posts: 261 Member
    edited January 2018
    Dog walking is pretty much the only cardio I get these days. That's what happens when you have 3 dogs, and 1 will start eating furniture if you don't walk her, and the other 2 can't be walked with the first one as it causes behaviour issues. I have to do 2 dog walks a day minimum. I try to get the first dog out for at least 2 hours a day on the weekends, or any other day I have enough time/daylight.

    I generally burn about 200-300 cals in an hour of walking, so it definitely adds up. Takes my daily burn from 1600 up to 2000+, that's a huge difference.
  • BCxLacedUp
    BCxLacedUp Posts: 2 Member
    I lost over 100 pounds with the help of my 4-legged companion! Ten minute “potty walks” turned into spending a morning off walking for miles with my sweet girl. We’ve explored trails and mountains as well! I recently moved to a location with a yard and stopped walking as much, and have noticed significant weight gain! Walking your dog is absolutely exercise, not only for yourself, but for you dog as well. It is both mentally and physically stimulating, and a tired dog is a happy dog :)
  • trawillcy2018
    trawillcy2018 Posts: 155 Member
    Yes! If I didn't have my little pooch I'd probably get zero exercise. We walk him for around an hour a day & because he's very agile it's quite a brisk walk. I suffer with anxiety issues & don't go far so 'Walkies' helps in that way too :)
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