Running with Dogs - iPhone Apps

As the winter wears on and the resolution to lose weight and get fit seem to become shiny bits of an idea that are harder and harder to grab, its important to find the motivation to stay with it. K9 Coach, Inc. is committed to ideas and inspiration to keep you out there running or walking with the dog.

Your dog can be motivation in itself. Just the thought of that wagging tail and the positive change in behavior a little run can do for your dog is enough to remind some to go out for 30 minutes and get some exercise.

Sometimes it takes having that cool gadget and a little push from someone else to keep you on track to a healthier and fit lifestyle. That's where iPhone apps and a training program written for you and your dog can make all the difference in the world.

Its true that a training partner can help you stay motivated. Planning to run a dog friendly 5K puts that goal out there giving you something to aim for.  A training program written for you and your dog helps with direction and knowing exactly how to stay on course. Especially if running, walking or signing up for a 5K are new to you.

And then of course cool gadgets can really help. As superficial as that might sound, it is a great way to keep yourself motivated. And these days you can even do that on the cheap.

Take for instance the iPhone app called Runmeter. A way cool fun thing for your walking or running program. You can record your time, location, distance, elevation, and pace. It can help you visualize and keep your goal attainable by seeing your results on maps, graphs, and calendars, organized by routes and activities. Know how much distance you've run by day, week, month, and year.

You can even share your training by sending Google Map links of your runs and routes using email or Twitter. During your run, hear tweets from family, coaches, and friends spoken using text-to-speech technology. Its motivating and keeps you going.

Get your dog and go for it. Find a dog friendly 5K race to sign up for, get your Canine Cross Training Program, and have some fun with an iPhone app all for less than the cost of a month at most gyms!

Your dog will love you. You will love you... and the fitness and health benefits for you both are more than attractive to all of those around you.

Wag more.

©Jt Clough and K9 Coach, Inc. www.SitK9Sit.com  www.GoTrainYourDog.com

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Dog Owners More Likely To Maintain Exercise Program

The food eating frenzy is over.  With the passing of New Year’s Day, the food-fests go with it.  From Thanksgiving to New Year’s everything seems to be planned around parties with food that’s very tasty but is now being worn around our bellies.

The time has come.  Good news for dog owners when it comes to this subject.  Studies show that people who own dogs are much more likely to get started on an exercise program.

The even better news and the big surprise to researchers.... studies also show that people who started an exercise program with their dog show big improvement while those who started similar programs without dogs began making excuses, showing little improvement. 

Another interesting fact was the speed of walking, jogging, or running increased by 28% for those training with dogs versus those without a dog with only a 4% increase.  Not that it is the most important thing on the agenda but it does make one feel like they are really doing something when the pace picks up on a natural basis.

Even so, we all tend to need a little added motivation when it comes to starting a program.  Walking or running is the easiest to get into, and for the most part the most effective.  Joining a gym which many do right after the first of the year feels like motivation but more often than not becomes overwhelming.

A gym can be intimidating and feeling like you “belong” doesn’t come easy.  The failure rate is high due to feeling like you don’t know what you are doing.  Again, a walking or running program you can do without the scrutiny of long time gym members eyes.

Having something other than weight loss or getting fit to focus on helps immensely with motivation.  Your dog as your training partner can be a big inspiration as well.  After all, you can rely on your dog to show up every single time.  A training partner increases your chances of success greatly.

A training plan written out for you increases your chances of enjoying the exercise,  knowing what to do and how to do it safely.  Give yourself something to focus on while you are establishing your exercise, diet and nutrition routine.  Stick with your new plan plan by signing up for our Canine Cross Training: Running your 1st 5K! 

Even if signing up for the 5K or 10K isn’t in your list of things you really want to do, having a training plan clearly written out for you and the assistance of your reliable dog training partner will get you to the ultimate goal:  fitness, weight loss, and a healthy you.

So get your dog and get started.  There is no more time to waste in the game of life.  Health and fitness are the foundation to everything else.  Get your dog, get your training plan and get started today.

*Note about the author:  Jt Clough is a professional dog trainer who has studied and applied how to create a balanced life through calm dog training techniques with her long time commitment to health and fitness.  A finisher of 9 Ironmans among many other fitness accomplishments along with her life partner Gary Guller who has reached the summit of Mt. Everest, bringing inspiration to others for a lifestyle that includes health and fitness is giving back to the world all the joys it has given.

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©Jt Clough and K9 Coach, Inc. 2010     www.SitK9Sit.com      www.GoTrainYourDog.com