If you are like the majority of people your New Year’s resolutions have something to do with weight loss. But what about your dog’s resolutions? Does your dog need to shed a few pounds? Carrying around excess weight can cause serious health issues for your pet just as it can for you.
To nail your weight loss goals for the new year is no small feat, even if you only need to drop a few pounds. The good news though is that it is totally doable. Here are 7 tips that can help you and your dog lose weight this year.
Make a Plan
You know the old saying, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” This is just as true for weight loss as it is for any other part of your life. You need to make sure you have a plan in place to help you achieve your goals. With that being said, make sure it is an achievable plan. No person or dog is going to go from being a couch potato to running full marathons overnight.
Set Small Goals
This goes hand in hand with your plan. Sure you have your ultimate goal and this is something you don’t want to lose sight of but having a goal that is too far away can make it hard to keep motivated. Set small goals along the way to help keep you going.
***Bonus Tip***: Your goals do not have to be about the number on the scale. It could be going exercise goals, measurement goals, nutrition goals, and so much more.
Think About Nutrition
When you think about losing weight and food the first thing you probably think of (aside from the stuffed crust pizza that somehow isn’t on any diet plan) is fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Not only because these are lower in calories but because they offer nutrients the body needs. This helps the body perform better and as a result weight loss comes with it.
This is no different for your dog. You want to make sure they are getting the best possible nutrition to help them hit their weight loss goals. Keep in mind that no one dog food, even if it the ultimate brand on the market, offers complete nutrition. This is why more and more vets are recommending a rotational diet for your dog. Take your pet to the vet to find out their dietary needs so you can make optimal nutrition a reality for them.
Take Longer, Funner Walks
Taking longer walks seems like a no-brainer when it comes to weight loss with your dog. However, if your walk is the same boring walk that it always is then you and your dog will not be as motivated and you will find your resolve dwindle. This is why you need to keep walks fun. A few ways to do this are:
- Find new paths you haven’t taken before
- Have a good playlist- you can even get speakers that go on your dog!
- Make a game out of it
HIIT Workouts with Your Dog
HIIT workouts seem to be all the rage these days because of the way the body continues to burn fat and calories for extended times after the workout is done. Most people think since their gym isn’t dog friendly that they can’t do this with them. The truth is that this can be done on your walks. The idea is to alternate your pace. Keep alternating every few minutes between low intensity walks and higher intensity. You can even run if you and your dog are able.
Don’t Forget the Selfies!
In today’s society, selfies are the norm. For the purposes of weight loss this is really not as vain as it sounds but rather motivating. Take before pictures of you and your dog. Then you can take more over time and watch your progress. You can do follow up pictures daily, weekly, monthly, or at any interval you choose.
