Nutrition & Fitness Tips You Can Learn From Your Dogs

Selfie ... he's new at them.

 This is Beans. He's my all time best friend, nap time buddy, part time pain the ass, and over all ... a pretty cool dude. Beans is a small wiener dog (mini dachshund) and there for, he has a long ... long body. This means, keeping him at a healthy weight is important due to the stress added weight can put on his little spine. Basically, it's my job to make sure this little guy doesn't get too fat and my job to make sure he's fed the right things.

 If you've owned a dog you know it's pretty simple to keep them at a healthy weight. Don't over feed them, don't feed them scraps or crappy food, and let them get a little exercise each day. That's it ... simple and easy!

 And guess what? You're not that much different from your dog!

 Sure, they have different nutrition requirements, but the basic principals are the same for you as they are for your dog. If we're looking at keeping your dog happy and healthy for life, then you wouldn't feed your dog Corn Pops, waffles, and lasagna. You wouldn't allow your dog to lay around the house, never get out to the park, or a walk through the neighbourhood. You wouldn't feed your dog seconds (or thirds) of their meals and then throw them a pop tart for dessert when they're done. Also, if you did all these things and your dog was fat, sick, and unhappy ... I doubt you'd be stumped on why your dog wasn't doing so well.

A little added weight on a walk

  So why is it that so many people can't figure out why they're overweight, unhappy, and out of shape ... yet basically live their lives how they wouldn't even treat their own dog?

 If you're looking to make basic changes that will greatly effect your life, take some tips from your dog:

- Eat a little less! There's no need to stuff yourself at every single meal. Eat until your satisfied, stop before you're stuffed. You wouldn't over feed your dog so don't do it to yourself!
- Don't snack unnecessarily.
- Avoid processed crap and junk foods. You wouldn't feed your dog foods that make it sick, why are you doing it to yourself?
- Eat lots of high quality, nutrient dense, whole foods. Vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, real meats, nuts and seeds need to make up the majority of your diet.
- Get daily activity! Try adding a daily routine to your mornings, resistance train at least 3x per week, walk more. Dog's need exercise and so do you.
- Play! Do things your enjoy. This is a big one you can learn from your dog that helps reduce stress, adds joy to your life, and sneaks in a little more exercise while you're at it.
- Nap if you feel like it when times allows. Dogs nap all the time, and why the hell not? Naps help re-energize your body, help reduce stress, and are a great way to help you recover.

There you have it, it's right out in the open and maybe right in your lap as you read this. Your dog could be the key to your fat loss that you've been missing out on all along!

Naps, he's all about them.

-Tim 

www.TimothyBellFitness.com