This week I saw a neighbor pushing a small dog in a dog stroller. I thought, “Doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of walking the dog?”
Today is National Walking the Dog Day. Why we need a special day to celebrate walking the dog, I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like this is the only day you walk the dog, right? Well … then again, if you have a fenced-in backyard, maybe you don’t walk the dog that much after all, since it is a lot easier to just let them out the back door.
However, if you have a hard time sticking to an exercise routine, walking the dog can be a great way to get some physical activity in. Plus, dogs provide great motivation to stay with an exercise program as well as being excellent walking companions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, less than half of all American adults get the recommended amount of exercise. Adults need to get at least 2-1/2 hours of moderate-level aerobic physical activity a week.
Some benefits of walking the dog for both you and your dog, include:
- It keeps you and your dog healthier.
- It helps control your weight and your dog’s weight.
- It boosts your energy levels while burning extra energy your dog has, so your dog won’t be as hyperactive.
- It makes you and your dog happier.
- It strengthens the bond between you and your pet.
Additionally, walking your dog helps to curb attention-seeking and destructive behaviors as well as unruliness in your dog.
As for you, some additional health benefits of dog walking are:
- Dog walkers have 1/3 the risk of diabetes.
- It reduces your risk of high blood pressure.
- It strengthens your bones and increases their density to ward off osteoporosis.
- It reduces your risk of high cholesterol by 30%.
- It lowers your risk of depression by 35%.
So, get out there today and walk the dog. You’ll both receive lots of benefits.
Relieve Foot Pain with Custom Orthotics
If foot pain from bunions, plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendonitis prevents you from walking the dog, you should consider wearing ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics. These custom orthotics are specifically made for each of your feet, providing you with the exact support your feet need. Since your feet will be better biomechanically aligned, each step will be controlled throughout the gait cycle. So, you’ll experience reduced stress or strain on your feet, knees, hips, and/or lower back – which equates to pain relief with every step you take.
ezWalker® Custom Orthotics are ultra thin and ¾ in length, so they easily fit into any footwear, including athletic shoes. Since these arch supports can be purchased via the Internet, anyone, from anywhere, can own a pair. So, order your ezWalker® Performance Custom Orthotics today.
Put an ezWalker® in your shoes and put a smile on your face. Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.®
Photo credit: Creative Commons/Flickr/Rev Stan
