By Lisa Zeigel

Finally! Spring is here, and the weather outside is much more conducive to enjoying outdoor exercise. It seems like everyone is out walking or jogging, and if you are one of a multitude of dog owners, taking your best friend out with you for that walk or a jog makes the experience all the more pleasant. Unfortunately, many dog owners work, go to school, juggle kids and work and school, and are therefore hard-pressed to find the time to step out with Fido, or they are un-inclined to get any exercise for themselves, much less with their pets - - at all, which is currently the sad but true case for more than 60 percent of the population. When pet owners do not get enough exercise, their animals tend to be sedentary. In fact, pets run right alongside humans (both figuratively and literally) in the rising obesity epidemic for exactly the same reasons…consuming too many calories and not getting enough activity!

How can this happen? you might ask. Don't animals instinctively know just how much they need to eat, and aren't they naturally active? Well, yes, in the wild. But our pets have been domesticated for centuries now and are dependent on humans for food and the portion sizes they receive. And we humans are, well, only human. We sometimes want to express how much we care for our loved ones by feeding them -- and overfeeding them. And then we feed them the wrong things. Pets were not meant to eat human food, but are sometimes given handouts and leftovers from the dinner table. Why throw the food out when Spot will clean that plate? And it could be anything from pizza crusts to birthday cake! Although our pets do not naturally prefer such foods, they can sure acquire the taste for them.

Overfeeding is only one part of the pet obesity problem, and now you do see low-cal and low-carb dog and cat foods available in stores, even diet books for pets. But is putting your furry friend on a diet the only answer? Of course not! Animals need lots of activity for the same reasons we do - to maintain a lean body composition, to prevent diseases (animals can get diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease too) and to be happy! Imagine being cooped-up in a small yard all day, or worse, tethered to a leash for hours on end. Yes, dogs (and cats) do get depressed when they cannot run and play as they would naturally do. There is speculation that the way we treat our pets can mirror how we treat ourselves, and if we aren't eating right or exercising enough to keep us healthy and feeling good, chances are that our animals are not either. The distressing thing is that both human and pet will suffer the same consequences as a result!

When counseling sedentary people who are “on the fence" about getting started on an activity program, one of the key aids in convincing them is to give them a personally compelling reason to do it. For some folks, nothing is more important to them than their pet. When times are bad, you hear about people who will make sure their companion is fed before feeding themselves so wouldn't it be a mutually beneficial arrangement to get a person who has such strong feelings to start exercising not only for his or her own benefit, but for the good of their animal as well?

Does using a pet for motivation to exercise really work? As I was writing this, I overheard a young woman in my fitness center talk about a friend of hers who lost 15 pounds after she started walking her dog. I'm not sure over what period of time this occurred, but this can serve as an example to illustrate the benefits for the animal. I noticed my indoor/outdoor cat was getting a bit pudgy (it was winter and cold and rainy outside, so she was sleeping a lot indoors) so now I make sure to play with her every night by having her vigorously chase a toy at the end of a tether (and I had to move pretty fast to keep up with her too)! Soon she was back to her feline-svelte self, and even though I really don't need more exercise, it is a bit of a workout, and I do have fun playing with her!

Some people have limited space in which to house their animals, in which case it is essential that they provide exercise for their pet, therefore getting themselves moving too! The easiest thing would be to start with walks in the neighborhood, but for various reasons, neighborhoods may not always be suitable to walk around in. Still, there are options. You can walk your dog on a leash in most parks, and there are even parks where dogs can run to their hearts' content without being on a leash. (I assume that humans can run along too.) Dog obedience classes are now having owners participate in exercise sessions with their dogs, dog schools and recreation centers are organizing pet/owner hikes, Frisbee contests, and more! You can even find stability ball and yoga classes for dogs and their owners.

People who have started walking with their dog may eventually feel like progressing to jogging or running with their canine buddy, and that is a great idea! But just as humans should start out slowly and gradually work up to more time and intensity, so should dogs! Start with short distances not only to allow the dog's cardiovascular system to adjust, but to allow the paw pads to toughen-up so his or her feet won't be sore. In addition, running on a trail would be preferable to asphalt or concrete, for both human and canine joint health. Paying attention to signs of exertion is also important - if your dog is lagging behind you and not showing much zest for the activity, it may be time to slow down or stop. You can also try run/walk intervals and see if the situation improves. Look out for signs of overheating and take frequent water breaks, especially if the weather is warm (you can bring along a lightweight, foldable/portable water bowl). And if you go out after dark, both of you should be wearing a light-colored, reflective garment to be safely visible to passing motorists (you can get a reflective vest for your dog).

There may not seem to be as many options for cats, but yes, you can walk your feline companion! There are harnesses you can use with a leash so you can safely let your indoor cat prowl around in your yard (but you probably shouldn't try to take Fluffy for a stroll down your street with it). This does take a bit of training for the cat, and some of them just won't cooperate, but it's worth a try. Otherwise, it doesn't take much to engage your kitty(ies) in a game of chase…a scrunched-up ball of paper, a piece of string…almost anything will do. Just get Fluffy moving, and you can get in on the fun too!

So you see that animals are not that different than humans because they need similar basics: Healthy food, water, shelter, love, and exercise. Since it is our responsibility to keep them healthy, happy, and fit, we might as well use that as a reason to work on our own health and fitness.

Lisa Zeigel is a personal trainer and a group exercise instructor who has been involved in health and fitness for more than 20 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a health and fitness instructor and as a National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer. She has created unique wellness education programs and has taught healthy lifestyle classes for her local community. Currently, Lisa works with all types of clients and particularly likes to focus on new and returning exercisers, combining cutting-edge techniques with the tried-and-true. Most of all, she strives to make exercising fun and easy to integrate into each individual’s lifestyle. You can contact Lisa at fitgrrl@operamail.com.