Remember When Recess Was The Best Part of the Day?

At school yesterday, Daniel and I got to ride our skateboards around campus with the intention of exposing the puppies to sounds and motion that might frighten them later on, if they are not desensitized at an early age. Skateboarding with puppies is one "signature reality" that defines the second childhood I am currently living. This kind of thing also exemplifies why utilizing dogs as fitness partners is such a wonderful idea. Running around outside and playing with dogs is the best kind of exercise: that which one forgets is exercise because it simply feels too good and is too much fun to be work!

Getting the Word Out on (My) Street!

HUMAN PAWS

The Love Diet

The most effective way of showing affection - to oneself and one's dog - is by encouraging HEALTHY practices, not enabling UNHEALTHY ones. When you show yourself "love" by eating to soothe emotional stress, does this feel like love? Or does it feel like sabotage? Just think, when you overfeed your pets (treats, table scraps), you transpose your own self-sabotage onto them. Both you and your pets DESERVE BETTER. Exercise is not a punishment, but rather, a gift. And the discipline to eat right and stay fit is a gift that both you and your dog deserve. Furthermore, it is a gift you can give to one another!

The Gift of Pain

There is just about nothing more exhillarating, primal and joyful for me than running with dogs. On leash or off, the experience never fails to make me feel super-human, because it taps into the Animal in me. Of late, I have been denied my favorite thing, and most pertinent outlet for releasing stress, because my hips have been out of commission. Based on the self-diagnosis-by-internet-sleuthing I've done, I have surmised that the problem is bursitis. The fluid filled areas in my hip sockets are dried out, or something like that. The bottom line is, I have too much pain to run, no matter how hard I attempt to push myself beyond the limitation this pain imposes.

This has happened before - many times. As a runner, I have dealt with many stretches of time marred by injury, during which running simply wasn't an option. Every time it happens, I feel like it's the end of the world, and that I will never be able to run again. Then, in my more enlightened moments, I think about how blessed I am to have the ability to WALK, much less run. And I remind myself of all the blessings that have resulted from these "rest" periods, which I do - on some level - believe are good for me, and make me a stronger runner in the bigger picture.

During college, when I had tendonitis in my knees (from running too much), I began doing things I had always stubbornly resisted before - like swimming in our school's beautiful indoor pool, (and rewarding myself afterward with a stretching session in the sauna). It was also then that I remembered, and began to relive, the childhood fun of riding a bike! A few months ago, when I broke my toe, I was so frustrated about not being able to run! But I got creative, and invented a new sport: Crutch Vaulting! I'd put on my headphones, blast some Niki Minaj or Adam Lambert, and head out under the stars to catapult around the neighborhood, the best times being under a light tropical rain.

Over these last two months, and currently, as I wait out this hip pain, I have gotten deeper into my yoga practice, and have even begun to meditate. Chew and I also walk two or three miles every afternoon, which is both of our favorite part of the day. I always forget how wonderful (and in fact addicting) long walks can be; because I tend to compare the fitness benefits of walking to those of running, and then discount all that walking has to offer! These are things that - when I am up to my full energy capacity and physical capability - I can't let myself slow down enough to enjoy. But they are also things that I have always wanted and needed to do.

So on that note, I thank this bursitis for the gift of pain, that has stretched me beyond my comfort zone, and shown me alternatives to running that are just as valuable.

Yes, this is indeed how I must - and will - choose to think about it.

I Walk With Dog

The Fit Will Survive...The FRiSKY FiT Will Thrive!

Since the dawn of the human-dog relationship, our two species have evolved to better serve and understand the other. Wolf helped Man become healthy and strong through more efficient hunting practices. Today, dogs rescue and heal humans in countless ways. As service dogs, they help us confidently navigate our most daunting challenges. As cancer-sniffing dogs, they enlighten us to our illnesses before they take hold. As our playmates and faithful companions, dogs save us from existential loneliness. My goal is to help people, through the special relationships they share with their dogs, GET FIT, move forward in their lives, and experience empowering personal growth. Every step forward in the physical body is a step toward reforming the unhealthy lifestyle patterns that lead to depression, addiction, obesity, and spiritual stagnation. And dogs are poised to play a pivotal role in this awesome healing revolution!

Born To Run

Zen & The Art of Walking the Dog

1. The goal of the walk is not where you end up, but simply that you go. 

2. There is both a teacher and student at each end of the leash. 

3. Breathe and keep breathing. Walk and keep walking. Move forward and keep moving forward. 

4. The discipline of the walk is a gift you and your dog give to one another. 

5. The more tired one feels, the further one should walk. 

6. When all else fails, walk the dog. 

7. Balance - between sitting in the virtual world and moving in the physical world - is imperative.  

8. To heel is healing; to heal is heeling. 

9. Walk away from being sedentary; walk toward being active. 

10. In the spring, walk with your dog.

In the summer, walk with your dog.

In the fall, walk with your dog.

In the winter, walk with your dog.

Every day, walk with your dog.