April 2014 – Irene Pastore Fitness

Dog Buddy Workouts I

April 4, 2014

Trendy Exercise Gets Dogs and Owners Off The Couch

One of the newest trends in fitness is the buddy workout with your dog. This post will give you a few basics on how to get started. This is the first article in a series, so stay tuned.

Cardio Exercise For You and Your Dog

Jogging for you and your dog.
Swimming for you and your dog.
Agility Training for you and your dog.
Bicycling for you. Jogging for your dog.
Rollerblading for you. Jogging for your dog.
Cross Country Skiing for you. Jogging for your dog.

How To Train

You’ll need to monitor your dog’s exertion, just as you would your own. Start with short distances first. Gradually increase the time. If your dog shows signs of fatigue, or tags behind you, slow down and cut back.

What You Need To Do First

Check with your vet before starting your dog on an exercise routine.

Warnings

The health and well-being of your dog should be uppermost. Too much exercise, or the wrong way to exercise can injure your dog.

Constant leash pulling can damage your dog’s throat.
Too much exercise can result in blisters on your dog’s paw pads after a run, especially dogs with light colored pads.
Stiffness, soreness, and exhaustion are signs of too much exercise.
Large dogs are more prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia (an inherited degenerative condition that can cause painful arthritis, and crippling lameness). Sustained jogging can be tough on their joints. Swimming is a better alternative. Get your vets advice on the best type of exercise.
Dogs and people don’t run the same. It is more common for a dog to run, stop and explore, and run again. Take a short run for 10 minutes, take a break, and then try another short run.
Avoid running with your dog on hot days.
Exercise in the shade, and out of the sun.
Exercise on grass or dirt roads to help avoid damaging your dog’s paw pads.
Sustained jogging or running isn’t recommended for young dogs whose
bones haven’t formed.
Be sure your dog is trained properly if you do online skating or bicycling. Your dog should be trained to run beside you without pulling.

Paw Protection During Outdoor Exercise

Keep your dog’s paw pads protected from injuries, and cold weather conditions. Several companies manufacture and sell canine protective footwear products. Here are a few suggestions: Muttluks.com, UltraPaws.com, Amazon.com.

Kayak Fatalities

April 1, 2014

Killing Yourself In a Kayak Isn’t Difficult

I had planned to write a post on the subject of kayak sporting accidents. In researching the net for information, I found a thorough, well written article on Squidoo, titled, “How To Kill Yourself In A Kayak.” Just click on the link to get there. I couldn’t have done a better job. Based on recent news stories, the author chronicles deadly kayaking mistakes, due to poor judgement.

Nature Doesn’t Forgive

I’ve written posts on the increase in hiking fatalities, and sports injuries. The wilderness doesn’t forgive ignorance. Before setting out, you must know about weather conditions, what to bring with you, what to wear, local wildlife, and what to do during emergencies. You have to be fit enough to handle your kayak, or whatever your chosen sport might be.

Shannon Christy, 23 Dies In Overturned Kayak

This is a sad story of a kayaker who died on the Potomac River in July 2013, when her kayak overturned, as she went down the rapids. She became entrapped, and subsequently drowned. ABC 7 covered the incident.

A Strong Core Means Better Paddling, Less Fatigue, Fewer Accidents

To take on sports, or recreational activities, you have to be fit. In kayaking, you need a resilient core for effective paddling, as well as strong shoulders, and arms. Your core stabilizes your spine and gives you the upper edge in your chosen sport, or recreational activity, because you’re able to produce more efficient force without hurting yourself.

When your core is weak, it makes other parts of your body take on roles they weren’t meant for. For example, you might wind up with fatigue in your shoulders, or arms. Worse yet, core weakness may result in overuse shoulder, and arm injuries associated with paddling.

An Excellent Core Exercise

Planks are one of the best, and least complicated exercises to strengthen your core. Planks are performed on an exercise mat from several positions.

Click the links for instructions on how to do each exercise.

Downward Plank Abs On The Ball