GET YOUR BODY MOVING: A DOG LED HER TO WEIGHT LOSS
Maureen Keller lost the pounds that marked the end of her old life and the beginning of a new one. And she owes it all to a dog named Bunker.
Recently divorced, Maureen decided to relocate from the Philadelphia area to Littleton, Colorado, to be closer to her family. But she knew it was going to be a long haul, in more ways than one.
During the 6 months leading up to her divorce, Maureen reached a couple of milestones that she found disheartening. First, she turned 50. Second, she climbed four clothing sizes, peaking at 165 pounds. “Even my ‘fat’ pants felt uncomfortable,” she recalls. Overweight and out of shape, Maureen landed in Litdeton with purpose but not a plan. Then she met Bunker, a tail wagging, walk-loving yellow Lab who belonged to her sister, Kathy Irvine, and her family.
Just before Maureen’s arrival, Kathy and her husband, Dave, found their workloads growing. The more time they spent at their offices, the less time they had to walk Bunker. His walks were getting shorter and shorter—and he was gaining weight.
“I volunteered to walk Bunker. I love animals, and I knew we both needed to slim down,” Maureen says. “The first time that we went on a 4-mile route, I was huffing and puffing up the final hill, thinking it would never end. By the end of the walk, Bunker was absolutely exhausted. He slept the rest of the day.”
Their treks soon became a ritual, providing Maureen and Bunker the exercise they needed. It also gave Maureen time for renewal. Gradually, with less stress and more happiness in her life, she lost 25 pounds. “And Bunker’s looking better, too,” Maureen adds.
WINNING ACTION
Let a dog take you walking. If you have a dog, turn your daily constitutionals into workouts. Walk for 30 to 45 minutes at a comfortably brisk pace—and try not to stop at every tree and fire hydrant. What if you don’t have a dog? Ask a friend or neighbor if you can “borrow” hers. Or volunteer as a dog walker at your local animal shelter. Besides providing exercise, having fun with a dog will change your mindset. How can you focus on problems when you’re faced with such a happy, smiling, wagging creature?
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