The Personal Trainer told me to I have to exercise 40 minutes a day so every morning I get up early to go for a walk. I bring along Harper. She quickly caught on I am no longer waking to go immediately to work, so she is now excited to see me rise. I already sense I am being trained to wake up prior to the alarm.
At this time of the year the early morning is the best time for dog walks. By 8AM Phoenix quickly becomes too hot and humid. Indeed, the concrete in 105 degree heat becomes hazardous for dog pads. At 530AM is light enough for relatively pleasant stroll.
It is a good idea on paper, trying to kill two birds with one stone by walking twice a day AND getting the dog her exercise, but Harper is not interested in quick ambulation. She likes to stop and smell all the posts and bushes. She doesn’t respond to commands as well as she used to do. I sense a sort of snippy ‘No, I want to stay here!’ attitude. All the same, she loves her walks, especially the park. The park by our house consists of an open field irregularly shaped, surrounded by a sidewalk. If the coast is clear, I let Harper off her lease so she can run circles. Meanwhile I can pick up the pace and make some circles around park, making sure I don’t get too engrossed in the iphone, lest I loose track of Harper, or (worse yet) trip over something.
I haven’t had many profound thoughts during these early morning walks. Being clever before breakfast is terribly tedious and should be avoided, at least until tea. Evening walks are better for contemplating Life, The Universe, and Everything. Sometimes there are young men at the park shooting hoops. They are a heartwarming spectacle. Sometimes there are ‘urban youth’ surrounding a few cars and mostly with their noses to their phones, texting ‘hell for leather’ as my Uncle Milo used to say.
It is too early to tell if these twice a day twenty minute jaunts have translated into any loss of weight. But Harper is pleased in the rise of activity, and I suppose I am as well.
Soon the light and the temperature will start to fade, and the walks won’t be so steamy.
Just as I feel trim enough to walk shirtless, I will need to keep it on, for warmth’s sake.
14 comments
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July 24, 2012 at 9:41 PM
justajeepguy
On your walks, try breaking into a jog for 2-3 mins at a time. Harper should forget all about smelling and the increased cardio will reap even quicker benefits for you.
July 25, 2012 at 2:07 AM
Rick
It is difficult to get your heart rate up while walking the pooches. They all take time to stop and smell the roses as it were. However, my lab, at 8 years of age, still pulls me if allowed. But my golden and my Father’s dog both trained nicely on leash and are a joy to walk.
Atleast, you don’t have the issue of mosquitoes while out for your early/late walks.
July 25, 2012 at 3:36 AM
Blobby
I’m finding Petey and his hound nose will stop at every tree smelling the tracking of every single squirrel that ever climbed it. Our walks take a LONG time.
July 25, 2012 at 5:52 AM
Ron
Walks anytime of the day will result in weight loss. The faster the pace, the more weight you will lose. The secret is to walk EVERY day which you can do in your climate, unlike where I live where the cold winter winds prevent me from walking every day. Jogging won’t cause you to lose any more weight by will cause stress on your joints which isn’t a good thing. Walk every day, slow or fast, the weight will drop off.
July 25, 2012 at 8:04 AM
domanidave
Ron, I have one word for you: parka.
July 25, 2012 at 6:57 AM
Mark
Since we moved into the new house with it’s invisible fence, I no longer have to walk the dog. I’ve also gained 5 lbs.
m.
July 25, 2012 at 7:24 AM
Urspo
Tell Fred you need to walk and be let out of your invisible fence!
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July 25, 2012 at 7:06 AM
Shawn
Walk, don’t iphone……
July 25, 2012 at 8:21 AM
anne marie in philly
“I already sense I am being trained to wake up prior to the alarm.” – harper has you wrapped around her paws fer sure!
July 25, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Richard Gabriel
When I retired in January, one thing I promised to myself was that I would take at least one walk of at least 30 minutes each day. I was a bit skeptic as to losing weight from this because the last time I lost 20 pounds, it was from running on the treadmill 4 or 5 times a week at the gym. I take a walk each morning, and most evenings too. I also have watched what I have been eating, especially portion sizes. (You may not realize that from some of the food pictures I post on my blog and on facebook!) I am happy that I have lost 20 pounds again! I have learned that it is very doable! Keep it up and good luck!
July 25, 2012 at 2:43 PM
tigerchanter
Our little one is the same way. They aren’t so much walks as they are “saunters”…
P.S. “Being clever before breakfast is terribly tedious and should be avoided, at least until tea.” Words to live by!
July 25, 2012 at 8:33 PM
Brent
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
July 25, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Erik Rubright
Maybe you could invest in a “pet papoose”. I’m sure that would allow for more efficient walks for you. And be a sight for your neighbors….
July 26, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Nik_TheGreek
You should congratulate yourself for doing it. I am generally a morning person but I still can’t easily get that early and leave my warm cozy bed