My Golden GymWritten by Marcia Passos Duffy
Continued from page 1
everywhere, and no matter what – your dog will always love you. Last August we got a golden retriever puppy. Much like when I became a new mother, I vastly underestimated how much work goes into raising a small being. By 2nd week of night-crying (me and puppy) I was beginning to rethink merits of having a dog. I was going outside more times than I wanted to be outside. (Uh, like, 8-10 times a day). Long walks were out of question as Sadie would plop down for a nap at most inconvenient times (halfway through our walks). But as she grew, so did her seriousness about her “job” to take me into woods and keep me fit. We were soon up to 3 miles a day by winter. She also was housebroken and down to 3-4 “business walks” a day. I enjoyed our walks, and by looks of her smile (yes, dogs do smile!) she was loving every minute of it too. There is nothing like a dog to keep you in touch with nature. I don’t think I would voluntarily go outside in sub-freezing weather. Or take a walk around block at night before bedtime. But I do with Sadie. And I’m grateful for that. I'm also grateful for stars that I see most nights. For phases of moon, which I now notice. For changing seasons that I witness first hand with each familiar tree around bend. Grateful for ever-changing Ashuelot River near our home, with its pattern of freezing and thawing. For birds, who rarely sing in dead of winter and who return with happy songs in April. It is an interesting world, one which I have in past avoided due to inconvenience of being outside in rain, sleet, cold or snow. Now, at 10 months old, Sadie is officially my walking dog. And thanks to a Puppy Kindergarten class she can also sit, stay, come and heel on command. She is also unbelievably devoted not only to me – but to everyone in family, even cats and guinea pig. She lets me know when mail has arrived. She keeps my feet warm when I’m at writing at computer. She looks at me with those warm loving eyes like…she thinks I’m just wonderful! She has become more than my walking dog -- she's my, well, co-worker here at my home office. I can’t imagine life without her. The two of us, walk -- a lot. I feel good, healthy. And I no longer go to gym. No need for that anymore -- now that I have my “golden” gym. =================================== Marcia Passos Duffy is editor and publisher of The Heart of New England (www.TheHeartofNewEngland.com), a free monthly online magazine that celebrates unique character of Northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Subscribe to our weekly companion newsletter, "From: The Heart of New England" for latest on area's bed & breakfast specials, prizes, gardening tips, recipes and more! To subscribe send a blank email to: heartofnewengland-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Marcia Passos Duffy is a freelancer writer and publisher/editor of The Heart of New England online magazine. www.TheHeartofNewEngland.com
| | Fitness Woman. Do you need a reason to get fit?Written by Kevin Doberstein
Continued from page 1
Let’s get active! Now let us touch on lack of exercise and obesity. Do you have to train for a triathlon to get into shape? No. But you do have to increase your activity part of your lifestyle. Simple steps like getting off couch while watching TV and taking a walk. Parking in back part of parking lot at work to increase walking distance. You don’t really need fancy equipment just to lose a few pounds. Just determination. Or maybe you would like to start Fitness Walking. An excellent low cost workout. You are saying to yourself “what is difference between walking and Fitness Walking?” With Fitness Walking you pace yourself fast enough to elevate your heart rate. When you reach your targeted heart rate, you are at optimum fat burning. Basically you need a higher quality walking shoe and a program to follow. Or maybe join a yoga or Pilates class. What ever you think you would like to do and stay at it. The fact of matter! Women may reduce breast cancer 25% to 35% with reasonable exercise. Again you don’t have to train for a triathlon to receive benefits. Drop extra weight by watching your diet and becoming more active in your lifestyle. Jeopardizing your health is last thing Nature Boy wants. Please check with your doctor before starting a fitness program. We want to make this a healthy start to a better lifestyle.
Author Bio: Kevin Doberstein has been a natural bodybuilder for the past 25 years. 15 years as a gym owner in Northern Wisconsin. Kevin enjoys walking on the Ice Age Trail in northern Wisconsin with Charliee the Wonder Dog. For more articles about bodybuilding, Fitness Walking, nutrition and a Fitness Walking program you can visit his site and join his newsletter at www.nature-boy-bodybuilding.com. You can contact him at natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com.
|
