Get Fit With A Fine Companion— Your Canine (NAPSA)—Asmillions of Amer- icans make the commitment to lead a healthier lifestyle and lose weight, health and fitness trainerto-the-stars Michael George, offers a new approach for success: team up with your dog and have fun getting fit together. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, one in three dogs may be overweight— a serious problem considering it can lead to the development of such other medical issues as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers. That’s a major reason one approach gaining in popularity is to work your dog into your workoutroutine. “Getting fit isn’t easy no matter who you are but whether with dogs or humans, changing your habits is the secret to winning on the fitness front,” said George, an accredited health and fitness expert whose clients include celebrities Meg Ryan, Reese Witherspoon and Christian Slater. “You’ve heard it time and time again but eating well and exercising are two keys to leading a healthier lifestyle and losing weight—and that’s true for both you and your dog.” Tips From The Expert George recommends three basic steps for making the transition easier: 1. Start with diet—for humans, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional treat now and then— all foods have a place in a balanced diet. Try to get the bulk of your daily calories from a tasty TopTips Together with PEDIGREE Food For Dogs, celebrity fitness trainer Michael George offersthese tips for getting in shape with your dog: Eating well is key. A healthy eating plan can bethe secret fo success for both you and your dog. Exercise together. Teaching your dog a new gamelike fetch can help burn more calories. e Start off slow. Check with your doctor or veterinarian before starting any weightloss plan for you or your dog. @ variety of lean meats, fat-free dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain products such as whole-grain breads, whole-grain pastas and brownrice. For your dog, research shows that a highprotein, low-carb diet helps dogs lose weight without losing lean muscle. An easy way to help your canine shed the extra pounds may be with the PEDIGREE 2-Step weight-loss program. Step One, Weight Loss is the highest-protein dry food formula on the market, and is designed to help dogs safely lose up to 10 percent of their body weight over 12-weeks. Step Two, Weight Maintenance, helps dogs maintain a healthy weight once they’ve achievedit. When it comes to snacks, for both you and your dog, the rule is always all things in moderation. Additionally, keep in mind that dogs should not regularly eat table scraps—those quick bites addto his or her calorie count, too. 2. Exercise is critical for both humansanddogs. In fact, a recent study has shown that people who team up with their dogs to lose weight have more fun losing weight than those whodiet alone. To help get an optimal workout for both of you, teach your dog a new active game like fetch or maneuvering an obstacle course. Mix up walks by changingroutes or alternating a brisk walk with a short jog. Many health clubs around the country now offer classes that involve dogs, such as doggie yoga. “T tell my clients to be a personal trainer for their dogs, since as an owner, you are responsible for making sure your dog not only eats right but also gets enough exercise,” said George. “You can bring this to life in many ways. For example, joining or starting a neighborhood dogwalking club can be a fun way to catch up with neighbors while also keeping both you and your pup active.” 3. George stresses that it’s important to start off slowly if you and your pooch aren’t used to exercise. Just as you would check in with your doctor before embarking on a weight loss program, be sure to check in with your veterinarians before beginning a weight loss program for your dog. For more information on the 2- Step Weight Program andtips for keeping your dog active and healthy, visit www.pedigree.com and take the Healthy DogTest.
