Woof Worthy Reads: the Dieting With My Dog Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance

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It’s no secret that Mama needs all the help she can get when it comes to weight loss.

After all, she’s been brutally honest about her fat pants, her over enthusiastic way of tackling challenges far beyond her fitness level and how she is in (frankly) mediocre shape. Still, she tries hard and she knows that she wants to do better. She even hosts K9 Kamp, alongside Peggy’s Pet Place and You Did What With Your Weiner. She loves how the challenge gets us out and getting fit together and she can’t wait for the next Kamp in October, but sometimes, she needs a bit of help & encouragement between Kamps.

She loved Peggy’s book, Dieting with My Dog and so, she’s SUPER excited for it’s new companion: the Dieting With My Dog Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance.

Mama was a big fan of the first book. She hates diet books written by fitness gurus. She’d much rather read something by someone who “gets” her. Someone who struggles with fitness and just wants to do their best. She really enjoyed reading Peggy’s story and since we kind of have an in with the author, she decided to abuse the connection and ask Peggy a few questions about the new book, life with two dogs  and her own fitness ideas.

Q: When we last left you and Kelly, at the end of Dieting with My Dog, you were working on a weight loss program and getting fit together. Where does the new book pick up?

 A: One of the last lines of Dieting with my Dog is that it is a lifelong journey. We are always working on keeping up the good habits and making good choices. The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance is a companion book to the first book.

Q: Dieting with my Dog was more of a personal story that shared yours (and Kelly’s) journey with weight loss. This book is a guide book. What differences can we expect to see? Is this book more hands on & “do this” type advice?

 A: Yes, exactly! This book contains “how-to” information on losing weight, eating healthy and exercising for people and dogs! Additionally, it’s not just my experiences, but also many other devoted dog lovers who share how-to tips on the sports and activities they love to do with their dogs.

Q: Has anything changed about how you and Kelly tackle fitness and diet? Have you learned anything that really swayed you to try something different or has this been a process of discovering (and sticking to) the things that really work for you guys?

A: A little of both. We’ve learned that you have to do what works for you, and you have to constantly motivate yourself to keep up the good habits. But, in writing the book I discovered new activities that Kelly, Ike and I can do together to vary our routine and make keeping the weight off more fun. 

Q: You’ve called this book the Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance. To you – what is the difference between the two? Do you have a different strategy for when you’re losing weight vs. trying to keep it off?

 A: I do look at them differently, because so many diets work, and then you think There! I did it! That’s the end! It’s such a relief to get to that goal weight, it feels like you’ve reached the finish line. But you haven’t, because keeping weight off is the most difficult part. At this point, it’s not so much learning new things, but how to keep your head in the game. I’ve included motivational strategies to focus on how to keep those goals in focus.

Q: Do you have a go to snack for when you’ve got the munchies? Does Kelly?  

A: I usually crave something sweet, so I’ll grab a banana. It’s quick and easy and filling. I know some diets say avoid bananas because they’re actually high in calories. But weight watchers says you can have unlimited bananas for zero points, so I’m going with that. 

Kelly still loves baby carrots. And they’re not gone in one gulp, it takes her a few seconds to chew them!

Q: How has adding Brooks and later, Ike to your family changed the dynamic of your fitness routine? I know Brooks had some health issues. Was that hard to work around?

 A: Adopting another dog actually helped, because we were more diligent about getting out and walking the dogs together, partly as part of a pack-bonding routine, and partly for exercise. Kelly is 11 now, and spends more time lying around and sleeping. But the golden retrievers needed more exercise. Brooks did well on his walks up until the last few weeks. Ike is younger, he’s 6, so my husband takes him running and he loves it!

Q: Do you, Ike and Kelly have one fitness activity that you both love? What about one you hate? 

A: Ike loves chasing a tennis ball, he could do it all day. Kelly could care less about the tennis ball. We all love walking together as a family, we do it every morning and most nights. And any time before we have to go out and leave them for an hour or two, they get another walk. We also love to go to the park and put them on super-long leads and let them have room to run or sniff about wherever they want. My husband and I have added the gym to our workout. I’m not crazy about going to the gym. In the book, I have a large section on Woof Workouts from the K9 Fit Club, a gym that actually allows people and dogs to work out together! There are now more than 30 K9 Fit Clubs nationwide. I’d enjoy going to the gym a lot more if we had one near us, but unfortunately there’s not one yet.

 You can get your copy of the Dieting With My Dog Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance on Amazon. I know Mama can’t wait to get her paws on a copy and read it. I sense a lot of couch and snuggle time coming up. Does it count as “lazy bones” if you’re reading about getting fit? Probably, eh?

Bark back! Did you read the Peggy’s book, Dieting With My Dog? What did you think? Do you and your dog have a favourite exercise or a go to snack??