Yes — Dog Walking IS Real Exercise

In a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, adults were asked about leisure time physical activity. Interestingly, people often forgot to include walking (including dog walking) among their listed activities. One in ten people who would meet recommendations for leisure time physical activity was not identified as having done so unless the researchers directly asked about walking as a specific activity. Apparently, people don’t associate walking or dog walking with exercise!

If you’ve been keeping up with Fit As Fido, you’re well aware that dog walking is a terrific form of exercise.

- Expect to burn about 150-250 calories per hour when walking Fido.
- You’ll burn about 3 times more calories walking Fido compared to watching television.

Dog walking is great exercise. It’s easy to go at a comfortable pace. Your goal should be to walk a total of 150 minutes per week, which you can break into 10- or 20-minute segments to do a couple times each day. Use the Fit As Fido walking calendar to chart your progress. As you get more comfortable, keep your time the same, but pick up the pace and you’ll be walking longer. Remember — you should be able to carry on a conversation when you’re walking. If you can sing while walking, you’re not walking fast enough — pick up the pace. If you can’t easily chat — slow it down.

So slip into a comfortable pair of sneakers or, if you live near me, boots, whistle for Fido, and start walking. And yes — walking is REAL exercise!