Deb’s Beachbody Hybrid Challenge

Human/Canine Hybrid Program

Okay, not what most folks expect when you mention a Beachbody hybrid program.  Usually it’s P90X/Insanity or another combo of exercises, but bear with me here.   As a newly-minted Independent Beachbody coach I work out regularly and do my best to eat right. Of course, I’m human and I don’t follow the nutrition plans to the letter, nor do I make every work out session. But my habits are good enough that they’ve made a significant difference to my overall health and physique. Anyone who knows me, knows that I sing the praises of Beachbody, and in particular, P90X to just about anyone who will listen. Why? Because it works despite my being a fallible human being.

And, little by little, my lifestyle changes are being adopted by my family. My husband, who does most of the meal preparation and all of the grocery shopping at our house has quit buying soda, cookies and chips adding more fresh fruits to the cart instead. All’s well that ends well, right? Not so fast…what about my two “babies” Jake and Gidget?

Jake and Gidget are two “middle-aged” lab mixes, our poochies have packed on the pounds over the past few years. Gidget used to be my running partner when she was younger and I was a more regular runner. Jake had free access to a large back yard through a doggie-door. Several years and a move later, both of them are essentially now lap dogs, albiet large ones. Sadly, my pets are not an exception to the rule. In 2006, it was estimated that the combined population of overweight/obese of dogs in the United States is between 23% and 41%. Like humans, dogs that are overweight are susceptible to health problems ranging from musculoskeletal disorders, glucose intolerance, cardiovascular problems and diabetes mellitus to bladder and mammary cancer.

Now that the family is getting fit, it’s time to come out of denial and change the lifestyle of my pets. Here is my simple plan:

* DIET – No more loving my poochies to death by giving them table scraps. Dog food, nothing but dog food – in the amount recommended for their breed and size.

* EXERCISE -
o Ease into the P90X doubles program by walking the dogs during the cardio component.
o Or – replace the cardio component of other workouts (like Brazil Butt Lift Cardio Axe) with walking the dogs for the same amount of time.

Sounds easy right? Easy for them because they’ll follow the program if I lead them. Perhaps not so easy for my family and I. Years of sweet faces wanting just a nibble of our steak have worn us down to the point that we’re wrapped around their tiny little paws. It has got to be tough love for them and for us! Beginning June 9th, I’ll be tracking our progress!

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