Tag Archives: trail dogs

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 39:22 Dog Walk Essentials

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Labrador Lesson for 9/29/22:

Dog Walk Essentials.

The Labs wanted to share the essentials for a safe, fun dog walk. They asked Ben to help out with the lesson…check out the video…or just read along for the essentials. The most essential element is an engaged human, who is focused on the dogs! After that, the labs suggest you include the following items: 1. A stylish collar (the labs like climbing rope). 2. A sturdy, colorful leash (again, climbing rope is great). 3. Snacks (depending on distance/duration). 4. Water (depending on temperature). 5. A First Aid Kit.

The Labs believe in making movement a lifestyle, so, whether you have 2 legs or 4, gather the essentials, get outside, and get moving.

Visit www.FitLabPGH.com for tips, hacks, and podcasts to help you get moving and keep moving through 2022!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 2:22 There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather

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Have you heard the news from the FitLabPGH Labs??? We’ve introduced Labrador Lessons from the FitLabPGH Podcast! Every Thursday, we’ll be bringing you wisdom from the FitLabPGH Labradors (with occasional input from the cats).

Our message for 1-13-22:

There’s no such thing as bad weather!

The Labs love to move outside…no matter the weather…ok, they’re not huge fans of summer heat, but if we seek shade and stop for water breaks, they don’t complain…as for the weather humans tend to dislike…rain and snow…those are the BEST days for the labradors 

Whether you have 4 or 2 legs, the labs encourage you to do what you need to do to Be Prepared (proper gear, extra water, plan your route accordingly…) then Get Outside and Just Move…Regardless of Weather!

Check our website weekly for tips, hacks, and podcasts to help you get moving and keep moving through 2022!

Tips for Making Your Dogs Part of Your Active Lifestyle – FitLabPGH Video Podcast

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This week’s FitLabPGH Podcast release is a video podcast providing tips for making your dog(s) part of your active lifestyle. If you are looking for individual advice on dog health and nutrition, we STRONGLY encourage you to consult your veterinarian.

Listen to the audio, or enjoy the Labradors in the video podcast.

Our goal is to include our dogs in our active lifestyle…throughout their lifespan. That means that our movement practice is NOT all about us…we need to make choices to keep the dogs healthy and safe.

Tip 1: Create an active lifestyle for your dogs. Take them for walks or runs. Give them time and space for doggy play. And help them maintain a healthy weight. Active dogs at a healthy weight are less likely to get injured than dogs carrying extra weight. Yes, this means monitoring food and treats to prevent overeating (or undereating). Dogs do not know how much food they need. Ask your vet for advice. Side note: the Labs love the pumpkin treats from Portland Pet Food Company. We split 1 treat into 6 pieces, and each dog thinks she’s getting 3 treats!

Tip 2: Don’t overwork the dogs. This is year-round advice, but it is especially important on hot summer days. We get out early, seek shade and soft surfaces, let the dogs set the pace, and make frequent water stops. Maggie is a water snob and only Berkey Filters filtered water in her Nalgene bottle makes a walk complete.

Tip 3: Let the dogs set the pace. Once you get a dog, your movement practice is no longer ALL about you. We’ve all seen a reluctant dog being dragged along by a focused runner…PLEASE don’t be that dog owner.

Tip 4: Start slowly when introducing your dog to a new movement practice. Whether you have a puppy or a dog who isn’t used to regular movement, start slowly, and gradually build up to a longer movement routine. Side note: don’t “GO Hard” or “Crush It” every day. Listen to your dog, and watch for signs of heat stress or overwork. Include active recovery days in your dog’s routine…remember, the goal is to create a movement routine that your dog can enjoy throughout its lifespan.

Take home message: get outside, and enjoy moving with your dog. While you may sacrifice a bit of fitness to make your dog part of your movement lifestyle, the mental health and quality of life rewards provided by your dog make the “sacrifice” worthwhile.

Check out the FitLabPGH Movement Tips and Lifestyle Hacks videos every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for tips and hacks to help you, and your dog(s) move more…move better…and stay safe…throughout 2021.

Contact Info for FitLabPGH:
Email: fitlabpgh@gmail.com

Twitter: @fitlabpgh

Instagram: @fitlabpgh

We update via Facebook too!!

Movement Tips and Lifestyle Hacks – YouTube channel (posted on Instagram too)

Fill out our FitLabPGH Features form to be a FitLabPGH featured mover…or fill one out for your 4 legged movement partner (dog, cat, goat or horse!!)

Check out our sister podcast Moving2Live concise but interesting podcasts for the movement and exercise professional and amateur aficionado.

FitLabPGH Features 33:20 Kristin – @4run2

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FitLabPGH is a podcast about movement and movement opportunities in the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Once a week we also highlight a FitLabPGH mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click FitLabPGH Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Kristin – @4run2

Are you a Pittsburgh native? If not, what brought you to the Pittsburgh area? If so, why are you still here? Yes. I grew up here, but moved away for college and a couple years after. I’ve been back for about 7 years. Most of my family is here and I love being close to them.

What are your three favorite movement activities in the Pittsburgh area? Running, rock climbing, mountain biking

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Patagonia. My now husband and I did an awesome hiking trip in Argentina and Chile about 2 years ago. The scenery was gorgeous, the hikes were challenging, but fun, and the food was amazing! My favorite part of the trip was an overnight mountaineering trip we did with a guide.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Pre- apples, post- Diet Dr Pepper and pretzels

What is your favorite thing to eat in Pittsburgh? Note: it does not need to be healthy. French Fries

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? My husband and I are hoping to bike the GAP trail from PGH to DC next year! I would also love to do a dog trail race with my pup!

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? Either motivation or finding something they enjoy doing. It can be hard to stay motivated if you are not seeing the results you want to see or if you are not enjoying the activity. I love to run. I love being outside and I use that hour as me time. A lot of people hate running and see it more as torture than a fun activity.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Lead Rock Climbing

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Recovery- sitting on the couch 😂. Self care- pedicures. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of at home pedicures/foot baths. Running does a lot of work to my feet and I try and keep them looking decent.

What is your favorite spot in Pittsburgh? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) Frick Park

Contact info for Kristin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4run2/