CNN’s Dr. Gupta has a new video out that reports that dog owners may have an edge in the battle of losing weight. A study done by Basset Healthcare in New York showed that people who walked their dogs not only lost more weight than those who did not have dogs to walk, but they were more likely to keep the extra weight off due to the fact they had a reason to continue the walking exercise.
Another article by BBC News shows that the companionship given by dogs or other pets makes people happier and less stressed overall. Studies show that pet owners tend to be healthier members of the population, having lower blood pressure and cholesterol than non pet owners. Many doctors believe the the stress relief may be one key factor for this trend.
Pets have also shown to have positive effects on those with serious illnesses such as cancer, and for older people who may live alone.
I know from personal experience that when I got a dog, my depression seemed to lift. I think, more than anything, getting a dog helped me feel better from day to day. When I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, I had my dog help me get up and out and actually get moving. And, my dog’s love was always there, many times, he made me laugh, when nothing else seemed to work. I can honestly say that my dog is a big reason I am no longer depressed.
If you think getting a dog might help you, contact your local SPCA who can match you up with a dog or cat that will match your lifestyle. Much of the time, you can specify that you want a dog or cat that is already potty trained…much easier than working with a puppy if you’ve never owned an animal before. In addition, they can give you support through the first few months of living with a pet.
I got a call from my old friends called me last night. We hadn’t talked for a long while, so we shared a lot of news from our lives as well as laughing about some of the memories we had.
My friend was a championship bull rider of her high school. I was blown away when she showed me one day. She made it look easy. When I said I wanted to do it, she actually told me I probably shouldn’t do it, that it took years of training before she had enough strength to ride bulls.
“Come on,” I said. “It’s not like cowboys are the athletic types.”
She took of her shirt and showed me the most ripped female body I’ve ever seen and then explained to me what it *really* takes to ride a bull — and for that matter — be in the rodeo circuit at all.
An extremely strong, flexible back and shoulders: Part of the art of riding a bull requires a back that has the ability to take a lot of shock and be able to move freely. And, getting whipped around the way you do actually builds up muscle tissue.
Strong Arms and wrists for gripping the rope and moving for balance. You use all the muscles in your hands and forearms to grip.
A core and chest of steel Just as your back must be strong, your core must also be strong on the front of the body to handle the shock and jarring of the ride. Your core must be as strong as your back so your body isn’t lopsided.
A sense of balance that rivals that of a gymnast When you’re getting whipped around, knowing which way is up is a valuable skill.
How did my friend get in shape to do all this. Among other things, by tossing 80 pound alfalfa bales in the fall on her neighbor’s horse farm.
When I was just out of college, my friend and I attended the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, and it really put my perspective of cowboys and cowgirls in a new light. Many people don’t give them the credit for the athletes they really are. If you get a chance to see a large rodeo with professional cowboys and girls, it’s worth seeing. Television just doesn’t show you the amazing things these athletes can do.
This year, Wrangler is sponsoring the National Rodeo Finals in December. I remember, 10,000 years ago when I attended that there were no bad seats in the house, so whatever ticket you get is a good one. Here is a place to buy WNFR Tickets.
Everyone needs to know how to perform a self breast examination. It’s something you need to do each month so you can monitor changes in your breasts. Sometimes, though, it helps to have a trusted friend or spouse help you with this as they can see changes you may not. The following video shows you to do a self breast exam and what changes to look for in your breasts.
Some people may find the following video to be inappropriate for children as it does show bare breasts.
