Denise Gaylord, a fitness trainer and creator of the four-year-old Provincetown Fitness & Food Challenge, has teamed up with the Herring Cove Animal Hospital to include dogs in the upcoming winter weight loss program. Starting on Jan. 4 and running concurrently with the 10-week program for humans, dogs will receive their own exercise and fitness routine developed by Dr. Sadie Hutchings, a veterinarian at the Herring Cove pet hospital, 79 Shankpainter Road.
Dr. Sadie Hutchings, Denise Gaylord and Layla get ready for the 2014 Provincetown Fido Fitness Challenge.
PHOTO/ PHOTO BY PRU SOWERS
Dr. Sadie Hutchings, Denise Gaylord and Layla get ready for the 2014 Provincetown Fido Fitness Challenge.
Need some moral support to help stay on your New Year’s diet? With this winter’s Fitness & Food Challenge, look no further than your dog.
Denise Gaylord, a fitness trainer and creator of the four-year-old Provincetown Fitness & Food Challenge, has teamed up with the Herring Cove Animal Hospital to include dogs in the upcoming winter weight loss program. Starting on Jan. 4 and running concurrently with the 10-week program for humans, dogs will receive their own exercise and fitness routine developed by Dr. Sadie Hutchings, a veterinarian at the Herring Cove pet hospital, 79 Shankpainter Road.
“We are recognizing that pets are overweight and those numbers are rising every year,” Hutchings said, citing a 2009 study that estimated 30 to 40 percent of American pets are overweight. “We’re focusing on how to make [dogs] more healthy.”
The Provincetown Fido Fitness Challenge will use many of the same elements as Gaylord’s Fitness Challenge for humans. For a $99 fee, Hutchings will examine the dog and develop an exercise and diet plan for the pooch. Owners will be able to consult with Hutchings every two weeks and also will get a journal to record weight changes. As another incentive, Herring Cove Animal Hospital will offer 25 percent off weight loss food during the 10-week challenge.
“We’re not saying no more treats. We’re saying, can we change what we’re giving them? Maybe we can give them more treats but ones lower in calories,” Hutchings said.
Gaylord was quick to embrace the idea of adding dogs to her four-year-old Fitness Challenge. Not only will it help the pets, it will encourage owners to increase their own exercise levels, she said. She’s hoping for the same level of success with canines that she has had with many of her previous Challenge participants. Almost 200 local people have taken the Challenge over the past three winter seasons, losing hundreds of pounds and dozens of inches around their waist.
This year promises more of the same fitness formula, Gaylord said. Each participant will receive an in-depth journal written by Gaylord filled with fitness, exercise and eating tips, as well as a detailed 20-minute daily workout. Gaylord will offer twice-a-week group sessions at two local gyms, as well as on-line support.
Several local businesses are also joining the Fitness Challenge. Fanizzi’s restaurant has a winter fitness menu. The Provincetown Library has available for loan a Fitness Challenge DVD with instruction and fitness hints, all wrapped up with commentary by several local comedians. And the Provincetown Gym, Mussel Beach Health Club, Ebb & Flow Personal Training & Pilates Studio and the Strength & Clarity Movement & Yoga Studio are all offering days where Challenge participants can use the facilities for free.
“Not only are [participants] getting the 20-minute fitness workout, they can take advantage of all the classes at that gym, like Zumba, yoga, Pilates or spin,” Gaylord said. “You can plug into everything that is offered or fly under the radar at your own pace.”
There will be prizes for both humans and dogs, including a grand prize in the Fido Fitness Challenge of a six-month supply of Royal Canine weight loss food. For humans, Gaylord will be offering weekly prizes for the most improved.
The cost of the Fitness Challenge by itself is $279. However, if you sign up for both the human and canine programs, the total cost will be $318. There is a Jan. 4 sign-up session for humans at the Veterans Memorial Community Center on Mayflower Avenue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dog owners can sign up for the Fido Fitness Challenge on or before Jan. 4 by calling (508) 487-6449.
“I would love to see a dog who is not walking that well look forward to a walk,” Hutchings said. “The weight loss is important, but just having people think about it would be wonderful.”