Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Dog Walk Essentials.
The Labradors rely on their “staff” for planning and executing their movement activities. They would like to share their top 3 essentials for dog walks. 1. Leashes and collars (so the staff doesn’t wander off). 2. 💩 bags (leave no trace). 3. A positive attitude…meaning a dog walk is all about the Labs…not about Ben’s Strava achievements.
Move more. Move often. When you move with dogs, put their needs first.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Explore New Places to Move.
The Labradors know the first key to making movement part of your lifestyle is finding movement activities you enjoy. For the Labs, that means hiking and trail running, especially on hilly, soft-surface trails. The second key is being consistent with your movement practice; move on a regular basis. Once you’ve established a consistent, enjoyable movement practice, you can incorporate the final suggestion from the Labs: explore new places to move to keep your routine from becoming boring. In this video, the Labs enjoyed the High Rocks climb to an abandoned fire tower in Savage River State Forest.
Move more. Move often. Be consistent. Explore new places to move.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Leash Your Humans.
When the Labs get outside to walk with their human staff, they make sure to keep the human on a leash. Their top 3 reasons for keeping Ben on a leash? 1. To keep Ben from getting distracted and wandering off. 2. Some people/dogs don’t appreciate an unleashed human running up to greet them. 3. To keep Ben safe (no darting off into traffic).
The #1 goal when you move outside is to get home safely. Move more. Move often. If you’re a dog moving outside, leash your human so that you all get home safely.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
If you eat crap 💩 you may feel like crap.
The Labs enjoy quality dog food and healthy snacks…they also have a tendency to eat whatever temptations they find on the ground, including, but not limited to, rabbit poop, deer 💩, sticks, acorns, and stink bugs…when they consume too many of these found objects, their digestive systems don’t function well…that was the case for Maggie last week after she foraged a few too many acorns on our hike. While Maggie has recovered, she wanted to share this lesson with our human followers because they’ve heard humans occasionally eat food (or consume beverages) that we know won’t agree with our systems, then whine when we don’t feel our best.
Whether you have 2 legs or 4, consider what you put in your mouth, and how those foods or beverages are likely to impact your body. No judgment here…sometimes you REALLY want the ice cream…even if you’re lactose intolerant…just know that what you consume has a direct impact on how you feel.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Don’t let “life” get in the way of movement.
Big changes are happening at FitLabPGH…we’re hiking in new places (this is Savage River State Forest in Garrett County, MD)…we’re setting up a new HQ…and a new name (stay tuned for FitLabDCL)…busy, busy 😹. The Labs are here to remind us, and you, that when life gets busy, it’s important to make time to move. Movement helps keep the Labs calm…and helps the humans manage stress.
Move more. Move often. Remember some movement is better than no movement…and ALL movement is better with Labradors.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
2024 Resolutions Check-In.
The Labradors don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. If something in their routine needs to be changed, their humans make the change right away. But if you made New Year’s resolutions this year, now is a good time to check in. We’re just over a month into 2024. Are your resolutions realistic given your life (responsibilities, schedule, etc…)? Are your resolutions designed to improve YOUR quality of life or were they shaped by pressure from your peers or social media? If your resolutions aren’t working for you, change them!
Move more. Move often. Move for yourself. Move with your dogs. Have a happy, healthy, movement-filled 2024.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Share the Trail.
We haven’t moved to another hemisphere; this is a never-before-released Labrador Lesson from October 2023. The message from the Labs: don’t interfere with other trail users. Whether we’re walking, running, or shooting videos, we stay aware of our surroundings, so that our actions don’t interfere with the ability of other trail users to enjoy the trail. We give plenty of space when passing others (or being passed by runners or cyclists), and when we’re stopped, we step completely off the trail. Little actions can make a big difference in making the trails an enjoyable place to move.
Move more. Move often. Share the trail by not interfering with the activities of other trail users.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Embrace New Adventures.
If you’re interested in trying new movement activities in 2024, but you’re nervous about new adventures, enlist a trusted friend (or an experienced instructor) to be your guide. Last week, the Labs joined us on a road trip to explore the new FitLab HQ in Garrett County, MD. They loved playing in the snow and meeting new people. They were a bit anxious in the new house, but they weren’t scared because they trust their humans (aka, the Staff) to keep them safe.
Move more. Move often. Recruit a trusted friend (or instructor) and embrace new movement adventures in 2024.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Rest Is Not a “Bad” Word.
Rest has 4 letters, but it’s NOT a “bad” word. Rest and recovery are essential to an active, healthy lifestyle. Make time to rest. Enjoy your rest days without guilt. Your rest days will allow you to move more in the future. Last Wednesday, the labs enjoyed a rest day, complete with oatmeal baths at the Tractor Supply “spa.” They resumed their regular movement routine on Thursday, clean and energized.
Move more. Move often. Incorporate rest and recovery into your movement routine.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Happy New Year. Move More in 2024.
The Labradors don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. If something in their routine needs to be changed, their humans make the change right away. But if you’re looking for a resolution for 2024, consider resolving to Move More.
Move more. Move often. Move with your dogs. Have a happy, healthy, movement-filled new year.