[Farm93]

The best health improvement device you can have is dog to create metamorphic guilt on you if you don’t walk them. One of my dogs eats his and his brother’s poop if not supervised, so I get up to let them out and go outside with them to potty. And they drink a lot so I always have to fill their water bowl too. They also get fed three times/day instead of two bigger meals morning and night. This also makes me get up more. I probably walk 2 miles every day between dedicated walk and just all the other walking in and around the house.

There is nothing wrong with reduced caloric intake. The only reason you need more calories than needed to live is to keep on weight for sports performance. I hate making lunch so I often skip it, with only a granola, protein bar in between breakfast and dinner. Also drink pretty much only water. No juices, soda, or anything else with rare exception.

You are what you eat, so consume quality food, avoid unhealthy snacks, and you will more than likely enjoy good health, especially if you get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, which you have no excuse not to be getting while mostly stuck at home.

I once attended a global medical conference on peripheral vascular disease and the cascade of complications associated with not remaining active.

The USA panelist talked about frequently testing, therapists, physical trainers, exercise journals and on and on to show how difficult and expensive if can be to encourage patients to remain active.  Despite all of those health care resources compliance remains low as patients don't get and stay active even if losing extremities may be the result.

The UK based panelist was asked what they do in the UK.  He indicated they tell patients they must get a dog.

Full stop.  

A number of the other panelists were confused, and the USA-based audience members really thought he was joking.

He went on to explain that it is easy for patients to put false entries into journals and tell medical professionals all the right things a few times a month.  However, those dogs drive daily compliance for a number of reasons, and are a lot less expensive then all of those expensive professionals the USA panelists noted.

Of course, in the USA many would probably just hire dog walkers, but as I saw your comment I couldn't help but recall that conference.

[Farm93]

The best health improvement device you can have is dog to create metamorphic guilt on you if you don’t walk them. One of my dogs eats his and his brother’s poop if not supervised, so I get up to let them out and go outside with them to potty. And they drink a lot so I always have to fill their water bowl too. They also get fed three times/day instead of two bigger meals morning and night. This also makes me get up more. I probably walk 2 miles every day between dedicated walk and just all the other walking in and around the house.

There is nothing wrong with reduced caloric intake. The only reason you need more calories than needed to live is to keep on weight for sports performance. I hate making lunch so I often skip it, with only a granola, protein bar in between breakfast and dinner. Also drink pretty much only water. No juices, soda, or anything else with rare exception.

You are what you eat, so consume quality food, avoid unhealthy snacks, and you will more than likely enjoy good health, especially if you get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, which you have no excuse not to be getting while mostly stuck at home.

I once attended a global medical conference on peripheral vascular disease and the cascade of complications associated with not remaining active.

The USA panelist talked about frequently testing, therapists, physical trainers, exercise journals and on and on to show how difficult and expensive if can be to encourage patients to remain active.  Despite all of those health care resources compliance remains low as patients don't get and stay active even if losing extremities may be the result.

The UK based panelist was asked what they do in the UK.  He indicated they tell patients they must get a dog.

Full stop.  

A number of the other panelists were confused, and the USA-based audience members really thought he was joking.

He went on to explain that it is easy for patients to put false entries into journals and tell medical professionals all the right things a few times a month.  However, those dogs drive daily compliance for a number of reasons, and are a lot less expensive then all of those expensive professionals the USA panelists noted.

Of course, in the USA many would probably just hire dog walkers, but as I saw your comment I couldn't help but recall that conference.