My New Trainer
As most of you know, I’ve adopted a healthier way of eating in my quest to lose 60 lbs. As of right now, I’ve lost 17 pounds and a total of 6 inches, and though I know I still have a long ways to go, I’m focused and dedicated on getting every last pound off my body. And with that in mind, I knew there was something else I needed to add to my new lifestyle. Exercise.
Ugh. Let me put my feelings about this in simple terms. I. HATE. EXCERCISE. It’s not something I enjoy at all, even though I realize there are so many healthy benefits to reving up my pulse and working out my muscles. And, it really does go hand in hand with the weight loss. So, I’ve accepted, albeit reluctantly, that I do need to incorporate some kind of exercise into my routine. But knowing myself and what a slacker I am when it comes to exercising, I knew that I’d need someone to keep me motivated. Someone who wouldn’t let me slack off when I’m feeling lazy. Someone who would force me to get off my butt and do what I needed to do, and didn’t take “no” for an answer.
I realized I needed a trainer. Someone that I would be accountable to, and it was their job to keep me motivated and on track. So, after some researching, I found Jared. Isn’t he just the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen? I figured if I was going to be working out, that having someone who looked like Jared couldn’t hurt. Wouldn’t you wake up smiling every day and anxious to get to your work-out session if you had this stud muffin waiting for you?
Yeah, don’t I wish? To be honest, Jared is my fantasy trainer.
Here’s my actual reality. My new trainer is our family dog. Yep, you read that correctly. Let me introduce you to Sandie Denison, our 5 year old canine who is currently keeping me 
motivated and exercising on a daily basis. Over the years that we’ve had Sandie, she gets her own exercise by chasing lizards in the backyard, and we also play ball with her, which she loves. However, when I made the decision to add daily exercise into my life (and instantly ruled out a daily trip to the gym!), I decided to start with a walk around the neighborhood every evening. And who better to accompany me than Sandie? After one evening walk, we were both hooked.
Let me tell you, if you think Sandie is a light-weight at thirty-four pounds, you’re sorely mistaken. Sandie is a rigid and tough trainer, and she literally walks me. She doesn’t accept excuses and she certainly doesn’t cut me any slack on the walk. After the first evening, Sandie decided that this form of exercise was going to be a daily event, whether I wanted to or not. Every day at five in the afternoon, she finds me and gives me “the look”. I’m not joking. It’s the look that says “I’ve been good all day long and now it’s time for my walk”. I’ve tried to ignore her, but she is relentless. She’ll follow me through the house and even whine, which is something she rarely does. If I tell her to be quiet and go lay down, she’ll obey, but she’ll lay down right where I am, with her snout on her paws, and her big brown eyes looking up at me. Talk about a guilt-trip!
I swear, there are days when I’m just not in the mood to walk, but I just can’t bring myself to 
disappoint Sandie. I start to feel guilty because the walk brings her so much pleasure, and this is such a small thing to give to her when she gives the family so much. So, I resign myself to the fact that I will be getting my daily dose of exercise after all. The leash comes out of the closet, and Sandie goes beserk. She does her “I’m-so-excited” dance on the tile floor, and she’ll bark until the leash is attached to her collar. I have to admit, this really does make me smile, because she’s just so darn cute and happy in that moment.
Then, off we go on our hour long walk around the neighborhood, which is a little over three miles long. I have to tell you that Sandie is NOT one of those dogs that slowly strolls along. This dog is a power-walker and keeps me walking at a very quick pace. She has things to sniff, stuff to do, and people and other dogs to see — and she’s not about to waste her time on a leisure stroll. She’s not about to slow down for anything. The first half of the walk is fairly easy and is mostly even ground, though the fast pace does accelerate my heart-rate. The second half of the walk is a mile and a half of a gradual incline that nearly kills me. Not Sandie. She’s still doing her power-walk, and when I attempt to slow down, she’ll have none of it. She will pull me along and force me to keep up. By the time we arrive back at home, I’m feeling the burn in my hips, butt, and thighs, I’m sweating, and we’re both panting for breath.
Whew. Exercise complete. 
Yes, Sandie is my new trainer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Not to mention that we’re both healthier for her persistence. She motivates me and won’t let me slack off – not even one day a week. In return, all she demands from me is love and attention and a few treats. I think I can handle that.
I hate exercise too. Just not fun, and I’ve never been able to read while on the treadmill. Too busy concentrating on not tripping. But since you are adamant about being healthy Janelle, and if you don’t have Jared in your life, Sandie seems like a perfect alternative. What a cutie she is, and I can just imagine she’d keep going if you let her LOL
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 17, 2006 @ 6:47 am
She is a good looking pup.
And I’ll take Jared off your hands. Wouldn’t want to make Sandie jealous.
Comment by Heather Harper — August 17, 2006 @ 7:34 am
Too bad about Jared, though Sandy
seems up to the task. Do you have Jared’s phone number by chance 
Comment by Kris — August 17, 2006 @ 7:39 am
What a great little trainer!
I hate exercise, too, but it seems my muse lives at the gym. For some strange reason, I’m a lot more creative when I’m exercising regularly.
Comment by Jamie — August 17, 2006 @ 7:42 am
Congratulations on your healthy life style success
and it seems you found a great trainer 
who is still cute and a task master!
Comment by Yolanda — August 17, 2006 @ 8:18 am
Awww, Sandie is so darn cute! They really do get you with that big brown puppy-dog stare, don’t they?
Way to go Janelle, on working so hard toward your goal. I know you’ll make it!
Comment by Leslie — August 17, 2006 @ 8:40 am
You know Janelle, I have lost 16 pounds myself but seem to have hit a plateu (sp?) I can’t seem to get the scale to go down any farther. :cursing:
I also have a trainer….my 2 year old daughter. Once I start pushing her in the carriage she refuses to get out. She looks up at me and tells me “I can’t get out momma.” LOL!! So I keep pushing until she is staisfied. That is about all the exercise I get though…like you I HATE IT!!
Congrats on the weight loss though…I love it when you put on a pair of pants that were snug before and now they are baggy.
Comment by Kelly — August 17, 2006 @ 9:35 am
I’d take Sandie over Jared any day … OK not really but still. She is adorable! I’ve been using a trainer since February. Two days a week, one when it’s hectic, plus treadmill in between. I’ve GAINED weight. I don’t think I’ve lost ounces or inches either. I guess a change in diet is next.
Comment by Carly — August 17, 2006 @ 9:42 am
Sandie is super cute….my two youngest ones used to be my trainers, but my four year old is slacking and thinks that it’s too cold to go for a walk (not even the motivation of the construction site is working). Hopefully, he’ll get out of it and we’ll get back in the routine.
Comment by katie — August 17, 2006 @ 9:51 am
Carly, As discouraging as gaining weight may be from having a trainer, it is probably the situation that you are gaining muscle which weighs more than fat, but takes up far less room in your clothes.
Don’t be discouraged. If you watch what you eat and do more cardio your weight will go down. Weight training is a v. good thing because the more muscle you have the higher your metabolism will be and the more calories you will burn.
Way to go, Janelle, on sticking with it. My pup does the pulling thing, too. Although I’m trying trying to train her out of that habit. I have an injury right now, so walking her and doing yoga are the only things I can do that don’t make me feel worse. And although Jared might be hot, based on looking at his bod I’m guessing he’d train you so hard you’d be crawling away.
Comment by Kelly R — August 17, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Sandie sounds like a wonderful trainer! Congrats on the 17 pound lost!
Comment by Susan — August 17, 2006 @ 11:50 am
wtg janelle.
Comment by kim H — August 17, 2006 @ 11:52 am
35 pound loss here since last RWA and still working on it - and if I can do it, anyone can, Janelle. Keep at it. All I’ve done differently is walk (and stare at a really fugly photo of me in Reno that keeps me motivated - lol).
Congrats on your current success, and stick to your goal.
best…
Comment by Sunny Lyn — August 17, 2006 @ 1:17 pm
I used to think those stories about people who lose 100 pounds were bunk or surgically “enhanced” but I’m pretty close to someone who was once terribly overweight, and in less than a year lost 92 pounds. He’s still got a few dozen more pounds to go, but when you see it in person, it’s still one of those “Wow” moments…
As to dog “walking”, I’ve done my share. I have come to perfect the “biking” of the dog, and the “skating” of the dog, but walking? I can’t walk that fast.
Comment by Walt — August 17, 2006 @ 1:34 pm
Congrats on your weight loss Janelle, and Sandie is adorable. I think she is a great motivator, I hate excercise, and know I should, but never seem to get motivated t, but I know you will be successful toward your goal…… keep at it………..
Comment by Cryna — August 17, 2006 @ 2:22 pm
What a cute dog! Congrats on the weight loss.
Comment by Estella Kissell — August 17, 2006 @ 2:26 pm
Congratulations Janelle.
Great job! I do my walks early in the morning before it get to warm & I love it. :love2: There are a couple of couples that I animal/house sit for when they travel so I walk the dog & those dogs make the walk more interesting!! 
(Each couple has 1 dog so I am only walking 1 dog!) They get so excited when they see me go to get the leash & jump around & generally do a doggie happy dance! 
Keep up the good work & it will pay off in many ways. :thumbsup2: Oh yea, I would love to borrow Jared–he is very yummy!! 
By the way, a couple of years ago I had trouble with bursitis because I wasn’t stretching before & after my walks so you might want to check with your doctor on that. I am faithful with my stretching now & don’t have any more problems with the bursitis. Just normal “older” age related aches!!
Comment by Donna M — August 17, 2006 @ 2:58 pm
Oh, and speaking of dogs, Alison has a dog post today you might want to check out. I didn’t want to mention anything until after the surgery was over…
Comment by Walt — August 17, 2006 @ 6:38 pm
Awww, Walt, what a tough thing to deal with! Our pets are just like our kids and it’s so hard to see them suffer at all. Here’s hoping that Smith recovers without any problems and keeps up that “puppy” attitude!
Comment by Janelle — August 17, 2006 @ 10:12 pm
I haven’t excercised in a long time. I’ve started to lose weight, about 30 so far with only cutting back on food. But I think I am going to have to start adding exercise, I did bike like 8 miles today on Mackinac Island. Talk about being worn out..lol.
Comment by Jessica M. — August 17, 2006 @ 11:16 pm
Keep up the good work! Sandie is so cute.
Hugs, Elisa
Comment by Elisa Varey — August 17, 2006 @ 11:49 pm
I would use Jared for training(among other things..LOL) AFTER I had already trained for about a year and a half. There is no way I am going to be out of shape around him!!!
Comment by Kathleen — August 18, 2006 @ 1:58 pm