Q&A With Peggy Frezon for FitDog Friday!

Today, we welcome Peggy Frezon, of Peggy's Pet Place, and author of Dieting with My Dog, and Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw. I read both books and they're pawesome! Peggy's a fantastic writer, and I can't wait to get my paws on her new book: The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss & Maintenance.

Pooch Smooches is excited to be part of Peggy's blog tour, spreading the word about the book and about doggy (and human) fitness! Today we've asked Peggy to join us here for a little Q&A about the book.

 

Q1. After you dieted/lost weight with Kelly over the course of writing your first book, did you find it hard to keep the weight off? Did Kelly?

A. Helping Kelly keep the weight off was easy because I'd learned to feed her better quality food and the proper amount. Unfortunately, for people it is not so easy as to scoop 1/2 cup of the same thing in a bowl twice a day and that's it. Sometimes I was tempted to slip back into old habits or to indulge in favorite foods.

Q2. I bet writing this new guide was great motivation to keep being healthy with Kelly. What was your favorite new tidbit (an exercise, a recipe, a great workout tip?) that you learned while writing this book?

A. I learned that there is more than one way to exercise with your dog! So many people hike and bike and swim with their dogs, and they all shared their experiences in the book. It helps to see that you don't have to just run or go to the gym if that's not your thing. There are many ways to keep active, and more often than not you can do them with your dog. There is even a gym that welcomes dogs to join with you!

Q3. What new advice do you share in The Dieting with my Dog Guide that wasn't included in your memoir (Dieting with my Dog)? 

A. I included a chapter about maintaining weight loss. This is often ignored in other diet books. I think this is so important, because it's so easy to put all the weight back on again. I share tips and motivation to help you keep the pounds off--for both you and your dog.

Q4. Fall is upon us (my favorite season!), but that means winter is not far off. For folks who live in cold climates, what's a good way to keep your pup in shape during the winter? Does the book have tips for indoor fitness ideas for when the weather is too harsh outside?

A. One of my favorite parts of the book are the Woof Workouts, a series of exercises you can do with your dog, with step by step instructions and photographs by fitness trainer Diana Ozimek and her dogs. But you don't have to stay inside in the colder weather! One hiker who lives in Vermont describes her adventures hiking, even in the winter...and another contributor writes about snowshoeing with her dogs.

Q5. If Kelly reviewed the book, what would she write?

A. "I used to be a pudgy puppy, but now I'm in good shape. I started eating healthy and got off my paws and ran around more, all with my bff. If you're like me and want to be fit and healthy, this book is for you. Oh, and you can share it with your mom and dad too."

Thanks so much to Peggy for stopping by Pooch Smooches! 

If you and your pup need to lose a few "L.B.'s" pick up Peggy's book! What could be more fun than working out with your pup?! Beats lifting weights next to the big stinky guy at the gym any day of the week! :)

Thanks to SlimDoggy for hosting the FitDog Friday hop!