Well, maybe not an actual miracle - but here are 5 WAYS THAT WE USE A WATER BOTTLE TO IMPROVE OUR WALKS. And Im not even talking about a full-sized spay water bottle (although that can certainly work too)! Im talking about a little teenie-tiny travel sized spray bottle - usually used for hair spray. Since I have 3 dogs I try to do everything I can to keep my hands free - to do whatever needs to be done. In addition to all the harnesses, leads, collars and belts we also need to carry lots of provisions in/on my waist pack belt: 2 bottles of drinking water, poop bags, pepper spray, steel whistle, keys, benadryl, hat, glasses, headset and iPhone (phone, iPod, camera, pedometer). And recently weve added this little GEM - a teeny-tiny spray bottle filled with tap water. For anyone who knows anything about my triumphs and challenges it will come as no surprise that I am always looking for little life hacks - and here is one of our most recent hacks. 1) UPPER BODY WORKOUT: Yes, Im serious! When this tiny little bottle of water is filled with filtered tap water it barely weighs 3oz - but when I carry it in one of my hands while walking/running with the dogs it doesnt take long before I feel the burn. Yes, I make the funny gestures that all the other power-walking-ladies do with their arms. I switch hands frequently, but even the empty hand maintains the form of the bottle. It helps me to stay mindful of my upper body strength.. to pump my arms when walking (if possible/feasable) and to flex to engage, then release my arm and shoulder muscles. I am not a fitness trainer or anything like that... and Im not suggesting that this is any kind of real exercise - and I have no real proof that it has done anything significant to my actual arms or any other muscle(s). But what I do know is I feel like it does. Bring the mind... the body will follow. For me personally, the first and most important step to any fitness regiment is being aware and accepting of my body and setting my intention for changing, improving or strengthening it. 2) COOLING: Its hot in Las Vegas. I use the mist to spray my face when I get hot and I can mist my eyes when they feel dry or itchy. 3) DRY MOUTH/THROAT: Its REALLY hot in Las Vegas. Just a few deep inhales through the mouth can leave your mouth feeling like a clay pot in seconds! A little shot of water from the spray bottle helps to keep my mouth moistened without having to stop for a drink. Everytime we stop it is a disruption to the natural stride of the pack so we try to keep going and avoid stopping unless its one of designated stopping/resting points. 4) INVISIBLE WALL: When I feel one of the dogs trying to pull ahead of me (our goal is that their front 2 feet are inline with mine) I extend my arm straight out over his head and with the tiny water bottle I squeeze out a gentle mist of water - accompanied by a sharp CHHHHT sound. Most Shar Pei HATE WATER - and mine are definitely not fond of it when they are being sprayed or squirted. Im normally not a big fan of spraying my dogs in the face with water anymore... but I dont judge anyone who chooses to use it as a tool. We keep a water bottle by the front door and usually just the presence of the water bottle is enough to keep our dogs in line when visitors arrive. But I will say I try to NOT use the squirt bottle - because I think it made them feel like they could not come near me without being fearful or suspicious... and I definitely didnt want that. BUT! When we are on a walk I would MUCH RATHER give them a little squirt or quick mist of H20 than have to restrain or discipline them with brute force. Tis tiny water bottle is small enough that it fits in my hand so no one can really see it... and it can become like my spidey-web - shooting an invisible and weightless web in the path of a rambunctious dog! Couple with the CHHHHT sound it doesnt take long before the mere SUGGESTION of the water bottle is enough to get the result I need. 5) HYDRATION: And finally, if nothing else... its an extra 3 oz of water - that you or you dog could drink if you needed it. Or you could use it to clean out a wound or wash dirt off your hands or face in a pinch! And there you have it! Maybe not a straight-up miracle but I think we can at least say its multi-functional. Have a wonderful day! I hope you and your dog(s) have a great walk today! :-)
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 17:46:34 +0000
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