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Hinsdale resident loses weight the K9 way
Tricia Montgomery works out at one of the stations set up for individual warm ups. Tricia Montgomery founded a K-9 Fitness Club after losing more than 130 pounds in the program. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 28, 2013 6:03AM
HINSDALE — The numbers point to the need for Tricia Montgomery’s business: 78.2 million dogs, 53 percent of which are overweight, in a nation in which more than 100 million of whom are dangerously overweight.
Getting people and their pets in shape is the reason for the Hinsdale resident’s K9 Fit Club. Montgomery knows of what she speaks. Once 265 pounds, Montgomery found her weight-loss answer through nutrition, exercise, dogs and fun. She now weights 130 pounds.
Q. How long have you lived in Hinsdale?
A. Since 1992.
Q. Why did you pick this town?
A. We were looking for a place with good schools and a good location. I was working in the city at the time and the distance was right.
Q. Where are you originally from?
A. Cairo, Ill.
Q. Family?
A. I have a daughter, Gabrielle, who is a Hinsdale Central senior. She’s adopted from China. I’m divorced.
Q. What is your favorite community event?
A. Uniquely Thursdays. You have individuals who come with their dogs to the park.
Q. What is your favorite restaurant in town?
A. Nabuki. It has great sushi, tuna tartare and mini tacos.
Q. What has changed in Hinsdale since you moved here?
A. Storefronts have changed. I’ve seen businesses change. There are now strong community events through the Chamber of Commerce. There are a lot of merchant things going on.
Q. What inspired you to start the K9 Fit Club program?
A. I saw that we have to change our behavior and that dogs should not be victims too. Our bad habits rub off on our handling of pets. We feed them out of love. If I was going to save myself, I needed a program that I could do with my dog.
Q. What makes your program different?
A. We’re about fun in everything we do … We don’t use the word ‘diet.’ ‘Diet’ is associated with failure. We talk about how to be healthy in positive ways.
Q. Why is keeping your pet healthy so important?
A. Five extra pounds on a 12-pound dog is like an extra 35 to 50 pounds on a person.
Q. What are your proudest moments?
A. Right here (K9 Fit Club), right now. And my daughter. That is my story. With K9 Fit Club, we are providing fun and fitness for the community. We are working for them. It is not a selfish motivation.
Q. What are you reading?
A. Gone Girl
Q. What are your favorite movies?
A. “The Help” – “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” Also, “On Golden Pond,” “Super Troopers” and “Office Space.”
Q. What’s on your iPod?
A. Alternative rock, everything from Foster the People to Pearl Jam, some Maroon 5
Q. What’s your favorite vacation destination?
A. A vacation? What’s that? When was the last time I took a vacation?
For information on the programs offered and fees, go to k9fitclub.com or call (630) 920-1476.
