STARTING A WALKING PROGRAM

From Staff Writer

It is important to design a program that will work for you. In planning your walking program, keep the following points in mind:

Choose a safe place to walk. Find a partner or group of people to walk with you. Your walking partner (s) should be able to walk with you on the same schedule and at the same speed.

Wear shoes with thick flexible soles that will cushion your feet and absorb shock.

Wear clothes that are right for the season. Cotton clothes for the summer help to keep you cool by absorbing sweat and allowing it to evaporate. Layer your clothing in the winter, and as you warm up, you can take off some layers.

Stretch before you walk.. See the warm up exercises here.

Think of your walk in three parts. Walk slowly for 5 minutes. Increase your speed for the next 5 minutes. Finally, to cool down, walk slowly again for 5 minutes.

Try to walk at least three times per week. Add 2 to 3 minutes per week to the fast walk. If you walk less than three time per week, increase the fast walk more slowly.

To avoid stiff or sore muscles or joints, start gradually. Over several week, begin walking faster, going further, and walking for longer periods of time.

The more you walk, the better you will feel. You also use more calories.