Tips to Incrementally Increase Your Walking
If your healthcare provider approves, gradually increase your walking time. Every step means more calories burned!
Start slowly and work up to your goal
You could try adding 5 to 10 minutes of walking to your day each week until you reach your ultimate goal. It is recommended that adults walk 30 to 60 minutes per day.
You may want to try some of the following to motivate yourself to add to your walking:
- Set a goal number of steps for a week, and upon achievement of your target, reward yourself with a new book, good nap in the hammock, or something else you enjoy
- If you listen to music while you walk, put your favorite few songs at the end of your tape or playlist. It’ll be easier to keep going!
- Bring along a companion. As you walk and talk about latest movies, favorite books, or plot strategies to win a lottery, you may not even notice how your physical activity adds up!
Make goals manageable
As you add time, stop when you feel tired. You may feel fine when going from 15 to 20 minutes, but tired when you go to 25 minutes. If this happens, back up to the 20-minute comfort level, and stay there until you are ready to move ahead. Some people stay at one level for weeks, while others progress more rapidly. Be sure to tailor these guidelines to your needs and consult with your healthcare provider.