Daily walkers/runners -- can I pick your brain?

I have lost 60lbs and have convinced myself that I want to walk and eventually run. I have a Jack Russell Terrier in an apartment and it's not fair that I never go out with him. SO, for him and for ME, I want to start walking (something that I always said I hated because it was 'too boring')

So... how did you start?

This is what I have done so far or am working on:

--Set a time daily to walk - 10am
--Pulled out my walking shoes
--Will go buy fitness clothes that actually fit me today
--I have an iPod, perhaps I should buy a holder or arm band for it?
--I need to find a walking route... I feel weird just walking through neighborhoods. Maybe I can find a path nearby?

What else? How do I get in the groove? I want to plan this and increase as I go... is there a way to track it by chart? Or are there sample walking programs online for lazy people like me?

Any advice would be very appreciated.

Hi Elena

Congrats on 60 lbs lost.

I started my exercise with just a walk around the building i used to work at during lunch, then i built up my stamina to go 2 or 3 times around.  Then i started walking to lunch and back, picking places farther away.  Eventually I would walk about a mile each way.

An armband or holder for ipod is great.  I listen to music or podcasts during my runs and it really passes the time.  I use mapmyrun.com to map my runs beforehand, you can also see paths that other runners/walkers have taken and you can modify your route off that.  That should help you discover new places in your area.

There's also the couch to 5k program that some people have done or are doing now.  I think if you google that, you'll find a lot of info

Good luck with starting!

Brian
~350

Hi Elena!  I ditto everything Brian just said ... especially about the armband (a must have, and don't chintz on it, you will love it!) and mapmyrun.com ... and do not feel weird about walking/running through neighborhoods.  I prefer this because it's fun to look at houses along the way, plus there is less traffic than on the busy roads.  And I personally admire everyone I see out there walking/running!  Another thing you might want to do is look online for a 5K event in your town for sometime in the future ... it's nice to have a goal to train for!  Plus, it commits you to sticking to your program!

Good luck, you'll do great!

Deanna  :)