Healthy Life Journey
Walking Program
My local support group is starting a walking program on May 1st. It will last through Aug. 21st. We will be keeping a log of the distance walked each day (either the number of steps using a pedometer OR the number of blocks). If you want to participate, just send me your information each week. We will be calculating the % improvement (not the total distance) for each person based on their first week's average distance. That way it will be fair for everyone. Also, the system will tend to reward consistancy (walking 5 or more days a week vs. only 2 or 3).
At the end of the summer, we are going to compare our group's average distance improvement with another town's group. We will have a traveling trophy that will stay with that group until the next summer, when it will go to the winning group. We will each be buying a T-shirt, which you could get, but it would cost you more, since you would not be able to order in bulk like us. It will say:
What Do YOU Have To Loose?
Step Out In Health.
Then there are footprints going around to the back of the shirt. I think it would cost about $24 for an individual shirt, but it may be less since we are buying in bulk and there is a way for you to order the same shirt one on-line. I'll have to check that out if anyone is interested
Our group had a Physical Therapist come speak for our last meeting. He showed us some stretches for the legs and back. I'm not sure how to show you that using this format, so I would suggest you seek out an exercise professional yourself. Let them know about your surgery, health problems, and what you have in mind. Make sure you have checked with your doctor to see if you are healthy enough to start a walking program. The exercise professional can help you with some appropriate stretches and show you the proper technique.
Remember to start very slowly, esp. if you are not used to walking. If you can only walk around the house to begin with, that is fine. If you can only go a block or two, that's fine. If you can go several blocks, that's good too. Just remember that if you push yourself too hard when you start, you will probably get sore and then either have to wait to heal or end up giving up all together. If you have not walked for a while, but are in pretty good condition, you'll be tempted to over do it. You will feel good the first day or two, but then you'll be very sore for a few days. Try not to fall into this trap.
Each week, try to increase your distance a little, or the number of days you walk. Increase gradually. It may not seem like much, but over the 4 months, it will add up and you'll feel good about your progress.
Walking is good for your cardiovascular health, your mood, and improves your metabolism. It can help you feel less sluggish and in general, your body will feel better.
Just another note of caution. If you walk and have pain in you legs, then rest for a SHORT while and it goes away, and this happens on a regular basis, please see your doctor. It may indicate a blood flow problem in your legs. Walking is actually a good way to improve that situation, but you'll probably want to be under the supervision of a P.T., Exercise Physiologist, etc.
Of course I can't give you all the advice you might need. So many of us have a lot of health problems to begin with. Please start out by seeing your local family physician and go from there. If you have any problemls or questions, please ask your doctor.
I hope you join us on our walking adventure (even if you don't send in your statistics). I'd like to know how your doing, and remember to find something you enjoy doing this summer to increase your activity level. You'll feel the benefits from all your hard work.
Have a GREAT Summer.
At the end of the summer, we are going to compare our group's average distance improvement with another town's group. We will have a traveling trophy that will stay with that group until the next summer, when it will go to the winning group. We will each be buying a T-shirt, which you could get, but it would cost you more, since you would not be able to order in bulk like us. It will say:
What Do YOU Have To Loose?
Step Out In Health.
Then there are footprints going around to the back of the shirt. I think it would cost about $24 for an individual shirt, but it may be less since we are buying in bulk and there is a way for you to order the same shirt one on-line. I'll have to check that out if anyone is interested
Our group had a Physical Therapist come speak for our last meeting. He showed us some stretches for the legs and back. I'm not sure how to show you that using this format, so I would suggest you seek out an exercise professional yourself. Let them know about your surgery, health problems, and what you have in mind. Make sure you have checked with your doctor to see if you are healthy enough to start a walking program. The exercise professional can help you with some appropriate stretches and show you the proper technique.
Remember to start very slowly, esp. if you are not used to walking. If you can only walk around the house to begin with, that is fine. If you can only go a block or two, that's fine. If you can go several blocks, that's good too. Just remember that if you push yourself too hard when you start, you will probably get sore and then either have to wait to heal or end up giving up all together. If you have not walked for a while, but are in pretty good condition, you'll be tempted to over do it. You will feel good the first day or two, but then you'll be very sore for a few days. Try not to fall into this trap.
Each week, try to increase your distance a little, or the number of days you walk. Increase gradually. It may not seem like much, but over the 4 months, it will add up and you'll feel good about your progress.
Walking is good for your cardiovascular health, your mood, and improves your metabolism. It can help you feel less sluggish and in general, your body will feel better.
Just another note of caution. If you walk and have pain in you legs, then rest for a SHORT while and it goes away, and this happens on a regular basis, please see your doctor. It may indicate a blood flow problem in your legs. Walking is actually a good way to improve that situation, but you'll probably want to be under the supervision of a P.T., Exercise Physiologist, etc.
Of course I can't give you all the advice you might need. So many of us have a lot of health problems to begin with. Please start out by seeing your local family physician and go from there. If you have any problemls or questions, please ask your doctor.
I hope you join us on our walking adventure (even if you don't send in your statistics). I'd like to know how your doing, and remember to find something you enjoy doing this summer to increase your activity level. You'll feel the benefits from all your hard work.
Have a GREAT Summer.
