Question:
NEED ADVICE: CAN'T SEEM TO PROGRESS MY WALKING DISTANCE OVER 1 MILE
My doc requires that I be walking 2 miles (once a day) or he won't do surgery. I'm up to a mile, but I'm absolutely pooped after that and my feet and shins go numb. I've been walking on flat ground or a motorized treadmill. Anyone have and advice for me? — Nancy H. (posted on October 31, 2002)
October 31, 2002
Try walking faster to build up more muscle stamina. After a while doing
this, You might then be able to walk farther with less speed. Just a
thought.
— Jenni K.
October 31, 2002
Go to www.lesliesansone.com and get her Walk Away the Pounds tapes. I
started using them and can do 3 miles now without any problem. They also
have them on QVC. They have 1 mile walk in 15 minutes, 2 miles in 30
minutes and 3 miles in 45 minutes. She is great to walk with. You put the
tape in your VCR and walk in place, do side steps, kick, and backwards leg
lifts, etc. It is fun and easy to stay with. I am obsessed with these
tapes and recently bought the walk a way belt, yoga walk, stress walk,
strong walk, shortcuts for lower body, upper body and abs. They are
absolutely the best I have ever tried and I enjoy them. In order to
increase your stamina, try this: Just start out walking and don't let your
thoughts think of it as drudgery. In fact, don't think of it at all. Just
set a goal and keep at it until you reach 2 miles. Our mental thoughts can
sabotage our best efforts. In other words, it is 99% mental! If you have
pain when you walk as I used to, take short breaks where you sit down and
rest as you walk and then go again. I know when I weighed 110 lbs more
than I do now, my hips would spasm and back would hurt when I walked. Make
sure you have good walking shoes too. Another trick is to listen to a
Walkman when you walk. Some people listen to the books on tape and don't
want to quit walking because the story is so interesting! Your desire to
increase your walking is the single most important thing to inspire you.
That is 1/2 of the battle!
Good luck to you!
— Mylou52
October 31, 2002
What does he do, take you out to a track and watch you walk two miles?
— Cindy R.
October 31, 2002
You never said how fast you walk, remember you don't have to walk really
fast,just as long as you keep moving!! get a radio with a head set and just
start out walking at a slow pace and enjoy yourself, treadmills can be very
boring,if I had to use them I don't think I would be walking at all. I like
to walk outside and see the world,, just remember to relax and take it
easy,you will be up to 2 miles and more before you know it, keep us posted
on how your coming along!!! Good Luck!!!
— bikerchic
October 31, 2002
I am constantly amazed when I read about this or that doctor's
requirements. Frankly, I'd either end up lying to this doc (gonna get
blasted for that one I think) or find a different doctor. Since I don't
advocate lying to a doctor, I think I'd find a different one. Quite
frankly, If I could have walked two miles every day before my surgery,
doubtful I would ever have even gotten the surgery!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 31, 2002
There is no way anyone with your bmi can do 2 miles. I am even amazed that
you can do 1 mile. My bmi was 49 and I couldn't do a mile preop. Either
there is a misunderstanding or you need a more realistic surgeon. Please
contact him and let him know what you can do and cannot do.
— faybay
November 1, 2002
If I were you I would lie, normally I do not lie for any reason, but his
expectations are a bit too high in my opinion. If you know in your heart
and soul that you are giving 100% effort in walking then tell him you are
doing what he asked and leave it at that. I wouldn't risk having surgery
postponed or canceled because of his "2 mile walking requirement"
Best of Luck!
— Tinca-Thais J.
November 1, 2002
Thanks for everyone's help. I've heard that I can't lie, because they put
you on one of those Tanita scales that measures your lean body weight and
supposedly, he can tell if you haven't walked. Anyway, I'm going to order
those Leslie Sansone tapes and give those a try.
— Nancy H.
November 1, 2002
Thanks for everyone's help. I've heard that I can't lie, because they put
you on one of those Tanita scales that measures your lean body weight and
supposedly, he can tell if you haven't walked. Anyway, I'm going to order
those Leslie Sansone tapes and give those a try.
— Nancy H.
November 1, 2002
Thanks for everyone's help. I've heard that I can't lie, because they put
you on one of those Tanita scales that measures your lean body weight and
supposedly, he can tell if you haven't walked. Anyway, I'm going to order
those Leslie Sansone tapes and give those a try.
— Nancy H.
November 1, 2002
I think that this is one of the more ridiculous requirements that I have
read about. I've lost 100 pounds since my RNY on 7/17 and I'm only doing
a mile at this point. I've had to rest this week because my arthritic
right knee was acting up because I was overdoing it.
<p>
I would try to do the best that I can. Document the amount of walking
that you are doing and maybe if he sees that you are committed to walking a
mile *everyday*, he'll let you slide on the 2 mile requirement. If not,
then you will have to look for a more reasonable surgeon...JR
— John Rushton
November 3, 2002
I don't think there's any machine in your doctor's office that can tell
him/her how far you're walking every day. Unless he's going to come to
your house and watch you, I'm with Ruth: Tell him you are walking 2 miles
a day. As a condition for surgery,this is ludicrous. One of the reasons
you want surgery is so you can exercise more later. Do you have a
requirement that your surgeon not drink alcohol the night before your
surgery, that he get 8 hours of sleep and not have a fight with his wife?
This is far more reasonable than his request. Either lie or find another
surgeon.
— Arlene S.
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