| Step for step, mile for mile, walking is the best | | | | forgotten corner of the basement, bought with |
| cardiovascular activity you can include as part of | | | | the best intention, but abandoned for a number of |
| your weight loss surgery success story. Walking is | | | | excuses. Get that old friend out and put it where |
| easy, accessible, inexpensive, individual and | | | | you'll use it. most treadmills for home use are |
| effective. It is the gold-star sport for real people | | | | rated at a 250-pound weight limit. Fresh out of |
| with real lives. Formerly stigmatized as cheap | | | | gastric bypass surgery, most of us exceed that |
| transportation and a senior citizens' sport it is now | | | | limit. Fitness equipment manufacturers say that if |
| a credible and fashionable form of exercise. And | | | | the weight limit is exceeded, but at a slow pace |
| it's been around for a long time - anthropoids | | | | for short duration, the treadmill should not be |
| stood upright and put one foot in front of the | | | | damaged. I say, take your chances and walk on |
| other thousands of years ago and we haven't | | | | the treadmill. It won't take long before you drop |
| looked back since. | | | | below the weight limit and in the meantime you |
| Now validated, as a vigorous fitness activity | | | | are becoming stronger and fitter by taking short |
| walking has become America's most popular | | | | walks on the machine. |
| physical activity with over 20-million people | | | | If your climate and neighborhood are equitable |
| stepping out regularly. Studies abound touting the | | | | plan a walking route out-of-doors. Prior to surgery |
| benefits of walking: including weight loss, lowered | | | | measure your route by the quarter mile. One |
| risk of stroke or heart disease and improved | | | | determined patient I know walked one driveway |
| mental well-being. While it may sound trite, | | | | further each day until she made it all the way |
| 30-minutes of walking a day will keep the doctor | | | | around the block. Counting driveways is how she |
| away. | | | | marked her progress. Good for her! |
| Be sure to record your walking activity beginning | | | | Do you prefer to walk in the climate-controlled |
| on the very first day. Find a notebook, a journal, | | | | mall? Plan a walking route there - just be sure to |
| or a computer program where you can record | | | | swiftly step past the bakery and candy store. |
| your time and distance each day. This may sound | | | | Many malls have early hours when people can |
| silly the first week when you are taking 5-minute | | | | gather and fitness walk without having to |
| walks, but very soon you will rejoice at your | | | | navigate around shoppers. |
| progress if you have a record of where you | | | | For best success sip water throughout your walk. |
| began. | | | | Wear comfortable clothing for easy movement. |
| To achieve maximum benefit from this walking | | | | Avoid exercising in extreme weather - too hot or |
| program, you will need a good pair of soft athletic | | | | very cold. |
| walking shoes, preferably with ankle support. I | | | | Now equipped with great shoes, comfortable |
| suggest you get these prior to surgery so you | | | | clothes, a walking route and a journal to record |
| don't have the "no shoes" excuse to put-off your | | | | your progress you are ready to take your first |
| walking program. Give them to yourself as a gift | | | | step! Here is my plan to walk your way into a |
| acknowledging your bravery and courage to | | | | healthier life. |
| make this positive change in your life. | | | | Copyright © 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights |
| Next, plan where you will walk. Raise your hand if | | | | Reserved. |
| you already own a treadmill! Mine was stored in a | | | | |