| If you have COPD, you most likely know that it | | | | shoes will cause blistering. Buy some lightweight, |
| stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. | | | | breathable walking clothing and hit the pavement, |
| You know that your airways have become | | | | literally, not figuratively. |
| blocked or narrowed, causing a slow, progressive | | | | As you walk, maintain proper posture, remaining |
| denial of air to the lungs. Less air intake means | | | | upright, rolling off the heel. Don't lean forward or |
| less oxygen for the muscles, making even the | | | | arch backward. Walking with incorrect posture will |
| most simple tasks difficult. | | | | injure your back. Your strides should be easy and |
| Given that people with COPD have difficulty | | | | slow initially. After you warm up, increase the |
| breathing, it seems almost cruel to suggest | | | | length and speed of your steps. |
| exercise. It seems counter-productive. However, | | | | Inhale through the nose and exhale slowly through |
| because the respiratory system is under attack, | | | | the mouth, with your lips lightly pursed. Your |
| it's even more important for it to be functioning | | | | exhale should last twice as long as your inhale. |
| as well as possible. The muscles must be | | | | Count your paces, breathing in for 2 steps and |
| exercised regularly, lest they atrophy and lose | | | | breathing out for 4. If you get winded or tired, |
| their strength. Then the body would be not only | | | | slow down. If that doesn't help, pause for a few |
| air-deprived, but physically weak too. Muscles need | | | | moments to catch your breath. Monitor your |
| oxygen to grow, remain healthy and function | | | | heart rate and oxygen level and don't overdo it. |
| efficiently. | | | | Start with short walks and build up. This will |
| Few would argue that walking is the best exercise | | | | strengthen and bolster your cardiopulmonary |
| for the whole body, even if the body has COPD. | | | | system. |
| That requires a little planning and a lot of being | | | | There are cardiopulmonary strengthening |
| careful. Before you begin a walking program, ask | | | | programs that combine resistance training and |
| your doctor if it is advisable. Ask for | | | | aerobic exercise with wellness techniques like |
| recommendations and whether you need to | | | | breathing retraining, smoking cessation, weight |
| adjust your oxygen use. Learn to use a pulse | | | | control, and stress management. This |
| oximeter, which measures your oxygen levels | | | | cross-training approach proves to strengthen the |
| non-invasively with a disposable strip. | | | | cardiopulmonary system through a nexus of the |
| Buy a nice pair of comfortable walking shoes. | | | | various treatments. |
| There are many models designed specifically for | | | | Try to walk daily. When the weather doesn't |
| walking, to maximize the benefit and minimize the | | | | cooperate, take your workout indoors. Shopping |
| effort. Get the right size shoes. Too-tight shoes | | | | malls and recreation centers have walking clubs. |
| will restrict blood flow to the feet. Too-loose | | | | Make some friends and walk together. |