Do Your Walking Programs Work If I Go Slower?

by Susan
(Florida)

I love your page and love your workouts. I want to start your Level 2 Program.

I can walk the 60 minutes a day but have to go slower - I can only do 2 to 2 1/2 miles an hour. . Because of allergies I use an inside treadmill but I think your program would still work for me. Do you feel it would? Is there anything you would do differently in the program if it is on a treadmill and do you feel this is the program level that is best for me to start on."

Susan

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Thanks and Yes - There's More!
by: Susan

Hi Yoko & Geoff

I do have videos I use when I walk on the treadmill.

I have the whole Grand Canyon trails from south rim to north rim (over 10 hours ) in real time. Also a lot of other virtual videos of other various trails.

One thing I used to do and will start again. I take the national trails - the Appalachian Trail, Florida Trail, etc and find maps for them with the milages marked or I find mileage from city to city or state to state - depending on the trail. I go have it blown up at a print shop. Then I mark off the miles as I go. At the end I go out and buy myself something I really want that I would never normally spend the money on - just for me. :)
I am retired now and 65 - border line diabetic, high blood pressure - mildly arthritic and had lower back surgery several years ago. When my kids were growing up I walked all the time at least 5 to 6 miles a day. Over the years I got away from it and you can tell it affected my health.

All my problems have been taken care of and controlled now my kids are gone. I am not working anymore and my doctor told me to go walk, etc. I recently started on the treadmill again. I can do the inside walking but outside for some reason it affects my lower back - the treadmill does not. One of the reasons I went to the treadmill was for that.

Because I have such allergies to outdoor things I wanted something I could do all the time and not have to worry about what pollen is out and what season it is. I can do the walking for a long time on the treadmill but I can’t make it over 2.5 miles an hour. I am not sure if that slow a speed will actually do anything for me long time .

I have had several foot surgeries and really did enjoy reading your shoe site. I wear custom made inserts and as long as I get the right shoes I am fine. Your site did give me lots of help in deciding just that. I have noticed with my feet that I have to take the liners out to put my inserts in.

I am babbling - sorry. Just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your website and how I am going to try and do the programs. Not sure if I get my speed up but then when I first started I couldn't do but 15 minutes either without huffing and puffing so who knows.

Again -thank you so much for your response and I will let you know how it goes.
I am going to start the Program Two Level tonight.

Hugs

Susan

PS: I live in Florida and it is in the mid 70's today - this is a cold front for us.
Wish I could bottle it and send you lots of warmth and sunshine.

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Thank You Susan!
by: Yoko & Geoff

Hi Susan

Thank you so much for contacting us with your questions.

Yes you should have no problem doing your workout on a treadmill.

You say you can comfortably do 60 minutes of walking a day and that is just great. It is also very wise to go at the pace that works best for you as you are doing. Going slow is always a good thing - especially as we get on in years.

We would only caution you as we do several places on our website to always consult with you health professional if you have any doubts at all.

Have you had a chance to read our Choosing The Best Walking Shoes page? There are some good tips there that may be helpful to you in terms of wearing the right shoe for the job.

If you haven't discovered it already, you may find a few tips for you with respect to Walking on Tread Mills? Do you have a view of the outdoors while you are on your treadmill? If not, one trick some folks do nowadays is to place it in front of a large TV and play videos of walking along various outdoor trails. Adds a bit of enjoyment and still respects your allergy issues. There is a link to just one example on the Treadmill page.

Great good luck with your training Susan. If we can help in any way along you path to better fitness, please do get in touch.

All the best.

Yoko & Geoff

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