Fast Walking Rules
Please note that this and all other articles are written by me, as a person with Parkinson’s disease (Pd). I understand what having Pd is like and what we can and can’t do. I am not a trained Physical Exercise person, nor am I a medically trained person, and the way I describe things is maybe not the same way they would, but you, as Parkinson’s patients, will understand what I am saying.
*When I say his, him or he I mean both sexes.
*************
- Unless you are currently very fit, you are strongly advised to start FAST WALKING for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the maximum time should be no more than 20 minutes!
- Walk every second day for the first 2 weeks, - Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday each week. You could walk every second day, which means you can walk 7 times in 2 weeks!
- After each 2nd week, add a further maximum 5 MINUTES onto the walking time. So the 2nd 2 weeks you will walk for 15 minutes. Then the 3rd 2 weeks you will walk 20 minutes. Etc.
- Never walk longer than these times as stipulated!
- Never walk every day!
- If you feel that you cannot start at 10 minutes then start at the time you are able to achieve at the beginning and add as much time as you are able every second week, BUT NEVER MORE THAN 5 MINUTES!
- When you reach one hour, you stop increasing the time and walk for no more than 1 hour. You should always try to walk as FAST AS YOU CAN!
- ENJOY YOUR WALKING!
How do you know if you are walking at maximum speed?
If you can speak more than two words you are not walking at YOUR MAXIMUM SPEED!
If you cannot speak at all you are walking too fast.
You should just be able to speak a maximum of 3 words between breaths.