While anyone who is starting or changing an exercise program is advised to discuss physical fitness goals and safety with a doctor, this is particularly important if you have a health condition, such as heart disease. For people with heart disease, a cardiac rehabilitation program at a hospital is a good place to work closely with health professionals to set realistic walking goals to improve fitness.
The initial questions you have to ask yourself are: 1. What is my primary goal, weight loss, improved cardiovascular endurance, general conditioning, or all of the above? 2. What is my current fitness level, do you exercise 0 times per week, 1-2, 3-4, or 5+? 3. How much time to you have to devote to exercise, 15-20 minute spurts, 30-45 minutes, 60+ minutes? After answering those questions you can then set a realistic goal.
To give an example, if you exercise 3-4 times per week and are able to devote 30-45 minutes of walking then you can feasibly push to complete 2-3 miles of which should allow time for a pre/post stretch. All of this would be completed at a comfortable pace of walking a mile in 15:00 minutes or less. Be sure to answer the initial questions and proceed from there. Lastly, another way to figure out how to set a realistic goal would be to purchase a pedometer and go out for a walk, 2,000 steps is approximately 1-mile.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.