Who knew walking was so complicated?

Walking presents many challenges for PWP, even on an indoor track or in a shopping mall let alone out in the wild. As hard as I try to work on my gait, I often feel like I’m out of step with the world, or that I’m not marching with the band.  

While I’m fortunate to have a team of three people helping me stay in shape, each one emphasizes a different thing I need to concentrate on. One reminds me to shift my weight to the left so I’m balanced. Another wants me to also shift my weight to my heels so I don’t propel myself forward. A third says to I should keep my shoulders back and pretend I’m doing the limbo.

Some days there are so many voices in my head that I feel like Sybil. My dream is that the individual voices I hear will one day sing in harmony as a choir and I will be able to walk as seamlessly as they sing.         

How can you improve your walking?

Build up to walking two or three times per week for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Don’t just go through the motions. Concentrate on:

• Standing tall. Avoid rounding your upper back and
  shoulders and bending forward at the hips. These postural changes can cause chronic back pain and increase your risk of falling.
• Keeping your feet about 8 inches apart.

• Lifting up your toes with each step you take and placing your foot down heel first. This will promote longer strides and improved balance.
• Counting each step to develop a smoother, more rhythmic walking style.
• Swinging your arms as you walk.
• Gently stretch your leg muscles before you start walking.

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