About P.A.D.: Walking and P.A.D.: Tips
Tips:
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Walking Program
- Wear shoes that feel good on your feet and are not too tight or too loose. The shoes should be sturdy, not worn out, and have thick and soft soles to cushion your feet and absorb shock. Always wear socks or stockings to prevent blisters. This is very important if you have diabetes.
- Examine your feet daily, especially if you have diabetes. You may have cuts, sores, blisters, or splinters that you may not feel. Call your health care team if you find a cut or sore that does not heal. Untreated, these problems can cause severe infections and lead to losing a foot or a leg.
- Find a friend to walk with you and help you enjoy your walking sessions. Your friend should be able to walk on the same schedule and at the same speed.
- Have fun while you walk. You can listen to music. Take a walk in the park. Walk in the mall and window shop. Or find a community center that has a treadmill and try it out. Vary your walking program so you don’t get bored.
- Treat yourself to buying a cane that has a seat so you can have a place to sit and rest.
- Wear a watch when you walk so you can see how long you can go before you feel pain in your legs. For your next birthday, ask for a stop watch so you can track the minutes you walk.
- Track your progress by writing down the number of minutes and the total distance you walk during each session, and how long you have walked before you feel leg pain. Make a simple chart and post it in your kitchen or bedroom so you can see how much progress you have made.
- Reward yourself for meeting your walking goals. Buy a new hat or a pair of socks or go to a movie.
