Walk - Starting

Now you have decided that it may be a good idea to start walking. Heres how you start.

Clothes

Put on the appropriate clothes depending on the season. Make sure they are comfortable and loose. It is better to choose special clothes that do not hold sweat. Most modern sports tops will allow you to keep relatively dry even when sweating or at least not have that cold sensation you would have with cotton clothes.

Shoes & Socks

Shoes and socks are the next most important thing. Buy a good pair of shoes. They do not have to be expensive but ask a specialist. There are many shops where you will be well advised. If you feel the sales person knows what they are talking about then you are in the right place. I tend to buy a few pairs at a time as I go through them quickly. There are times of the year when you can get real bargains. The end of summer is one time. Socks should also be comfortable. Don't just use any old pair. Get advise. I like X-Socks (http://www.x-socks.com) and they are guaranteed two years. I have had good experience with them and when I had a problem they were immediately replaced a year later.

Other things

• Water bottle
• Small healthy snack
• Small face towel
• Whistle
• Lamp
• Luminous jacket
• Whatever else you may deem necessary

NOW hey you, GET out that door and start walking.

1st Walk

Walk a distance of say 1 km at a pace were you can talk. Don't go too fast. Pick a route that would be interesting from you point of view. Always let somebody know what you route is just in case something happened to you.

Precautions to take

If you walk on the road make sure to walk against the traffic. That way you can see what is happening and always make sure to wear clothes that make you highly visible even during the day. It is preferable that you take walk ways which do not have traffic.

Make sure you know where you are going and roughly how long it should take you. If you know the area it is always better especially when you are beginning.