If you have any difficulty in achieving either the distance or the time prescribed, you should return to the previous stage for two days and then try again to advance to the next stage.
Preparation for walking:
- Do not attempt to walk when you are feeling tired, when the weather is freezing cold or very windy and within one hour of a bath or shower
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear
- Walk in daylight
- Walk on level ground (as far as this is possible)
- Wear a watch
- Take your GTN with you
- In cold weather dress up warmly and wear a scarf loosely over your mouth and nose. Do not get up from your chair by the fire and go straight outside. Instead do some warming up exercises before you head out
- After your walk take a rest
- If you experience any of the following symptoms with exercise you should reduce your walking distance for a few days
- Chest pain
- Excessive breathlessness, which persists for more than 10 minutes after exercise
- Dizziness or faintness
- Nausea or vomiting after exercise
- Prolonged tiredness, lasting for more than 24 hours after exercise
- If you always experience chest pain while walking, you may find it helpful to use your GTN before you set out. Repeat as required for further pain. As you become fitter you should require less GTN
