How much distance to add to reach goal?

[patricia92243]

I am walking 2 miles daily now. My goal is 5 miles daily. How much distance and how often should I add to my walks to help me reach my goal?

I want to join a hiking club, and this is their suggestion as a minimum of what a person needs to be able to do (5 miles.)

I am 66, and about 30 pounds overweight.

[SKKY]

1. First, do you have a good pair of shoes?? Are they good for your body type and gait?

If not, I would go to a specialty store and get fit.

Ok, the general consensus is that you can increase your mileage by 10% per week. Now, there are some other factors that go into this, but as a beginner, you can use 10% as your guide. More advanced runners/hikers who have developed a solid base could probably increase more quickly, but in your case I would stick to the 10% rule.

Once you hike regularly, and the weight starts to come off, you'll find that you are able to do more with less effort, but I recommend sticking with the 10% rule. It will help you prevent injury.

[patricia92243]

2. Thank you so much for the information. I have a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots. They have three

different names on them, so I don't know which one is the brand: Gore-Tex, Merrell, Vibrom. I wear wool socks, so my feet don't burn.

I use the Google pedometer to measure my walks, so it will be easy to add 10% per week.

I am glad you suggested the 10%. I would have overdone it - and therefore failed!

I have walked with my 81 year old uncle for the last three years. He has Alzheimer's and has gotten where he can only go about 1/2 mile. I will still do what little bit of walking I do with him, but am "interviewing" with a new walking partner on Thursday.

Again, thanks for the help.