How to Walk Long Distance

Visit the doctor and get examined. Don't start any physical activity without medical screening if you haven't worked out in a long time.

Purchase shoes designed for walkers, then buy thick athletic insoles. You don't want pavement shock to shoot up to your shins and legs. Make sure you have workout cloths that let your body breath. Wear shorts during the summer. Avoid wearing black or dark-colored materials during the summer as they quickly absorb heat. Use reflective colors and materials; you can never have too much reflector material. Bright florescent materials are ideal.

Walk around your neighborhood; be an explorer. Observe different homes and lawns. People like to "brag" in different ways; this makes walking more enjoyable. Constantly scan your neighborhood for homes or lawns that look interesting. Make your way to one that begs for attention. Halloween and Christmas offer interesting night-walking routes, especially when neighbors compete or work together.

Expand your exploration when you get used to walking around your neighborhood. See how far you can walk in half an hour. Work your way to a shopping area if you live near one. Your ultimate goal is to be able to reach this area on foot instead of by car for light shopping. This exercise gives you the opportunity to walk to the shopping area, to walk around, then to walk home.

Push to the next shopping area once you get used to walking to the nearest one. Do this only if the next shopping center is walking distance from the first one. Walk past every establishment in this shopping center. Continue expanding your range to every shopping center that's within walking range from your home.

Continue expanding until you've reached your desired daily walking range.