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Walking beginner? Try this 12-week walking schedule

By Mayo Clinic staff

Are you looking to ease into getting in shape? This 12-week walking schedule from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute can start you on the path to better fitness and health.*

Try to walk at least three times each week and continue working your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of walking several days a week.

WeekWalking schedule** (brisk walking time, 3 days per week)Weekly total
1 5 minutes 15 minutes
2 7 minutes 21 minutes
3 9 minutes 27 minutes
4 11 minutes 33 minutes
5 13 minutes 39 minutes
6 15 minutes 45 minutes
7 18 minutes 54 minutes
8 20 minutes 60 minutes
9 23 minutes 69 minutes
10 26 minutes 78 minutes
11 28 minutes 84 minutes
12 30 minutes 90 minutes

*Before starting this walking plan, you may need to talk with your doctor.
**Doesn't include five-minute warm-up and five-minute cool-down time.

References
  1. Aim for a healthy weight. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/aim_hwt.pdf. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
  2. Your guide to physical activity and your heart. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/phy_active.pdf. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.

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Dec. 20, 2008

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