Before beginning any new exercise regimen, especially if you are not used to regular exercise, it is important to consult with your primary care physician.
According to Dr. William Roberts, a runner-friendly physician and professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, people who are not used to regular exercise should meet with their doctor to assess overall health, blood pressure and other vitals before beginning a vigorous exercise program.
“Starting a walking program may not require a visit in a young healthy person who starts low and builds slow as long as the red flag symptoms are understood so exercise is stopped before problems accelerate,” Dr. Roberts said.
Dr. Roberts said your doctor can help you go over these red flag symptoms so they are identifiable if they start to surface. Sometimes doctors will also give a stress test but those tests are given on a case-by-case basis.
Once your doctor gives you the OK to exercise get the Start Walking Plan to begin your exercise regimen.
Hannah is a former Social Media Editor for Runner’s World. Hannah started running in February 2012 with a Couch-to-5K program and less than seven months later ran her first half-marathon. You can follow Hannah on Twitter @byHannahMcG.
