How to do it
You need: Supportive shoes, Any walking aid you have been given.
Put on supportive shoes and take any walking aid you were given. Choose a flat, even route close to home.
- Set off at an easy, comfortable pace.
- Walk out for about half your planned time, then turn back, so you are never far from home.
- Add a few minutes to the total every two or three days as it feels manageable.
- Sit and raise the leg afterward if you notice any swelling.
Form cues
- You can hold a conversation comfortably while you walk.
- Any ache settles quickly once you stop and rest.
- You feel pleasantly tired afterward, not wiped out for the rest of the day.
Common mistakes
- Doing one long walk rather than building the distance up gradually.
- Increasing your time and your speed at the same time.
- Ignoring swelling instead of resting and raising the leg.
Safety: Stop and seek urgent medical advice if you get calf pain, swelling, or heat, chest pain, or sudden breathlessness.