Fatigue When Walking

Walking can be great exercise for many reasons. Almost anybody can do it, even people who haven't exercised for a long time or who are overweight or even obese. Feeling fatigued when walking, however, might indicate a medical problem, especially if the fatigue comes after a short, non-strenuous walk. Always talk to your doctor before starting a walking program, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medication.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can make even the simplest walk feel like strenuous exercise. Heart problems, for example, can leave you feeling out of breath and fatigued after just a few minutes. According to eMedTV, other health conditions that might affect how you feel when walking include high blood pressure, arthritis and even diabetes.

Poor Breathing

If you have asthma or a lung disease or if you smoke, you might have trouble breathing properly when walking. If oxygen doesn't flow properly through your lungs, it won't reach your muscles either, so they'll get tired more easily and lead to fatigue, according to researcher David C. Zawieja, Ph.D. from the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. Conversely, light exercise such as walking can help improve lung function over time, so it's important to stick to it even when tired.

Diet

A poor diet can lead to quick fatigue when doing any type of physical activity, including walking. According to the Better Health Channel, you can improve your energy levels by avoiding crash diets and instead eating a well-balanced diet. Don't skip breakfast and make sure you eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as red meat, lentils, beans, liver and egg yolks. Stay well-hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.

Muscle Problems

If you're out of shape and not used to exercise, even a simple walk can result in fatigue. A good way to address this is to start walking on even terrain first for 10 or 15 minutes a day. As your body gets stronger, increase the length of the walk. Once you're able to walk for longer periods, such as 45 or 60 minutes, increase the workout intensity by walking faster or walking on incline terrain.