wow lots of great suggestions.. Just wanted to add, for sure try to shave some time off your mile. if you currently walk a 15 minute mile, try 14. even alternate your miles, use your first mile as a warm up do it in 15, try for 14 your second and third.. You could alternate it anyway but increasing your speed will kick your heart rate up a notch. 3 years ago I could walk a good 12 minute mile.
They have belts you can get with resistance bands on them for arm exercises while walking.. I know theres one with the WATP videos. There was also a sports bra post on here somewhere, someone left the website for a good one.. I can sympathize, have to use 2 sometimes 3 for my running and I'm technically not really big but big enough to damage something if I dont tie em down.
I call it duct tape. The bf thought I was kidding till I had to ask him to help me remove them all one day.. kinda hard to pull the gosh derned things over yer head when your all sweaty!! who invented them to pull over head anyway??? I would like to kick them just once, although do find that the ones that clasp close stretch out on me faster.. SIGH!! being a woman sure can be tough!!
I'm sure whatever you decide to use. you will do great, look how wonderful your doing already!! congratulations..
you didnt say if your current path is paved or not?? I find it more challenging to go trail or dirt, more resistance that way.. I believe its usually less stress on the joints also, since there's some give to the surface. although you will hear me spilling expatives at the road guys after they grade my running roads.. makes it too rocky for me to run as much as I want.. What do they think they're doing anyway.. grading my running path?? their jobs?? LOL.. well just for grins and giggles I think of sending the words their way..
have a great day..