Do you want to live longer?
Do you want to be healthier?
All you have to do is walk for an hour every day. If you add this good habit to your daily routine the odds are that you will live longer than if you do not walk every day.
In the excellent blog post by Gretchen Reynolds in the New York Times, she describes the results of two studies on exercise and longevity:
The Right Dose of Exercise for a Longer Life
I encourage you to read the entire article since they have collected a huge amount of evidence that supports the value of exercise for seniors. The other big advantage of walking is that it is a gentle, low-impact exercise. As long as you pay attention the odds of getting injured are very low.
Of course, one hour a day might be too much for some people. If you aren’t currently walking, then start out slow. Walk for five or ten minutes to start and then gradually increase the time. Choose somewhere interesting and safe to walk such as a neighborhood park. On days with bad weather you can either dress appropriately for the weather or walk indoors in a place such as a mall.
The key is to make your daily walk a habit.
Before you start any new exercise make sure to check with your physician.