Walking is a lower impact exercise and better tolerated as we age.

Why did I choose walking as a form of exercise?  This is an easy answer for me.  It is an exercise that I can continue as I age.  

Walking can be a simpler form of exercise for the beginner, overweight, sedentary, or just the general couch potato.  It may not make you a super athlete or noticeably increase the fitness levels of those already active.  It is easier to start and maintain throughout one’s life.  For me, it offers unmatched stress management, and I can do it during breaks during my workday without having to shower or change clothing.

Unlike high-impact forms of exercise such as PX-90, Crossfit, running, aerobics, and interval training, you do not need to take a day off to give your body time to rest and recover.  The resting period after walking can be minutes or hours instead of days.  This fact makes walking the perfect activity to incorporate into your daily routine.  That being said, start slow.  It is, nonetheless, a useful tool for staying healthy at any age.  

Also, I have had ankle reconstruction and this low impact exercise is perfect for me to reduce the risk of worsening the osteoarthritis of my ankle.  The high impact nature of running is just not worth the days of recovery.  I personally wanted a form of exercise that I felt I could maintain up to and including my 80s or 90s.  Walking is that form of exercise.  

The bottom line: As we age, we begin to osteoarthritis and lower conditioning. Walking has less impact no your joints and can help maintain conditioning and promote longevity. Walk away and enjoy your exercise!