Incredible medicine for aging well: Walking!

I agree! I mix up my walking with some stairstepper climbing and elliptical, but I love it too. Definitely has helped me feel much better and get more fit too.

Just the push I have needed to walk more regularly! Thank you!

I was a race walker for about 30 years. I did this while I had a full-time job and a full-time family. Now the results of this are that at 90 years of age I am in remarkably good health. Had to have a hip replacement as I wore it out. I do not have dementia. I am able to live in my own home and be independent. I am also able to drive. What more could you ask for?

I really miss being able to walk very much.

For more than forty years, it was my go-to exercise. When young (high school/college), it was not unusual for me to walk at least ten miles a day, sometimes as much as fifteen, without stopping.

By the time I hit my fifties, those days were long gone, but I still walked a fair amount. Hiking trails at a local nature center was a favorite hobby.

Once I had a stroke, just walking around the house became a huge challenge.

Recently, though, I decided to try a nature trail, even a few steps. Now, every time my wife and I visit, I go a little further. The other day, I did fifteen minutes on the trail. It doesn't sound like much, and I didn't get more than a hundred or so yards, but for me it's a major achievement. Next time, I'll go even further.

This could be the most important topic in the Aging Well community discussions!
Thanks for the nudge. I need to walk more.

Good for you @scottrl ...great effort. Keep it up. 👍👍
Wishing you continued successes.

Even short walks help. With snow and cold here I've been taking indoor walks in the hallways of my building. Arthritis slows me down but it feels good to move!

Before you begin your walk warm up with a “simple” weight-bearing” exercise: get in and out of bed, ie, lie on the floor (get into bed), slowly get back on your feet (get out of bed) and repeat. Do as many repetitions to warm up. After your walk do a short warm down. Your body needs to be in shape to do aerobic exercises-even walking.

Those of us who have been walkers for a long time will continues as long as we are able. I encourage the non-walkers to get out and start walking if they are able. Certainly getting approval from your medical team is necessary.
I walk when it's cold, snowing and windy. Ice is a challenge but my grandson got me Yak Traks to help on snowy/ icy sidewalks.
Hot weather can also be a challenge, but I walk early in the day or later in the evening. Walking helps with my mental health too. Things don't seem so bad (and believe things have been tough) when I can watch a hawk circle in the sky.

I agree, and have said as much in retirement planning symposia that I used to run on military bases in Canada. As the old aphorism goes, 'Use it, or lose it.' When we stop thinking deeply, our brains become more easily bored and will lose their capacity to do deeper analysis and discovery. When we stop moving our bodies, our muscles atrophy, our vestibular systems lose their skill to keep us balanced, we eventually fall, and it's death-in-hospital afterwards. No thanks.