Lainey

What if there was something simple you could do every day that would burn calories, be good for your heart, and help you stay young. You'd do it, right?

Researchers and doctors say walking cuts breast-cancer risks, protects your bones, helps you sleep, and more.

Well, that's why researchers and doctors are so gung ho about walking, especially in light of new research that credits it for everything from cutting breast-cancer risks to helping you sleep.

Walking is not just a weenie activity for the nonathletic, says Michelle Look, M.D., national medical consultant to the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk and a physician who specializes in sports medicine in San Diego, California: "It's good for just about anybody, and the health benefits are particularly significant for women." Here, eight reasons to start walking -- or just walk a little more

8 reasons to walk

We enjoy walking. Our route is about 3.5 miles. Sometimes we'll take a drive in the S to a place where we know we can walk around for an hour or so. Cape Cod Canal, a local bike patch, somewhere with nice scenery. My little bones are "on the edge" of osteoporosis, so walking really is a must. Unfortunately, when the bad weather returns, I turn into a couch potato. The treadmill or gyms hold NO appeal to me.

Gotta move to Florida!

tof

Do in winter what they do in summer in FL...walk a mall.

Lainey

I could but right now it's so easy to walk out of our door and go for a walk after work or after dinner. DRIVING to a mall at the end of a dark winter day after being at work holds absolutely no appeal at all.

I think I'll stick with the winter hibernation mode and hope for the best, like that I don't break a hip or anything.

Kyras

I like walking, but I get shin splints when I do. It's crazy. I never got them when I ran. The podiatrist told me to try to walk on flat ground.

Lainey

What kind of sneakers do you wear? Could that make a difference? Most of my walking is on flat ground. Used to get shin splints years ago. I wear New Balance 608/609 a cross training shoe vs a running or walking shoe. They are great for walking. I have no heel pain, which I used to get with some running shoes, and I just keep buying the same ones.

They "are" a bit clunky, but good for walking.

Kyras

I have tried running shoes and walking shoes. I should try again with new walking shoes. I just changed back to some old running shoes to do the elliptical at the gym and noticed a good difference. I know shoes make a big difference when your feet are taking the brunt of your actions.

timdonna1

We just go after dinner as the sun is setting, much cooler.

tof

I guess we are too close to the Gulf...couple of blocks. In august and september it is still maybe 85 and humid out at 8 or 9 in the evening most nights.

Jet sitter

Since I've been retired, I take a walk every morning before breakfast.

dean

It depends. Will it require removing myself from the sofa? Is there a risk of sweat production? If so, then probably not.