Is walking good for me?

I am a 70 year old pensioner. In my younger days, I used to be very active. Now that I am retired, I want to be doing some exercises. Somebody recommended walking. I want to know if this is okay at my age?

Baba Ali (by SMS)

• How listening can save lives

The latest research shows that sitting may be more harmful to your health than smoking. Luckily, getting up off the couch and going for a walk can put you well on your way to preventing everything from heart disease and diabetes to high blood pressure, depression, memory problems, and more. It has now been confirmed that walking can be as good as a workout, if not better, than running. In fact, walking is the suggested workout over running for many people at any age. For example, those with knee, ankle and back problems and also for people who are overweight to obese. Walking is a lower impact exercise and can be done for longer periods of time and at any age. Walking improves fitness, cardiac health, alleviates depression and fatigue, improves mood, creates less stress on joints and reduces pain, can prevent weight gain, reduce risk for cancer and chronic disease, improve endurance, circulation, and posture among other benefits.