I can just hear my 6th Grade teacher in the hallway behind us proclaiming, “Walk with a purpose!” meaning if you’re going to walk, do it quickly. That’s what came to mind when I read this article about walking:
“Strong associations with health status have been seen for habitual or self-rated walking pace, which has been associated with better physical fitness and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, with brisk walkers having up to 20 years greater life expectancy compared to slow walkers.”
https://innatechoice.com/blogs/articles/new-studies-show-exercise-protects-against-brain-and-body-aging
You need to engage in moderate intensity exercise at least 30 minutes per day! There is just no doubt that brisk walking has significantly greater health benefits than slow walking. However, any walk is better than none and gradually increasing your pace as you get fitter and more comfortable is absolutely wonderful. Exercise, even something as simple as a brisk daily walk, is the most potent health recovery, health maintenance, and illness prevention intervention ever studied. You genetically require exercise in order to express health – period! No drug or surgery will EVER fix health problems caused by lack of exercise – but daily brisk walking can!!
Dr. James Chestnut, B.Ed., M.Sc., D.C., C.C.W.P.