Running or jogging is not necessary to achieve fitness or health benefits. Another approach to physical activity is to incorporate more exercise into one's daily lifestyle. For example, walk or cycle to work and climb stairs rather then taking escalators or elevators. Being more physically active at home or in the garden, or planning informal 8-10 minute walks throughout the day can increase the daily energy expenditure. Parking a car at the far end of the parking lot or 2-3 blocks from a destination also increases activity.
Any exercise is better than none, although more, to the level recommended, is better.
The goal is to make physical activity an integral part of one's lifestyle and to exercise on a regular basis. Once an exercise program is stopped, the benefits rapidly disappear. This is why it is important to maintain a physically active lifestyle at all ages. Most elderly people do not have to exercise vigorously to achieve benefits. It remains important for these older individuals with disease to maintain a physically active lifestyle, but the activity plan is often modified to accommodate a specific condition.