“Walk your way to health!” Of course, you already know that physical activity is key to aging gracefully, but did you know that walking in particular is one of the most beneficial activities you can do? Here are five benefits of moving those feet:

1. Walking reduces your risk of weight gain (by up to 50%!)
Harvard researchers studied 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to determine how much these genes affect body weight. The effects of the genes in those who walked briskly for an hour a day were cut in half.

2. Walking curbs cravings
Studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk can curb cravings for sweet foods, especially chocolate in particular. Plus, it also curbs the effects of eating certain sugary snacks! (Though we don’t suggest going out and eating a bag of candy because of it.)

3. Walking reduces the risk of breast cancer
Any form of physical activity helps reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, but the American Cancer Society found that women who walked seven or more hours per week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three or fewer hours per week.

4. Walking eases joint pain
Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place. Walking helps protect joints, particularly the knees and hips, by strengthening the muscles that support them and lubricating them.

5. Walking boosts your immune system
A study found that men and women who walked at least 20 minutes a day, five days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those exercised once a week or less. And when those individuals did get sick, it was milder and lasted a shorter time than their counterparts.