I used to run in high school, and periodically since then, but it's a LOT easier when you A) put the time in stretching, and B) don't have the extra weight slamming on your knees, and C) regularly replace your shoes.
I was doing a LOT of walking while working in the restaurant business, for awhile regularly over 30,000 steps a day, as I'd walk to and from work 3 miles, and then go walk on my lunch break between meals. Got out to a desk job though and it's been ROUGH as I went from burning 4500 calories a day to...well, not.
The ellpitical my wife got when she graduated college has been coming in handy though, as I have no excuse to sit down and watch TV when I've got one right in front of the elliptical. Even when I set out to do it at more of a walk I always sort of accidentally end up at more of a jogging pace. And I tend not to end up with the same knee/foot/leg issues I end up with when I run but don't put in the stretching time or shoe replacement. Still figuring out how to eat sanely while dealing with the fact that I cook for a family in a way that isn't what I'd be looking to do for myself, but at least keeps the entropy somewhat at bay...
