OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Slowly build up stamina over the first few weeks and months. To start, run three times a week for eight weeks, beginning with sessions that involve more walking than actual running, and ending with 30 minutes of non-stop jogging.

• Your first session, run for a minute, then walk for 90...

Then walk. Walk across a room, down the block, walk a mile at your speed. Eventually, you'll find yourself walking further and faster. In time you may want to start running. If you hate running, swap it out for something else.

While you can walk alone, you don’t have to. And these days, walking is one of the safer activities available to us. Invite a friend or family member to join you — in person when it’s doable, safe, and responsible — and over the phone when it isn’t.