What if someone told you, you could add years to your life and save hundreds of dollars every year by simply walking for 30 minutes a day. Would you do it?

Despite the benefits, fitness expert Angie Lewis has heard every excuse in the book. She's also seen the stats.

"It's very alarming that about 70% of our nation is not physically active," says Lewis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inactivity makes a person one to two-and-a-half times more likely to come down with coronary heart disease.

"So the best thing you can do if you're currently sedentary is go on a walk - hands down. It's the best thing you can do," says Lewis.

We're not talking marathon sessions, but researchers with the American Heart Association estimate for every hour of exercise, you add two hours to your life expectancy. If an hour is too long, the Surgeon General recommends 30 minutes of walking five days a week. It can lower high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of cancer and Type-II diabetes.

"It's a good way to work the heart, prevent disease, burn calories. It's low impact, so many benefits from walking," says Lewis.

And if you want to take things a step further, wear a pedometer. One study revealed users increased their physical activity by 2,100 steps a day - that's the equivalent of one mile. The reason: it's reinforcement - a little mind trick that actually works.

"It's such a reward to see what they've done throughout the day on their pedometer," says Lewis.

Here are some simple ways to get some extra walking in:

* Park your car a little further away from the office.

* Get off the bus a stop or two sooner.

* Walk to lunch.

* Jump on the treadmill.

* Take the stairs.

* Put the remote control down - get up and change the channel.

Add up all these little extra steps, and it can save you a lot. The centers for disease control says physically active people can save $330 in direct medical costs every year.