Choose Play urges women to get active to fight cancer - KMSP-TV

The American Cancer Society warns that obesity and physical inactivity may account for up to 30 percent of major cancers -- and that's why the organization is issuing a challenge to urge women to get healthier.

The plan is called Choose Play in May, and it was launched after a survey conducted by the ACS found women were 10 percent less likely to make time for physical activities they enjoy than men -- and 40 percent of respondents said they would be more physically active if it felt less like work and more like play.

It's never a surprise to find the Laprairie family playing a game outside in their Woodbury neighborhood, and momma is always in the middle of it all.

"Being out here and being active with the kids is the best," Mary Laprairie said. "It's 30 minutes. I don't have to be in front of a video tape in the exercise room."

Laprairie is serious about getting in her daily physical activity because, as a volunteer with ACS, she knows the risks that come when you don't exercise.

"If you are healthy and you get some intentional activity -- where your heartbeat goes up and perspire a little bit, that's going to make a whole lot of difference in the fight against cancer," she said.

It's not uncommon for people to think of a workout as a chore. In fact, that's why the even the experts are changing their approach.

"There's an organization called PTA Global that calls their workouts 'playouts'," said Jason Stella, a fitness master at LIFETIME Fitness who preaches movement -- even if it's just 10 minutes a day to start. "The biggest thing is: What do you like to do?"

According to Stella, if you can get yourself to think of exercise as a play-out instead of workout, it'll help you maintain a healthy habit.

"Movement is key to life, and if you can't move and are not moving, then all of the things that happen within your body -- your cells, all that stuff -- will stay stagnant and probably grow the cancer," he said.

So remember, activity doesn't have to be running or a workout tape. It can be four square, basketball, hop scotch, tennis or any other activity you enjoy.

The ACS hopes people who take the challenge will also share their story on the way, and they are hoping for 100,000 acts of play by the end of the month.

Online Resource:

• Choose Play Online