Staying Active May Stave Off This

You know you should get off the couch and get moving, but if you need an extra push -- or shove -- here's something that ought to do it.

It's cancer protection. And you don't have to work up a sweat to get a benefit. So no more excuses!

Just Move Those Feet
The more active people are on a daily basis, the lower their odds of dying from cancer, according to a large study of Japanese men and women. And it's true regardless of what people do -- whether it's butt-kicking runs on the treadmill or quiver-inducing strength workouts or leisurely rounds of golf and long walks with the dog. Any type of physical activity will do. Here's one of the absolute easiest exercises you could possibly do.

More Get-Moving Opportunities
It's not clear why exercise is a cancer fighter. It may have something to do with its inflammation- and stress-fighting powers. So don't skip this part of your RealAge Plan. No time? No worries. Here's how to sneak some exercise into your everyday routine:

• Leave the cart . . . and lug those grocery bags by hand. Here are more everyday activities that can double as strength builders.
• Rock out with your floor mop. Find out how doing chores with a few up-tempo twists makes for a super workout.
• Check out this whole-body workout that takes just 20 minutes.

Should you buy that infomercial exercise equipment? Watch this video to find out which products work and which ones don't.

Daily total physical activity level and total cancer risk in men and women: results from a large-scale population-based cohort study in Japan. Inoue, M. et al., American Journal of Epidemiology 2008 Aug 15;168(4):391-403.