Research published by John’s Hopkins University gives us the most important reason of all to maintain a trim figure:  Our Life.  An overweight woman is at increased risk for breast, uterine, and cervical cancers.  This article reports that “one-third of cancer deaths in women are now attributable to excess body weight.”  As women, we often put exercise into the vanity category – take a class to maintain flat abdominals or to increase definition of the arm.  It is time to re-evaluate and see the value of exercise in maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases.