Today the way to the highest reaches of the corporate world is more open for women than it has ever been. Though the top ranks of American businesses are still overwhelmingly occupied by men, women such as Meg Whitman at eBay, Anne Mulcahy at Xerox and Brenda Barnes at Sara Lee continue to show that given the opportunity, women are capable of successfully leading any business or organization.

But as more women find their way into leadership positions, whether in project management, management or corporate CEO's, there is one area in which women need to work hard not to emulate their male counterparts. The time demands, job-related stress and other pressures experienced by project leaders pose as serious a threat to the health of women.

Longer work days and crowded schedules cannot become an excuse for skipping regular physical exams. Women have long benefited from their greater willingness to visit the doctor when their bodies tell them something is wrong. A misguided desire to be regarded as a warrior who never misses a day and ignores signs that physical health is in jeopardy can prove deadly.

Regular exercise becomes more important as workload and stress increase. This is no mean challenge, but not an insurmountable one. Even 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can be a lifesaver. Whether that means spending part of a lunch hour walking or simply skipping the elevator to walk up stairs whenever possible, it is vital that women leaders get regular physical activity. This serves not only to condition the body but also to relieve the destructive effects of stress. Managing stress will have the double benefit of safeguarding health by also increasing effectiveness.

The stakes for women are far too high to risk sacrificing a healthy lifestyle. Years of hard work to reach positions of leadership and responsibility will count for nothing if debilitating illness forces you out of the workplace. Controllable health issues must not be allowed to become the new glass ceiling for women in the workplace.