Younger Next Year

Younger Next Year*: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy -Until You're 80 and Beyond (*turn back your biological clock), by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, M.D. is a 2004 self-help book I picked up after having seen a blog post or article suggesting it somewhere. I heard there was a "for women" version of this, and I found it in our local bookstore, but it's exactly like the book I have with relatively minor changes, such as much less talk about penises and male competitiveness and a bit on menopause and osteoporosis. Not enough difference to justify buying the "women's" version. The Rules stay the same for both sexes:

1. Exercise six days a week for the rest of your life.
2. Do serious aerobic exercise four days a week for the rest of your life.
3. Do serious strength training, with weights, two days a week for the rest of your life.
4. Spend less than you make.
5. Quit eating crap!
6. Care.
7. Connect and Commit.

Each of these rules is explored in the book, but it was the section on aerobics I knew least about and found most helpful. I need a heart monitor. Who knew? Also, his focus on this as something to be serious about committing to -in that you consider it like you would think of your job or your school- opened my eyes. I may not "work" in the traditional sense, but I can work at this.

I'd like to see their book Younger Next Year*: The Exercise Program: Use the Power of Exercise to Reverse Aging and Stay Strong, Fit, and Sexy
A training program for the rest of your life. I have a home yoga practice that I continue to refine to suit my changing needs, a Tai Chi class I enjoy, and a series of balance and strength training exercises I use, but a book (I'm a sucker for a book) might be helpful to me in coordinating my schedule. The exercise book was published last year, so I'm assuming the information will be updated and expanded from the more general suggestions in the earlier book.

It has inspired me to include some aerobics in my daily exercise routine, which is a good thing. I tend to avoid aerobic exercise. I enjoy walking, but don't walk quickly enough to get to an aerobic level. I'm looking into a gym membership (the Y, maybe) to use their exercycles. When we had an exercycle I used it faithfully, so that might be a good way to begin including aerobics in my routine.

from the back of the book:

Congratulations, you are about to get younger. Dr. Henry Lodge provides the science. Chris Crowley provides the motivation. And through their New York Times bestselling program, you'll discover how to put off 70 percent of the normal problems of aging —weakness, sore joints, bad balance— and eliminate 50 percent of serious illness and injury. How, in fact, to become functionally younger every year for the next five to ten years, and continue to live with newfound vitality and pleasure. The message is simple: Learn to train for the next third of your life, and you'll have a ball.

The Washington Post says,

Although it basically tells you why and how to exercise more, it's brain-rattling, irresistible, hilarious. If you're up for it, and anywhere near retirement, it could change your life.

The Examiner says, "Read the book and listen to the advice you'll thank yourself later."