Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond [Hardcover]

Chris Crowley (Author), Henry S. Lodge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005

Turn back your biological clock. A breakthrough book for men--as much fun to read as it is persuasive--Younger Next Year draws on the very latest science of aging to show how men 50 or older can become functionally younger every year for the next five to ten years, and continue to live like fifty-year-olds until well into their eighties. To enjoy life and be stronger, healthier, and more alert. To stave off 70% of the normal decay associated with aging (weakness, sore joints, apathy), and to eliminate over 50% of all illness and potential injuries. This is the real thing, a program that will work for anyone who decides to apply himself to "Harry's Rules."

Harry is Henry S. Lodge, M.D., a specialist in internal medicine and preventive healthcare. Chris Crowley is Harry's 70-year-old patient who's stronger today (and skiing better) than when he was 40. Together, in alternating chapters that are lively, sometimes outspoken, and always utterly convincing, they spell out Harry's Rules and the science behind them. The rules are deceptively simple: Exercise Six Days a Week. Eat What You Know You Should. Connect to Other People and Commit to Feeling Passionate About Something. The science, simplified and demystified, ranges from the molecular biology of growth and decay to how our bodies and minds evolved (and why they fare so poorly in our sedentary, all-feast no-famine culture). The result is nothing less than a paradigm shift in our view of aging.

Welcome to the next third of your life--train for it, and you'll have a ball.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Believing they have a unique approach for improving men's lives, Crowley, a former litigator, and Lodge, a board-certified internist, collaborated to write this "evolutionary" health program. The authors base their plan on the idea that instead of looking forward to decades of pain as the body slowly deteriorates, it's possible to live as if you were 50, maybe even younger, for the rest of your life. Yet with the exception of "Harry's First Rule"—exercise at least six days a week—there isn't much that's new or groundbreaking in their agenda. Most recommendations fall under the "common sense" umbrella, though these suggestions may be news to many men, who aren't as steeped in the world of health and fitness as most women are (they may find the chapters dealing with nutrition and biology particularly informative). The authors' method of proffering their philosophy is rather trite, however, and their cavalier demeanor belies the significance of what they have to say. More than one-third of the book is devoted to how and why they came up with this program based on their own lives, with special attention to 70-year-old Crowley's impressive abilities (he says he can ski better now than he could 20 years ago). All told, this manual for healthy living offers sound, if unoriginal, advice with some hackneyed padding.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“An extraordinary book . . . it is easy to read, the science is right, and if one follows Henry Lodge’s and Chris Crowley’s recommendations, both mental and physical aging can be delayed. I wish my patients would follow their advice.”
— K. Craig Kent, M.D., chief of vascular surgery, New York–Presbyterian Hospital

“One long, exuberant New Year’s resolution.”
— The New York Times (The New York Times )

"Brain-rattling, irresistible, hilarious. If you're up for it...[this book] could change your life."
—The Washington Post (The Washington Post )

“One of our highest recommendations so far on growing old gracefully . . . Dr. Lodge, a prominent M.D., focuses on developments in cellular and evolutionary biology. Crowley, his guinea pig, is a firm believer in Dr. Lodge’s science and very good at convincing the reader that, if you’re a fifty-year-old man, you’d be an idiot not to start following the rules as soon as possible. . . . Should be read avidly by anyone growing older as well as forward-thinking youngsters.”
— Kirkus Reports (Kirkus Reviews )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; First Printing edition (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761134239
• ISBN-13: 978-0761134237
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (392 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Crowley, 73, is a former litigator (Davis Polk & Wardwell) who retired in 1990 to ski, sail, bike, play tennis, cook, write these books, and take his passion for them on the road. The author is a contributing expert to HealthCentral.com. He lives in New York City.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

351 of 362 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Younger Is as Younger Does January 5, 2008

By C.J.

Format:Paperback

Of all the anti-aging books I've seen, this is one of most laid back and entertaining. It's written by two guys. Harry, the doctor, covers the science aspects of aging, while the other guy, Chris, talks about applying the info.

The book is centered around "Harry's Rules." These are seven rules for the reader to follow. They include such things as "Quit eating crap" or "Exercise six days a week for the rest of your life." While they might seem to be basic pieces of information, they are sound advice and have some science behind them.

All-in-all, I found this to be a very informative and amusing book and I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book on aging. The realistic key here is not to go into things thinking you're going to STOP the aging process, rather think of SLOWING DOWN the aging process. Aging readers may also find Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff helpful as 54% of people over the age of 60 get a torn rotator cuff.

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What did you do with my husband? May 14, 2007

By F. Clarke

Format:Hardcover

I have been trying for years to get my husband interested in exercise and eating better. I gave him this book just before he went on a trip and he actually read it. He is now a changed person - he rides his bike regularly and purchased a heart monitor. This weekend he bought a set of weights and starting this week he is going to my personal trainer for three sessions to get a schedule he can follow at home. I saw him the other day rereading sections of the book. Nothing has worked to motivate him until he read this book! Thanks so much to the authors.

105 of 116 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent primer for entering the last 3rd. January 16, 2005

By D.M.K VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

First of all, this book is funny and well written. The thing that really stood out for me in this book was that it gives you an accurate idea on what to expect from age 50 on. Being in my late 50s, I can see from personal experience that these authors know what they are talking about. Living in Las Vegas I see men with what we call in Las Vegas "buffet bellys" (huge gut) I seen old people so overweight and out of shape that the only pleasure they have left is gorging themselves at buffets. The science in this book makes very good sense. This book should be a "must read" for anyone entering their 50s-60s who is intrested in staying alive, possibly missing some of the scairest of the diseases and being able to have a sex life in their later years. I cant recommend the book enough for that age group of men and women. I meant to give this book 5 stars, but I cant seem to change the ratings

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, readable, informative July 6, 2006

By Steven J. Rickard VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I saw this book in a local bookstore last winter, flipped through it, thought it looked interesting, and came on to Amazon to see what the reviews were saying. They were okay, not great, I had other things to read, so I decided to pass on this one. I ran across it at my local library a month ago, and decided to check it out. I'm glad I did. The book is written in a simple, conversational and very readable style and I learned a few things. Frankly, when I'm plowing through information on diet, nutrition and exercise, I prefer something friendly and easy to read.

Several reviewers complained that the book is basic, common sense information padded with a lot of "fluff." Well, sure. Why not? Americans obviously need basic, common sense information. Look at the way books giving inflated promises and ridiculous diet plans tend to fly off the shelves and garner rave reviews ... and those are nothing but fluff, nonsense and padding.

The "fluff" in this book entertained me (for the most part). Some of the manly-man bits about running down gazelles and eating them raw got a little old, but the basic message is one that most Americans need to take to heart: use it, or lose it. I watched both of my grandfathers become senile and old beyond their years. Both of them died in their seventies, miserable, angry and sick, and much of what ailed them could've been cured by diet and exercise. Instead, they chose to sit on the couch, watch TV, and complain about everything.

I'm 39 years old. I'm already noticing that when I pull a muscle or twist a joint, it takes much longer to heal than it did. My body has stopped growing, healing has slowed down, and now it's up to me to resist the pull of the tide.... I can spend the next 40 or 50 years slowing down and puffing up, or I can be flat-bellied, trim, muscular and full of health for a long time. This book gives some good, basic, no-nonsense advice to achieving that end.

One negative reviewer griped that sure, he knows exercise is good for him, but that the authors don't touch on motivation and how to get yourself to stop eating pizza, get off the couch, and go for a run. Well, they do talk about that: "Suck it up and do your job." As a long-time sedentary person myself, I'm realizing that it's really the only thing I can do. There isn't a magic formula I can chant to make my morning bike ride more fun - it just takes doing it, whether I enjoy it or not, and eventually ... I'll begin to enjoy it. I took up snowboarding about four years ago at the age of 35. I hated it the first season, tolerated it the second season, enjoyed it the third, loved it the fourth, and now I can hardly wait to get onto the slopes. It does get easier, but you've got to force yourself out there at first. If you can't force yourself, then get a friend to help you. Make a bet. Sign up for a class. Do something. But at the very bottom of it all, you're still going to have to get off the overstuffed recliner and "just do it." I know, it sucks, but ultimately it's going to be worth it! Read more ›

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time....in more ways than one! May 7, 2005

By Donovan A. Baldwin

Format:Hardcover

Time is running out, but most of us aren't out running...or bicycling, or skiing, or lifting weights, or dozens of other things we can do to extend the quality years of our lives. Aging should be the same as with food...about getting better, not getting old and rotten. The authors provide a diagram (a blueprint can't be made to fit everybody) for improving the quality of your coming years, and for improving the possible quantity of those years as well. Written with men in mind, it is true for both men and women. As is sometimes said, "A must-read"!

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Can Be Better January 19, 2005

By D. Conlinn

Format:Hardcover

I read this book, because I saw a review of it on Total Health on TV. I saw the authors discuss the book, and I thought that what they said couldn't be true. Its just wishful thinking. Well, I started to read the book and couldn't put it down. I think the main point of the book is exercise, consistent, for enough time and at a sufficient level to keep going. Vigorous exercise, not just pleasant exercise. I am a geek. I admit that, but I've been feeling tireder every year, and although I am not yet 50, and I am not a guy. I've decided to take the adviced to heart. Hiking the mountains in Bolivia doesn't sound bad to me. Biking through Italy sounds even better. Life doesn't end at 50, it can be exciting, and wonderful. I want that for myself. I want to keep mentally alert so I can enjoy the things I love, like reading, study, and exercise is part of that as well. The hardest part for me is the social one. I am not a social person at all, but as I heard someone say I'd rather live till I die, rather than die before I live.