It's Really Quite Simple

John simply having fun

A friend suggested to John that he read the book Younger Next Year written by a Chris Crowley, a former lawyer and Henry Lodge M.D. a board certified internist.  John hasn't read it yet, but I picked it up, since I'm one of those people who will read just about anything.  The book is supposed to be a "revolutionary"  change of attitude towards the aging process.  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.  The book is clearly targeted towards baby boomers who are just now hitting their retirement years and are scared poopless of the aging process. 

To be honest, I didn't find it very revolutionary.  Clearly the masses don't agree, since it sold extremely well and even spawned a website http://www.youngernextyear.com/ that helps promote various spin offs from the original book that of course cost money.  The book follows a set of rules called "Harry's Rules" (Harry is Henry Lodge - I know it's confusing)

Harry's Rules

1. Exercise for 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 & Commit

Heck, all you had to do was watch Oprah for the past few years and you would know all about this.  I've never really followed Oprah that closely, but I remember watching one show, where she made it quite clear that she had more money than she could ever spend in a lifetime and if there was a sure fire quick and easy way to lose weight, than she would have bought it, not matter what cost.  At the end of the day, the only thing that really worked, was eating the right kind of food in moderation and exercising.  It's a fact we all know, but there's a billion dollar industry out there that feeds into the belief that there's a magic potion that can help you lose weight.  The book Younger Next Year simply puts the Oprah show into print (and profits from it).

One thing the book pointed out, is that the rules were much easier to follow if your spouse/partner/significant other/friend joined you in the process.  It simply makes sense that if you're trying to change your life style, than those that will affect and be affected by the change, are on board with you.  I'm really lucky in that respect, since John (even without reading the book) is totally on board with regards to all of Harry's Rules, even before we knew about Harry's Rules.  These days John and I are over at Donalda Club hitting golf balls in the indoor range, working out and sometimes skating on the outdoor rink.  We both enjoy it and we both enjoy cheering each other on in our efforts to drop some weight and get healthy.  On Friday nights we play together in co-ed league - it puts a whole new spin on date night.

At the end of the day, we're all getting older.  I don't need a book to tell me that I need to stay active and eat right ... I just need to do it.