One of my spinning buddies who I ride with indoors during the winter has been bugging me to pick up a copy of the book “Younger Next Year”, written by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge, MD. I finally got around to it last week. Wow. What a great book!
The book is based upon the author’s belief that we can live healthy lives well into our eighties. They tell us that it is insane that our society has created a mindset that it is ok to settle down and wait out a long and painful existence after we retire. In fact, the author’s tell us that once we retire, we start our second job in life, which is to work at becoming healthy and to remain healthy until the end of our lives.
The book extols the virtues of regular “strenuous” exercise six days per week, eating less, and eating more sensible natural foods. The book also talks about the importance of being committed to something…anything. In other words, their message is to stay fit, both physically and mentally.
What the author’s say about water
Drink more water!
They tell us
One of the gadgets that goes to hell in the Next Third is the little thing that tells you you’re thirsty. You don’t feel thirsty, even though your body is crying out for water, which means old boys can have serious dehydration problems for no good reason.
The book also tells us
“we only have five quarts of blood in our system” which isn’t much when you consider that it has to “bring in the food. Take out the garbage. Carry all these amazingly sophisticated message and chemicals.”
The authors tell us that
“dehydration prevents blood from flowing smoothly. Your blood gets thick. It gets gummy and sludgey. Things start to go wrong in the outer provinces of your body, like your kidneys. And in the capital, too … your brain”.
The authors also tell us that your hunger may often be a “false signal” for thirst. They advise us to drink water instead of snacking and you will be surprised how often your hunger will go away. Now where have we heard that before 
As a person who is 54 years old and has been retired for 17 month now, I can tell you that the book Younger Next Year hits really close to home. I believe very strongly in the message that the authors are sharing. Fortunately for me, I love to exercise and I have committed to eating a more natural diet (or should I say my wife has committed me to eating a more natural diet). I have also made made a big commitment to this blog if you haven’t noticed.
If you are in your fifties, or even your forties and you want to get a head start, pick up the book….it is well worth the read.
PS: There are two separate copies, one for men and another for women.
The opinions in this article are those of the author and are meant to give you a kick in the butt if you are sitting back watching life go by.