Roadmap for Health and Vitality

As part of my commitment to LifeExcellence, I’m always looking for information and strategies that will help me – in every area of life. I want that for myself, and I also want to be able to share information with you. With so much out there, none of us is exposed to everything. I’ve always thought that, if we can share resources and information, it will help all of us to more efficiently gather and incorporate these tools and techniques into our lives.

It feels a little like sharing a good recipe. When we prepare something from a recipe, and it turns out great, it’s fun to share that recipe with others. There’s no sense “reinventing the wheel,” especially when it comes to basic tips on how to develop ourselves both personally and professionally.

I’ve been reading a lot lately in the areas of health, fitness, and longevity. Part of it is self-serving – I’m not getting any younger, and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I possibly can to stay healthy and fit. And part of my research is out of frustration, as I think and read about the state of our country – and our world – as it relates to health. Our top diseases are largely preventable, and yet many people aren’t doing things they could (and arguably should) do to live a healthier life.

I was given a book recently that I think is worth reading and sharing. It’s called Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy – Until You’re 80 and Beyond, by Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry S. Lodge. While the book is clearly targeting middle-aged men, I believe it provides some great tips for healthy living at any age, for both men and women. 

Younger Next Year boasts that its readers will “discover how to put off 70% of the normal problems of aging, and eliminate 50% of serious illness and injury.” The “secrets” are simple, but provide a pretty good prescription for success in the areas of health and fitness.

Here are “Harry’s Rules” (from co-author Henry Lodge):

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.

Pretty simple, right? And yet how many people do you know who are doing this? How are you doing?

Probably my biggest takeaway from the book was the authors’ advice to “take up one of the healing sports.” They discuss the wear and tear on joints from activities like running, and then go on to describe activities that are actually good for your joints: biking, swimming, cross-country skiing, and rowing.

With the exception of riding my Peloton bike, I don’t engage in the healing sports. I love that I always have room to grow and improve, and this definitely provides an opportunity for me to “up my game.”

Younger Next Year isn’t rocket science. It isn’t based on “cutting edge research” in the areas of health and fitness. The “rules” are pretty basic. But that’s true with most of the “secrets to success.” They’re things we know we should probably do, and yet we don’t always do them.

If you follow their recommendations, you will certainly increase the likelihood of remaining healthy and fit. And this is a pretty good recipe – whether you’re 20, 30, 50, or even 80.

As always, I’m interested in your feedback. Let me know what habits you’ve incorporated into your life that have made a positive impact. Share them in the comments, so we can all benefit from things that are working for you.