Chris Crowley

I really enjoyed this book. I am baffled by the negative reviews saying it is just an exercise book. There is so much more to this book. Yes, the focal point is getting you to MOVE. We, as humans, are becoming a sedentary, obese society. As we age, we decline and so many live their later years unable to enjoy their life. I was in medicine for most of my life and have seen vibrant YOUNG 90 year olds and OLD 50 year olds. This book addresses this issue and ways to LIVE a quality life in your show more later years. Yes, exercise is the main thing. but they also discuss diet. They discuss the importance of social connection and even sex to living a younger strong fit life. One of the things I really like about this book is how it discusses the science behind everything. It made it a very interesting read and not just a do this get healthy book.
Many of the things I am doing already since the divorce and my new job and I definitely feel better than I did 15 years ago. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is over 40 and even younger. We start declining at 30. What they recommend is not that difficult and can make a difference. They have a version that is not for women but is basically the same book. show less

I read this for a 4-week discussion group at my health club. The discussion group, led by a physical trainer (with one meeting also welcoming a registered dietitian) was much more worthy than the book itself. It was good to discuss highlights with, and bounce ideas off, each other. Too, I met another member with whom I seem to have quite a few shared interests—I've made a new friend!

The book itself was quite repetitive, and the main author comes off as quite a jerk. I concentrated on the show more chapters authored by his doctor, which primarily reinforced things I've read elsewhere or heard from my own doctors (good that they agree, anyway).

If you're interested in the subject, I'd recommend borrowing the book from the library [there's a version not specific to women, too, if you don't need the menopause chapter], reading the "rules" (I think there were six of them) on a single page in the appendix, and scanning the table of contents for sections that particularly interest you (and reading those). That is, skip most of the book.

The nutshell: exercise 6 days a week (4 cardio/2 strength) for the rest of your life; don't eat crap; have good relationships; engage in activities that interest you; be optimistic. I just saved you a few bucks and many hours. You're welcome! show less

This is a great fun and inspiring read. It is directed to men near the beginning of the last third of life, i.e. around 60. So I am certainly in the target audience!

The book is structured around Harry's Seven Rules: 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; show more 7) Connect and commit.

The chapters more or less alternate between Chris and his physician Harry. Chris tells lots of stories from his own life and Harry gives more a scientific justification of the program they outline. The basic idea is that we are living beings, animals, mammals - that is the biological foundation on which our humanity rests. Our humanity is a rather thin layer on top of all that biology. Denying our animality just doesn't work. The smart strategy is to recognize and work with it. At one point they use the analogy of a horse and rider. That reminds me of the classic analogy from the Katha Upanisad, which I think was more a chariot drawn by several horses, but the intent was basically the same.

The program they outline is not so far from how I have been living already, but it has motivated me to make some changes. I try to exercise regularly but with only moderate success. This book has given me good motivational tools to be a lot more regular! Primarily by explaining how important it is. I am also cutting back to two cups of coffee/tea a day which should help me sleep better.

They do talk a bit about how this program is suitable for a wide range of budgets but I must say it does come across directed at... well, money is funny... Chris was a high powered lawyer... there is a lot of talk here about travel and gym memberships and shiny new equipment. Just regular medical checkups. I can afford rent and food and heat & figure that's pretty good. I think the program presented here can work just fine on a limited budget. But the presentation could put folks off a bit who aren't set up quite as nicely as a retired high power lawyer. show less

I managed to get through this excellent book despite Chris Crowley's cheery, jocular, sometimes grating style because it is (a) full of useful information about staving off the optional deterioration of aging and (b) inspirational. Henry Lodge's medical chapters are very thorough though in some spots already outmoded, and Crowley's advice assumes a rather large disposable income (skiing, long-distance cycling on expensive bicycles, and master's athlete camps are not for those on a limited show more budget). I admit that as a master's athlete myself, I have spent an inordinate amount of my own salary on training, tournaments, and travel, but I know better than to expect everyone else to do it. I recommend the book if you have a high tolerance for peppy lecturing.

But seriously, "Old Fred?" Yeugh. show less