When Chris Crowley visited Dayton just a year ago, his focus was on men.
This time around, it’s about women.
Crowley, co-author of “Younger Next Year for Men,” has revised the popular book.
“The science and advice we hand out is equally applicable to women,” says Crowley, who wrote the books with his physician, Henry S. Lodge. With Lodge’s help, Crowley transformed himself from an overweight weekend athlete with constant aches and pains to a fit and healthy 71-year-old who has the functional health of a 49-year-old.
Crowley says the stakes are even higher for women.
“The major killers of women–far more than breast cancer–are heart attack and strokes,” he says. “These are things you can handle with lifestyle changes.”
Crowley, who describes aging in America as a horror that typically involves letting ourselves get fat, apathetic and pain-racked, insists we can all turn back the biological clock through serious exercise and healthier eating.
“Seventy percent of aging is voluntary. We don’t have to go there,” he says. “When you reach a certain age, the default message is atrophy, which is why you get old. You can overcome that default by sending your own message to grow. The master signal for growth is exercise.”
Crowley says aerobics is the “single best thing you can do to avoid heart attack and strokes.” Weight training is also essential.
“Women are susceptible to bone loss, and weight training is the only thing that really works,” he says.
Men and women approach aging differently, according to the authors.
“Men in their 50s and 60s are getting uneasy. They view retirement with alarm,” Crowley explains. “Women are more flexible and have been through so many time-dictated changes. They’ve been juggling all of their lives and are easier about change. They’re not as scared. A lot of women feel they are coming into their own as they age. They’re more optimistic.”
Finally, Crowley says women’s flair for connecting with other people is a plus when it comes to growing older.
“Men run a terrible risk of becoming increasingly isolated as they get older. They turn inward, and it kills them,” he says. “Women are much better at staying in touch with their pals, and that’s a good thing, because they are likely to be alone in their last five or 10 years.”
Crowley thinks it’s ridiculous for men or women to try to look 25 when they are 60.
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“It’s a waste of time, money and pain,” he believes. “This is more about being a terrific-looking and healthy 60.”