There are certain summers that stick with you—not because everything went smoothly, but because life had a way of handing you exactly the lessons you needed. My internship in the state of Washington, the summer of 1980, was one of those. Back then, I was a junior at Iowa State, trying to line up all the things I thought would guarantee a good job after graduation: solid grades, some campus involvement, and most importantly, that golden ticket on any engineering résumé—an internship in your field. So I spent the spring sending out application after application, collecting a thick stack of rejection letters in return. It became routine enough that some days I’d find myself laughing at how efficiently companies could say “No thanks.” My dorm room wall was full of “flush letters” and I treated it like it was a badge of honor.
Younger Next Year
by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D.
Younger Next Year
by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D.
“Younger Next Year” by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, M.D., is a transformative guide that challenges the notion of aging as an inevitable decline and offers practical advice on how to live a vibrant and active life well into old age. Through a combination of scientific research and motivational insights, the authors present a compelling argument for embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes exercise, nutrition, and social connections.
The core principles of the book are encapsulated in “Harry’s Rules,” a set of guidelines aimed at reversing the aging process and achieving optimal health. These rules serve as a roadmap for readers to follow in their journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Harry’s Rules:
1. Exercise six days a week for the rest of your life: This rule emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining overall health and vitality. Crowley and Lodge advocate for a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises, performed consistently throughout the week. By incorporating exercise into their daily routine, individuals can improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle mass, and enhance mobility and flexibility.
2. Do serious aerobic exercise four days a week: Aerobic exercise, such as running, cycling, or swimming, plays a crucial role in improving heart health, increasing energy levels, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The authors recommend engaging in intense aerobic workouts at least four days a week to reap maximum benefits. By challenging themselves with vigorous exercise, individuals can boost their metabolism, burn calories, and experience greater overall fitness.
3. Do serious strength training, with weights, two days a week: Strength training is essential for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and functional capacity as we age. Crowley and Lodge advocate for incorporating weightlifting or resistance training into one’s exercise regimen at least two days a week. By lifting weights, individuals can strengthen their muscles, improve posture, and reduce the risk of injury. The authors emphasize the importance of progressively increasing resistance over time to continue challenging the body and stimulating muscle growth.
4. Spend less than you make: Financial health is an integral component of overall well-being. Crowley and Lodge stress the importance of living within one’s means, saving for the future, and avoiding unnecessary debt. By prioritizing savings and investments, individuals can achieve greater financial security and peace of mind. The authors advocate for setting clear financial goals, tracking expenses, and making prudent financial decisions to ensure long-term financial stability.
5. Quit eating crap: Nutrition plays a significant role in supporting overall health and vitality. Crowley and Lodge urge readers to adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, while minimizing consumption of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats. By making healthier food choices, individuals can fuel their bodies with essential nutrients, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
6. Care: Cultivating meaningful relationships, pursuing passions and interests, and finding purpose and fulfillment in life are essential aspects of healthy aging. Crowley and Lodge encourage readers to prioritize self-care, seek out social connections, and engage in activities that bring joy and satisfaction. By nurturing their emotional and mental well-being, individuals can enhance their quality of life and experience greater overall happiness and fulfillment.
7. Connect and commit: The final rule emphasizes the importance of social connections and accountability in maintaining long-term health and fitness goals. Crowley and Lodge encourage readers to connect with like-minded individuals, join fitness groups or classes, and enlist the support of friends and family members in their journey towards a healthier lifestyle. By committing to their health and well-being, individuals can stay motivated, accountable, and focused on achieving their goals.
Through exercise, nutrition, and social connections, individuals can unlock their full potential and enjoy a life of health, happiness, and longevity.
If you wish to purchase this book on Amazon https://amzn.to/3TH87m8
There is also a "The Younger Next Year Back Book" https://amzn.to/3KkO4FQ
And there are downloads from the Younger Next Year Website below:
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Good Review of Younger Next Year.
The Internship That Changed Everything
Long Lake Summers
There are seasons in life you don’t see coming—chapters that don’t announce themselves with fanfare, yet settle so deeply into your memory that years later you can still smell the lake water, feel the pull of the tow rope, and hear the hum of a boat engine echoing across a still summer evening. For me, one of those chapters began the moment I graduated from Iowa State in May of 1981 and took my first real job at 3M. I was barely 22, carrying that mix of confidence and cluelessness that only a new graduate can pull off, and ready to step into the adult world.
Hero of the Beach
When I think back to my childhood— maybe around nine years old—there’s a very specific smell, a very specific feeling, that comes rushing back: the scent of ink and old paper from a stack of Marvel comic books. It’s funny how memory works. I can’t remember what I ate last Tuesday, but I can still picture—clear as day—the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #56 with the Daily Bugle headlines screaming "Spidey joins Doc Ock" sitting on the floor of my bedroom, or the way the corner store rack looked when I spun it, hoping for a new issue of anything with the red-and-blue web-slinger on the front.
Good Review of Younger Next Year.