summary ofYounger Next YearBook by Chris Crowley, Henry S. Lodge, MD

first KEY POINT

Grow or weaken — the choice is yours

For all living things, aging comes to us all. For humans, our:• Hair turns gray.
• Maximum heart rate steadily decreases over time.
• Skin breaks down, regardless of activity levels.However, it's not something we should fear, as this process is relatively gradual. Instead, we must be more concerned with the deterioration of our state because, unlike aging, it is a choice.The common belief that aging's decline sets in around 50 is a misconception. But this doesn't have to be our future; we can live vibrantly well into our eighties and beyond by adopting healthy habits.

In the typical US lifestyle, many start their descent into aging around 55. As each year goes by, they gain more weight and become a little slower and weaker, with more pain and less mental acuity. And within a few years after 60, they end up in a nursing home.What can we do to forge a different path? Long-lasting vitality rests on several pivotal factors, such as a nourishing diet, emotional resilience, and a profound engagement with life. But the first and fundamental step is regular physical activity.The human body constantly renews itself — muscles every four months, blood cells every three, platelets every ten days, and bones every few years. In the upcoming sections, discover how to harness this renewal process through exercise and a balanced diet.