Crack The Code presents an unconventional, motivation-based approach to health for men 50 and over. Ten strategies for creating and maintaining inspiration for a healthy lifestyle are advanced from a platform of survey research, interviews and the author’s personal experiences. Primary audiences for the book are men over 50 and the people that love them; their wives, partners, children and grandchildren. Additional audiences include health care providers, insurers, policy makers, men of all ages who want to find motivation for healthy behavior and anyone who has struggled with their health.
Asserting that without motivation no diet, exercise program, technology or other strategy will produce sustained results, Crack The Code describes how healthy-living men, one of the most health-challenged segments of the American population, exhibit a strong cognitive association between their life’s priorities and their behaviors; a catalytic awareness in which men often integrate their valued relationships into their health behaviors (they take walks with their wife). What the author terms Male Cognitive Behavioral Alignment.
The secret sauce of male motivation outlined in the book is derived from a nationwide survey of 1,000 healthy-living men. Crack The Code translates the findings into strategies and tactics with actionable exercises. Personal stories from interviews and focus groups add practical insights and emotion that engages readers. A discussion of relevant theories from psychology, management science and the fields of decision making and behavior change anchor the model in a context of well-established thinking. Crack The Code concludes with a call to action for a new culture of men’s health, outlining a confluence of social, economic and political factors in the US and beyond that represent a tipping point where healthy behavior among 50 plus men will become the new norm.
Crack The Code’s focus on motivation and the psycho-social underpinnings of behavior fills a gap in a market dominated by publications on traditional diet and exercise. By digging deeper and using everyday men as a source, Crack The Code breaks new ground for a burgeoning segment of the baby-boomer population that is in desperate need of help. The potential to influence men of other ages as well as health care providers, insurers and policy makers, creates a tremendously valuable read.
An executive for over 40 years in the public and private sectors, Louis Bezich currently serves as a Senior Vice-President with a major health care system. He is an adjunct professor in the Graduate Department of Public Policy and Administration at the Camden Campus of Rutgers University and sits on various public, non-profit and corporate boards.
Bezich has published numerous articles in the field of public administration and health and is a contributing author to Corporate Lawbreaking and Interactive Compliance, edited by Jay A. Sigler and Joseph E. Murphy. He holds a master's degree in public policy from Rutgers University, a bachelor's degree in social science from the University of Tampa and is a graduate of Harvard University's Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. "Crack The Code" is his first book.
Crack The Code offers insights for middle-aged men--and the friends and families who love them. While this book is written for men over 50--it provides excellent insights to women and younger generations too. This book focuses on a lot of the psychological aspects and motivations behind healthy living decision making and lifestyles for older men. As a wife, the book made me realize that some of my husband's priorities and habits (like skipping doctor visits and such) are not just his--but are often more common in men than in women. There is actually a section of the book devoted to the importance of women as related to inspiration, motivation, and health. I doubt that my husband would take the time to read the book from cover to cover as I did--, but he may take an interest in working through some of the book's questions/answers as we develop some sustainable lifestyle changes that we can do together.
The personal stories provide various points of reference and value to readers. The author chose men who shared different lifestyles, different attitudes toward diet and exercise--and even different challenges in terms of health, environment, and support systems. I was able to see various aspects of my husband's life and habits in these profiles, and they showed that there is a broadly acceptable curve for healthy, successful lives--and that those who inspire and motivate can also create challenges for the men they love! Like one of the wives in the book--I am willing to cook wonderful healthy meals--but sometimes I just want Oreo cookies in the house too! This book looks at life as a whole. Health and fulfillment entail much more than a proper checkup at the doctor. We all also want different things from our futures, and I loved the goal-setting/motivational charts to encourage men to create short term weekly and monthly rewarding activities--and long term rewards and goals too.
Would I recommend Crack the Code by Louis Bezich? This book is an excellent book for middle-aged men (and women) to use as they wake up and wonder, "what's next?" for their lives. This book is much more than a "health" book for men. Crack the Code helps them find motivation and inspiration to make the most of their lives. Through the exercises and insights presented in this book, readers look at health, relationships, activities, priorities, dreams, goals, etc. as a foundation to help them develop a lifestyle, habits, and plans to achieve the things they value in life. Crack the Code is a great book to read through from cover to cover--but it is also a great book to use again and again as you create lifestyle plans and change/grow/adapt your projects and life goals over time. I would recommend this book to any middle-aged man feeling stuck or weighed down by unhealthy habits or unfulfilled dreams. I would also suggest that their wives/significant others/children read it too to better understand how to support them and encourage them.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
Crack the Code is a truly motivating book for any man but is especially directed at a 50+ years of age, men's audience. It would be wise for younger men to make note of what is presented and follow. It would surely increase meaning and happiness in younger men's lives, plus, increase their life span.
In this book, it begins with several surveys. One is the fact men are basically more unhealthy than women and their life spans are ten years less than women, on an average. Women tend to be more health conscious and go to doctors before symptoms get too severe.
I feel the main, key survey is the shift in priorities as men age. In their twenties, most men tend to hold onto their boyish attitudes and habits. As they age their focus becomes more centered on others, ore than themselves. By the time they reach their fifties, men's focus drastically becomes more centered on enduring relationships.
Behavioral Scientists agree that humans have certain, fundamental emotional needs. How one obtains certain levels of accomplishment, influences one's personal happiness. Therefore, the author has list of thought-provoking questions to assist men in determining what things are significant enough to motivate them to make changes in their lives.
"Habits, Rituals and Routines are common in healthy men". The author elaborates on this in the following chapters.
An optimistic, positive attitudes is a strong motivation. The author lists many ways this can be accomplished, even with unexpected or unwanted life changes.
In this book, the author not only draws from his experiences and wisdom but shares brief stories from various individuals. There are surely, stories each man can relate to.
The book is divided into three sections, with stories in every chapter. There is a summary at the end of each chapter, to reiterate the key steps in accomplishing what is presented there.
This is well organized, well-written and is very motivational and "to the point". I was gifted this book with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review. I offer a Four and a Half stars rating.
Bezich presents a wealth of information on how to adopt healthy behaviors. His book has a balance between the technical information about diet and exercise as well as the psychology of establishing good habits. He draws on academic research but he articulates the advice in a voice that is part personal trainer, part personal confession, and part corporate executive sharing tips for personal productivity.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
True, I am not a man over 50, but I'm married to one, and I work as a gerontologist. I teach university classes on aging, including the Biology of Aging. Bezich provides some great information for people seeking to adopt a healthy lifestyle:
Ch. 1: "The Case for Motivation" Ch. 2: Cracking the Code: Motivation in 50+ Men Ch. 3: My Motivation Ch. 4: Assess Your Current State Ch. 5: Create Your Vision Ch. 6: Build Your Strategy Ch. 7: Create Your Personal Lifestyle Network Ch. 8: Design a Sustainability Plan Ch. 9: Leverage Micromotivators Ch. 10: Diversify Ch. 11: Be Optimistic Ch. 12: Adjust Ch. 13: Be a Hero Ch. 14: The Importance of Women Ch. 15: A New Culture of Men's Health Ch. 16: Epilogue (Also, backmatter: Acknowledgements, References, About the Author, Index)
At 286 pages, I found the information overwhelming, but then I have a good background in the subject matter. And it the language was situated in the traditions of organizational behavior, which isn't a register I have only read in one book (Covey's _Habits of Highly Successful People_ years ago), so it comes off as odd to me. But men who read about productivity at work will probably embrace the language very readily. Some very sound advice for living a long and healthy life.
Crack the Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50 is a good self help book. I thought it gave some great advice for men over the age of fifty. I really it would be good for men under that age, as well. Many men would get a lot from within the pages and will use the strategies to improve their health physically and mentally. Crack the Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50 has fifteen chapters and over two hundred seventy two pages full of advice, inspiration and tips on how to be motivated on how to have better mental and physical health, eating right and staying fit. Each chapter includes exercises / questions that readers can answer to help and inspire them. The fifteen chapters are: 1. The Case for Motivation 2. Cracking the Code: Motivation in 50+ Men 3. My Motivation 4. Assess Your Current State 5. Create Your Vision 6. Build Your Strategy 7. Create Your Personal Lifestyle Network 8. Design a Sustainability Plan 9. Leverage Micromotivators 10. Diversify 11. Be Optimistic 12. Adjust 13. Be a Hero 14. The Importance of Women 15. A New Culture of Men's Health
I am Crack the Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50 four and a half stars. I think it would be a good gift for a husband, father, grandfather, or any other important man in your life.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Crack the Code author Louis Bezich gives men over 50, 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment. In this book, the author digs deep into the statistics and findings about the health and well being of men over 50 years of age. And gives this age group the motivation the need to use these 10 steps and live a healthier and happier life.
This is a well written book, and it is very clear how much the information is researched for this book. The author also interviews many healthy men this age to get their input on how they stay healthy and deal with age. It seen that a lot of what author Louis Bezich found is men who exercise, eat healthy and make healthy choices are able to hit their 50’s with a bang and maintain these 10 secrets found that will keep up their health and well being. The key is to implement these 10 steps with determination and strength as they live their daily lives.
If you are in this age group, or if you are standing at the threshold of your 50 years, this is definitely a book you want to check out. What can it hurt? And you never know, you may find you are already doing a lot if these things, or, you may find a whole new lifestyle that will keep you healthier, make you feel better, and have the happiness you need. I have someone in mind to give this book too. When I was reading through these 10 secrets, I had just the person in mind that would be getting this book. This would make a great gift to someone on your 50’s list!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
While there are various scientific studies of all sorts about men's health, this book is the result of something a bit different. This is the culmination of his work following a group of men who exhibit healthy behaviors and attitudes and self motivate. They have followed their passions and made choices regarding food and activities, including families and life balance, to remain healthy and enjoy life. The author cites the studies but explains the results and findings via stories and anecdotes which demonstrate a model for others to follow to remain motivated to live within more healthful parameters. It talks about internal vs external factors to staying motivated but following your own path, making your own choices and how that helps men not fall off the path. The science is here but this book is about real people and real results.
Mr. Bezich's story was honest and filled with practical examples of not just his lifestyle but of others who were brave enough to share. I liked Mr. Bezich's approach because he built his case from his early life to the current state. This book is for any man or person looking to build a healthy lifestyle and become more mature in living life on purpose. Mr. Bezich made some mistakes personally and professionally but built upon those things to become a better man, Father and husband. His story will change people's minds and lives for the better.
Motivation lifestyle change for the man in your life
This book takes a deep look at men’s health for gentlemen in thei 50’s. As my husband just turned 50 I wanted to see what are in for health wise. I loved how it taught us just how much their loved ones impact the men we love. Deep down it is all about the motivation for them to want to be better for their loved ones. I found it truly motivational to be able to help my husband improve his health not only for children but for himself as well.
I received this book in a good reads giveaway. I came away with a few good ideas to assist my husband in his long term health awareness, however, I don’t think the goal setting motivation will work for my husband although I can see where it work for others.
Crack the Code is unique in that it targets a very specific age group, the men over 50 years old. Armed with rich and insightful information based on comprehensive researches as well as personal experience, Louis Bezich elaborates on various motivations that drive life-long healthy behaviors that, in turn, enrich people's mental and physical health and wellness. Not only is this book quite relevant to people like me within that age bracket, it is also valuable and practical for people who are determined to take control of their healthy and meaningful lives no matter how old and young they are.