WTJ's goals

Today I took my mom to the gym for her first step aerobics class. I know that step can be SO intimidating if you don't know what you're doing, but I went for it. We are going all the way with this! She said she enjoyed it, but wished she were in better shape so she could do all the steps. Well, wish granted! That's going to be number 1 on the goals, here are the rest she wants to accomplish:

1. Get into shape!!
2. Be at least 2 sizes smaller
3. To feel better about herself, like the way she looks and feels
4. Be able to bike 10 miles (I say we can get up to at least 20!)

Longer term goals
1. Be able to dance
2. Not feel embarrassed about herself
3. Be able to bend over and tie her shoe
4. Be able to run
5. Feel comfortable having picture taken

The Judster

My Beautiful mom at Half Moon Bay

The RuLeS!

I sent my mom a list of the rules, expectations, guidelines, etc... I didn't know how it would go over, but she said she is looking forward to being mothered for a month. I was comparing it more to a prison sentence.. But mothering is probably a better way to think about it.

1. All meals will be prepared by Rachel or Lo for 28 days, this includes snacks, you're unable to eat anything we haven't prepared or approved of

2. Under NO circumstances will there be ANY eating out, UNLESS Rachel or Lo take you and ORDER for you

3. Diet coke may be consumed twice a day, each can will be clearly marked, M, T, W, TR, F, SA, SUN, if you drink all 14 in one day... That's it.. 

4. Exercise shall occur spontaneously throughout the day, but plan on at LEAST 2 hrs each day, except Sundays

5. Computer time will be limited to one hour, broken into 2 half hour segments, each day. This will include checking emails, facebook, or watching TV. Additionally time may be allotted if there is a planned movie. 

6. 1-3 hrs each day (excluding Sundays) will be spent on cleaning out the house/sheds. This includes, but is not limited to, organizing photos, taking things to goodwill, organizing clutter, and general cleaning

7. NO one is ALLOWED to bring you food!! No friends, no family, no neighbors, NO ONE. Unless prior approval is given by Rachel or Lo

8. Early to bed, early to rise. There will be no staying up all night and sleeping in all day. Bed time is 10 pm, breakfast will be at 7 am or earlier. 

9. Everyone is expected to help clean up all meal messes

10. If you can last 28 days, a $$ prize of sorts shall be yours! 

The China Study

The whole idea for this transformation came from the book, The China Study, which promotes healthy living by adhering to a strict vegan diet. Most people think a vegan diet is unsustainable, that people who don't eat "meat" are weak, and those who don't drink milk are susceptible to osteoporosis. We are taught that eating meat is "healthy". After all there is NO WAY we can get all our vitamins and nutrients from plants! Right? Dr. T. Colin Campbell believed all those myths when he first embarked on his scientific career, but a lifetime of research led him to believe that animal protein (i.e. meats, dairy, eggs, etc) were highly related to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, strokes, Alzheimers, and arthritis. So... Dr. Campbell's research claims that everything we've been taught to eat, is actually what's killing us? I know it sounds hard to believe, but the research is so compelling it's hard to ignore. I am not claiming to be perfect. I have been living a mostly vegetarian diet for years, and trying to go vegan. It is not an easy thing to do. Even with all of Dr. Campbell's knowledge it's difficult to change a lifetime of eating habits. My mom is not going to be the only person being experimented on this summer, this is going to be an experiment for myself as well (and perhaps my sister Lo, if she can handle it!). I am compelled to at least try after seeing all the benefits that can come from eating the right foods (Dr. Campbell's list)
1. Live longer- woo hoo! Who wouldn't want that?
2. Look and feel younger- Again woo hoo.... Both a plus
3. Have more energy- This is something I am SO looking forward too! I hate feeling drained at 3pm
4. Lose weight- We all want to
5. Lower you blood cholesterol- This is something my mom needs
6. Prevent and even reverse heart disease- Reverse??? Yes, it's all in the book
7. Lower your risk of prostate, breast, and other cancers
8. Preserve your eyesight in your later years
9. Prevent and treat diabetes- This is something that could help SO many people
10. Avoid surgery in many instances
11. Vastly decrease the need for pharmaceutical drugs
12. Keep your bones strong-With out milk!! Yes, it's possible
13. Avoid stroke
14. Avoid impotence
15. Prevent kidney stones
16. Keep your baby from getting type 1 diabetes
17. Alleviate constipation
18. Lower your blood pressure
19. Avoid Alzheimer's
20. Beat Arthritis

20 ways this experiment could change my mom's life. Obviously all these amazing results won't happen overnight. You can't takes a lifetime of bad habits and reverse them so easily, but I am hoping that my mom sees enough results to continue this journey on her own/

What to expect...

I'm sure my mom would like to know just what she is in for this summer.. I am still trying to figure everything out, but she will for SURE be on a new meal plan. She is worried that she won't "be able to eat anything!". This is not going to be torture (although that would be fun too..) I am going to have a wide variety of food options. Lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and even some "healthier" treat options. I am going to be in charge of all 3 of her meals everyday, including all snacks, and beverages. I also want (hope) to have a work out program going on as well. 6 days a week of cardio, strength training, maybe some yoga. I would like to help her get her entire house in order. Going through everything, organizing, getting rid of things that aren't needed. Limiting TV time, and computer time. This is a lifestyle change. It might be a big shock, but I am hoping that we (I need to make it through this too!) can last for 28 days!

Wow!

My mom (Judy,) came out to visit, she told me that she lost 16 lbs on weight watchers (which is GREAT!), she kept talking about how she was trying to eat healthy.. So I decided to jump the gun and ask her if she wanted to participate in my experiment (rather than springing it on her the day before). Surprisingly she said "YES". Now I feel that there is a lot of pressure on me to really make this work! I can't get my expectations too high, but any results will be fabulous.
I told her that I was curious to see how mental health could be affected by diet. She explained that when she was in high school she ran a lot, but was still depressed. I know back then she wasn't eating the best diet (borderline starving herself) so perhaps if she eats the right diet and exercises we will see different results. I can't wait to find out!

Getting Started

The last 3 yrs of my life I have been eating a pescartarian diet for. My reasoning for changing my diet was more for the benefit of weight loss (I ate A LOT of fast food) and I read some pro-vegetarian literature for a class while attending the University of Utah. I reached the conclusion that I was eating WAY too much meat, and why? I didn't even really care for it! It was just convenient and I wasn't much of a cook (I wasn't much of an eater back then either! Somewhat picky about food still). The first month was the absolute hardest. Everyday I remember thinking "What am I suppose to eat??". I honestly don't know how I survived (I still wasn't cooking!) but I managed to lose 10 lbs. Which was great, but the greatest part was the continuance of my pescartarian diet! It changed my life! I know that sounds cliche, but suddenly I wasn't eating at McDonalds, and Burger King everyday. I was forced to "find" foods I could eat. Now I have numerous cook books that cater the vegetarian and vegan diet. I love to bake and I have an extensive collection of vegan recipes that are delicious (who knew it was possible to live with out butter?). My life has become an eating adventure, I have experienced SO many new foods that I wouldn't have touched 3 years ago. I have always been a foodie, but now I feel that I am a somewhat "healthy" foodie. Conscious of my health for the first time ever in my life.
Whew... There's the little background of my story, but the real star here is Judy (she doesn't know it yet!). I love my mom, and I want her to be happy. She has struggled with her weight for as long as I can remember. She says that she's "addicted" to food (who isn't!) and she can't seem to control what she eats or how much she eats. I know she tries to lose weight constantly. She has done Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Alli pills, etc. She has been successful before. When I was in Junior high she started swimming. She was so diligent, going almost everyday, and she lost a lot of weight. When my parents divorced 12 years ago she slimmed down even more. She started borrowing my shirts!! She was so tiny, but after her second marriage and second divorce, she just couldn't keep the weight off. It was really hard to watch her pack up all her "skinny" clothes and put them under the staircase (where they still are today). This isn't just about weight loss, my mother also suffers from depression (hopefully she won't kill me for divulging this!), my goal, and hope is that she can change her whole life by eating better and exercising (the mind and body!) in 28 days.
Wow! That seems like a lot to accomplish huh! Almost impossible, but diet is such an intricate part of our overall health that making substantial changes will effect not only our physical health but our mental health as well. 
This experiment won't begin until July 5tht, I am so nervous and excited!