Brad Jones is known to many as the co-owner of a beloved local bookstore, an involved community member and familiar face in downtown Morgan Hill.
But he’s turning a new page, and hopes his journey to get in shape will inspire others to join in by signing up for a new Fit Club program starting Nov. 5.
“Weight loss has been something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time just for my own health reasons,” said the 57-year-old president of the Downtown Association. “Literally, for the last 20 years, I have gained 10 pounds every year.”
At 400-plus pounds, the 5-foot-10-inch Jones, who runs BookSmart on Second Street with his wife of 19 years, Cinda Meister, has set a goal to shed 200 pounds.
“As you get older, you really start to feel the weight,” said the long-time Morgan Hill resident. “Your joints ache. You don’t have the same kind of energy.”
Jones has tried other diet and exercise programs in the past, but the weight always creeped back.
He’s not alone, as 55 percent of adults living in Santa Clara County are categorized as overweight or obese, according to a 2012 report published by the Public Health Department.
In Gilroy, that rate climbs above that of the county’s to 68 percent. Results were not published in that study for Morgan Hill.
This time, however, Jones hopes to stay in shape for good by trying a new method and getting the community behind him.
The plan is to follow a new regimen called the “12-Week Bod-é Challenge,” in addition to hosting weekly support group workshops Wednesdays at noon and 6:30 p.m. led by local fitness coach Tracee Gluhaich. The workshops are $10 per week and include food samples, recipes and weekly giveaways.
“We want him to inspire people,” said the Mt. Madonna YMCA fitness instructor who has run several wellness classes out of BookSmart over the years.
As for the diet that Jones is following, he welcomes anyone else who wants to sign up for the program to stop by his bookstore and get on the bandwagon. Designed by Chris Powell, the trainer and transformation specialist on ABC’s “Extreme Weight Loss” reality TV show, Jones picked the program after being introduced to it by Gluhaich, a member of the Chris Powell team within the Vemma Nutrition Company. Jones also found Powell’s book in the nutrition section of his bookstore and did some research before making the commitment to the program.
“For me, I looked at it and said, ‘that really fits my lifestyle,’” said Jones, who got a jump-start on the program before it kicks off locally and has already dropped 10 pounds in the last two weeks. “I started it on my own just to see if I can stick with the program and so far I have been able to.”
A key component of the diet is a meal replacement drink, or smoothie, “that is basically like a milkshake that you have first thing in the morning when you get up,” Jones explained. The remainder of the diet includes “lots of greens” with a low amount of carbohydrates.
Gluhaich explained that the Vemma shake, which was developed by Powell and his wife, Heidi, is a formula comprised of 16 grams of protein – which includes brown rice, peas and whey – and seven grams of fiber as well as a combination of essential vitamins and minerals, green tea and antioxidants. Participants in the challenge must follow a weekly carb schedule that fluctuates daily and also exercise for 30 to 60 minutes per day. Jones said he has started walking as often as he can, working it around his schedule at the bookstore.
“The reason it’s so effective is that you are not leaving out any food groups and you are constantly tricking your metabolism,” said Gluhaich.
According to Jodi Djurman, a Registered Dietician with practices in Morgan Hill and Mountain View, “we never stop needing good fuel for the system,” so following a routine that includes a heavy dose of fruits and vegetables along with regular exercise is “vital.” She, too, believes diets need to be individualized to be more effective, moving the patient “one step at a time to their goal.”
“It’s never too late to do strength training or make dietary changes for the better,” she continued, noting that support groups, such as the new Fit Club at BookSmart, can be beneficial for certain individuals. “Some people love group support and other people are too private.”
Brad and Cinda are also taking steps to eliminate snack temptations.
BookSmart’s cafe, which sells hotdogs and ice cream and boasts a large candy section, will now stock the Vemma meal replacement shakes in chocolate or vanilla flavors for customers at $4.99, as well as offer a healthy meal option for lunch. The new product line will be available Nov. 1.
“Our idea is to provide a place where people can get a little bit of support and have access to somebody who is trained in the program,” Jones said. “If I steadily lost three or four pounds a week, I would be a really happy camper. And why not see if not only I can lose weight, but maybe help some other people, too.”
