Today we talk with Scott Leak of Redding. Many of you will recognize his name as a talented north state photographer. But this conversation has to do with his physical transformation; what he’s doing and why.
Q: Hey, Scott, thanks for sharing your journey with us on aNewsCafe.com. I know you are renowned for your photography.
Before we get to the subject of this column, can you tell readers a bit about you?
I grew up in the North State living in Red Bluff, Redding, and Cottonwood until joining the USAF in 1984. Graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S.
Q: Thanks, Scott. As a little background, I spotted some of your posts on Facebook about your dietary change, and was inspired. What was your inspiration?
My size and health have been bothering me. I had given up a 10-can diet soda addiction and it was easy, so I thought why stop there.
I ended up watching a film called “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead”. Two guys on there went on 60-day juice fasts and came out the other end without the medications they had taken before and in wonderful shape.
That led me to watch another film the same night, “Forks Over Knives” ….wow, it is a game-changer and highly recommended.
I stayed up all night that night, (Feb 2, 2014) when I realized that not only could I lose weight, but I could reverse much of the damage I had done to my body over the years.
Q: If you’re like me, you’ve tried other means of weight loss. What did you consider, and what did you ultimately choose?
I have tried everything under the sun, save one, and every single time I have gained back the weight, plus 10-20 lbs.
What I have found is that we as humans are herbivores and should be eating a plant-based diet. Things like heart disease, most cancers, and about every autoimmune disease can be stopped and reversed with a plant based diet. How easy it that?
Q: So you’ve turned to juicing. What’s your system?
I did 100% juice only for the first 15 days, and then added some steamed broccoli and brussel sprouts.
At about 21 days I started having some smoothies with whole fruit blended in, but my main source of nutrients is my juice.
Q: Do you have favorite recipes?
Apple, carrot, celery, lemon, kale, baby spinach, baby chard, parsley, ginger —Â that is my daily mainstay, give or take.Â
Q: OK, this is the part that shocked me. How much have you lost?
Today is day 25 and I have lost 27 lbs, but more than that is the inches! I have not measured, but I am shrinking.
Q: Congratulations! I have to ask, how long can you see yourself on this juicing fast?
I will continue this pace thru 30 days – and maybe 60. Juicing for all your nutrition can be expensive. I will juice for life, it is amazing stuff, and I am never hungry! Cravings for favorite foods stuck around for almost a week, but hunger is not an issue.
We went to Red Robin the third day I started this. It was my daughter’s birthday. I had ice water with lemon slices. I will be able to order food again once I am done ‘fasting.’
This photo is from my typical juicing session. That will make about 60 oz of juice. I typically drink two of those per day, and one fruit smoothie. I also have some avocado and almond butter now. Nothing super solid.
Q: Is it OK if we check in with you from time to time to check on your progress? And in the meantime, would you mind sharing your website so we can check out your photography? Thanks, Scott, and the best of luck to you!
I would love to share my progress and will include some photos at some point. My photo page on Face Book is:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sleakphotography/185997498101706 Thank you Doni!
Independent online journalist Doni Chamberlain founded what’s now known as anewscafe.com in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke of the Czech Republic. Prior to 2007 Chamberlain was an award-winning newspaper opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She lives in Redding, CA.
