We document the effect that a 18-day residential medical lifestyle program has on fitness using metabolic equivalent (MetS), which correlate to exercise capacity, to report it.

The medical program took place in Weimar, California. From n=2079 patients that completed the 18-day program n=80 had the starting diagnosis of depression and had completed a before and after stress test following the Bruce protocol. IRB was approved by Andrew's university.

The program included 2 daily buffet-like whole food plant-based meals with no snacks, 2 to 3 times a day sessions of exercise (aerobic and anaerobic), massage, hydrotherapy, medical and chaplaincy interventions. The program can be summarized in the word NEWSTART: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, proper Sunlight exposure, fresh Air, Rest and Trust (relational, spiritual, and psychological aspects). Board certified physicians monitored patient progress. Nutritionist, exercise physiologist, psychological, and chaplaincy care is also provided.

The maximum MetS during the baseline stress test had a mean 7.9, SD 2.5, min 3.8, max 16, median 7.5. The maximum MetS during the stress test at the end was 9.6, SD 2.8, min 4, max 16, median 10. Paired t-test reported significant change t(79)=-9 p<.001 for the MetS. At baseline the patients reported walking, in miles, per day a mean of .6, SD .9, median 0. At the end of the intervention these patients were walking in miles a mean 3.9, SD 2, median 4. Average weight in pounds at baseline was 178, SD 64.5 and end mean weight was 173.1, SD 60.