This Senior Citizen Lost 120 Pounds Walking Around Her 1 Bedroom Apartment

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By Mayukh Saha / Truth Theory

All it takes to get any kind of job done is determination. If you have a goal then all you need to do is keep your eyes set on it. Despite all the difficulties that will come your way, you have to buckle down and work for it. Age doesn’t matter.

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It's never too late to turn your life around. Here's proof. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For Jessica Slaughter, the struggle with her weight started when she was in elementary school. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ "Even as a kid in Mississippi, I was always the fattest kid in the class. I got teased a lot," Slaughter told KSDK. "I didn't know how to stop eating. Fried chicken. Bacon and eggs. Desserts, like cakes and pies." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ However, in her seventies, she opted for a healthier lifestyle and became a vegan. In addition to changing her diet, Slaughter committed to exercising every morning – and she didn't have to leave her St. Louis apartment to do it. The now 86-year-old walks daily from her living room to kitchen, 3,000 steps to be exact. This helped her to lose 120 pounds. Yes, you read it right…120 pounds. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ "I went to my doctor for a checkup. He told me my health was better than his," Slaughter said. "I was a borderline diabetic. I'm free of all that, and I know it came from my way that I eat and exercise." By recommendation of her granddaughter, Slaughter uses a Fitbit to count her steps. She hopes her fitness journey will inspire other seniors to get into shape (it's already inspired us). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ "I just want seniors to know just because we've gotten a certain age, we don't have to stop living," Slaughter explained. "I want to tell them that there’s a better way of life if they choose." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Keep inspiring and living your best life Ms. Slaughter! #wednesdaymotivation #becauseofthemwecan

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Jessica Slaughter could be the inspiration we are all looking for. She struggled with weight her whole life. She wanted to do something about it but she continuously struggled to manage her body’s cravings, and that made it very difficult for her to reach her goal. In an interview with KSDK, she revealed that when she was a school kid in Mississippi, she was teased by everyone as the fattest child in the class. But she was unable to stop herself from eating. Bacon and eggs, fried chicken, cakes, and other desserts – everything seemed to tempt her. It almost seemed impossible for her.

The Medical Diagnosis

It was her medical diagnosis which acted as the impetus for her to make a change in her life. The doctors found out that she was pre-diabetic. Her obesity and unhealthy food intake were contributing to this. She had to take some action towards her health and she had to do it fast.

After the news, Jessica started to asking around to find solutions to cut down on food and start leading a healthy life. One of her friends suggested that she should start a vegan diet. Less meat may lead to less fat accumulation. While the diet was a good choice, it was not enough. For any proper weight loss, your body needs to be physically active. A combination of diet, exercise, and proper sleep is necessary to make sure that you lose weight. That’s why it is called a healthy lifestyle.

Jessica knew about it and so, she thought of a new way of exercising. Many people go out to enjoy a walk in the sun. But Jessica transformed her own apartment into a park. The 86-year-old walks from her kitchen to her living room every day repeatedly. She started back when she was in her 70s and she was determined to lower her weight. Well, her consistency did the work. She lost 120 pounds and is feeling a lot better now.

Her grand-daughter supported her all the way. She told her to get a Fitbit so that she could track her steps. Turns out that she can walk up to 3000 steps per day! It’s quite amazing. When she went to the doctor for a check-up, the doctor was astounded. He claimed that her health was a lot better than his.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a brisk walk can help maintain a healthy weight, manage heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and strengthen your bones and muscles.

The clinic suggests people aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, and at least 60 for more health benefits.

“It’s OK to start slowly – especially if you haven’t been exercising regularly,” the clinic says on its website. “You might start with five minutes a day the first week, and then increase your time by five minutes each week until you reach at least 30 minutes.”

Slaughter wants her story to stand out as an inspiration for all the senior people out there. Despite their age, they could still live on and pursue what they want. All they need is the drive to do it. Choose a better lifestyle and start living healthily– that’s her motto.

Image Credit:  Jessica Slaughter

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