a taylor swift concert Lori proved to be the turning point for Jerisha.
The 47-year-old mother of two was in Chicago to see the pop star perform last summer and recalls, “When I was walking from the parking lot to the stadium and going up the stairs I needed a break . I got so tired of asking [my daughter] Wait for me.”
Due to a combination of a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits, Jerisha’s weight continued to increase, reaching 210 pounds in 2023.
“I knew I needed to make a radical lifestyle change,” he said. TODAY.com This week.
In addition to feeling physically limited and dissatisfied with her appearance, Jerisha suffered from high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Her weight led to acid reflux and sleep apnea, which later required a cpap machine,
Earlier in her nursing career, Jerisha was active, but 12 years ago, she transitioned to a work-from-home position for an insurance company, “I went from walking around to sitting in front of a computer, typing and maintaining digital electronic records. “Started using.”
Admittedly, Jerisha never liked working out. “I’ve definitely tried to exercise in the past, but I didn’t like breaking a sweat or going to the gym and sitting still and doing nothing,” she told TODAY.com. “I can’t swim, so he was outside. I don’t like lifting weights. I don’t like running, but I always enjoyed walking. I never really took the time to do it for myself.”
Faced with an empty nest last fall, Jerisha finally decided to take time for herself.
The final effort and challenging step towards better health came from her husband Tony, who told her she could not lose weight by walkingHe told her, “Look at me.”
In less than a year she has lost 58 pounds.
“I just walked around the block. Now I go two to six times a week, up to 3 miles. I make a playlist, I put in an earbud so I can still hear what’s behind me, and I go,” she said on TODAY.com.
Her husband has now converted to power walking, joining Jerisha on some of her walks and losing 25 pounds himself.
As The Post first reportedcan take daily walk Aids digestion, boosts mood, reduce the risk of heart diseaseReduces blood pressure and cholesterol and strengthens the heart.
Recent research found Walking 5,000 steps three times a week for two years could increase a person’s life expectancy by three years and reduce their health care costs by 13%.
In addition to her walking workouts, Jerisha has also changed when, how and what she eats. With the help of calorie-counting apps, mynetdiary, she can Track how food affects his goals.
His method is scientifically supported. A study published last year in the Journal of the American Heart Association found Counting calories is the most effective way to lose unwanted weight.
In addition to tracking calories, Jerisha also cut down on dairy products and restaurant dinners and opted for home-cooked vegetarian meals.
“I made little changes that piled up and it worked out really well,” he claimed to TODAY.com.
Jerisha is proud of her body and is thrilled to shop for new clothes to complement it, “I don’t have to shop in the plus section anymore, and have fun buying dresses, skirts, and dresses that Shows my arms. I can shop at the same stores as my daughter.”
Still, she says the physical effects of her weight loss are the most beneficial: “My energy has increased. I can climb stairs without getting out of breath and carrying laundry baskets is no problem.”
While her energy has increased, her cholesterol and blood pressure have decreased, and she no longer requires medication for acid reflux. His new goal is to be free from his CPAP machine.
Among his other ambitions? Complete a 1 mile jog. “I could never accomplish it, even as a kid when we had to do it in PE class. It keeps me motivated,” she shared with TODAY.com. “I look at what I have done, what I did today and what I am going to do tomorrow. And before I even notice, I’m here.”
