Judy Wilson can recall her heaviest weight to the tenth decimal place. And she'll never forget how she felt as a result.

At the age of 65, she stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighed 431.2 pounds. Wilson had to use a sleep apnea machine and take two blood pressure meds. Chairs didn't always fit her huge size, and if she wanted to stand, someone had to lift her up. She could only walk with the help of a walker and a cane, and she couldn't put on her own shoes. She lacked vitality.

Wilson claims that her weight began to grow when she had children. When she was going through a difficult phase in her life, she would turn to food, which she compared to an addiction. Her favourite foods were potato chips and candy bars.

“I needed to perceive food in a new perspective. Some individuals seek solace in eating, which is exactly what I was doing. Wilson, who lives in Monroe, Louisiana, told TODAY that "sometimes you don't even realise you're consuming all that junk."

“Enough was enough, so I made the decision to take action. I'm a praying person, so I prayed about it.”

Weight-loss companies cash in as Americans try to drop pandemic pounds

Wilson began her weight-loss goal by enrolling in a local 21-day eating programme called "Queendom Bootcamp." It taught her basic nutrition and how to stop using food as a means of celebration, she said.

Wilson added regular exercise to the mix as she assimilated the teachings into her daily life and her weight began to plummet.

She lost 200 pounds in less than four years, dropping to 229 pounds. She's managed to stay within ten pounds of her goal.

Wilson no longer needed blood pressure medication, didn't need to use a sleep apnea machine, and her cane and walker were a thing of the past when she turned 70 last month.

“You're never too old to learn something new. There is no such thing as being too huge. It's never too late to start. As long as you have breath in your lungs and are willing... If I can accomplish it, believe me when I say that you can too,” she remarked.

CHECK OUT OUR #1 MOST RECOMMENDED WEIGHT LOSS SOLUTIONS

Here’s how Wilson lost the weight:

Wilson does not track calories, but she does have three scales in her kitchen and weighs her meals carefully to be able to estimate quantities. A serving of fish, poultry, or other meat should never exceed 3 ounces. The cup is used to measure vegetables. To prevent heaping on too much, she uses salad plates instead of ordinary plates.

“Food is healthy for you, but too much of it is bad for you,” she explained.

Wilson consumes three meals and two snacks every day. A cup of cereal with almond milk for breakfast is an option. Wilson's lunch will consist of meat and a cup of vegetables. Dinner will consist of two veggies and meat. Fresh fruit is commonly served as a snack.

Wilson dislikes white rice, bread, and potatoes, but will eat brown rice or a baked sweet potato on occasion.

Wilson only eats things that have been baked, broiled, or grilled. She doesn't eat anything fried. “You may eat the appropriate foods, wonderful foods, but you can eat them incorrectly. She explained, "Chicken is nice, but dipping it in fat and frying it all up isn't appropriate."

Wilson also avoids processed foods in favour of fresh or frozen whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Wilson explained, "It starts with your thoughts." “Do not use food as a crutch or as a means of celebration. You can pamper yourself with a pedicure. You are not required to go pig out.”

Wilson enjoys dessert on occasion, but she tries to avoid sweets since she is aware of her own eating habits and understands that a taste could lead to binge eating. “As soon as you decide you want to lose weight, someone will offer to take you out to eat or bake you a cake. You must, however, say "No." “I prefer to live rather than die,” she suggested.

When she gets a craving for potato chips, she treats herself to a little personal-size bag to keep the portion under control.

Wilson makes it a point to go to the gym six or seven days a week. She began going after shedding the first 100 pounds and undergoing knee surgery.

Her cardio workouts last 45 minutes to an hour and include the following: She uses a treadmill or elliptical equipment to warm up before riding a stationary bike.

She doesn't always feel like going to the gym, but she reminds herself that it's for her own good: "I'm living my best life right now." She stated, "I have energy like I've never had before." “I've travelled too far to turn back now.”

She also enjoys the feeling she gets after working out. Despite this, Wilson attributes 80 per cent of her weight loss to food and warns that improper eating cannot be out-exercised. She cautioned against putting it in your mouth in the first place.

Wilson stated that you are in charge of what and how much you eat.

“I have no excuse for my weight of 430 pounds. “I did it to myself,” she explained.

“I want to live rather than perish... (Right now) I'm in a terrific mood. I'm grateful that I was given the chance to reduce weight and keep it off. I'm filled with the gladness of the Lord. “I'm content with everything.”

CHECK OUT OUR #1 MOST RECOMMENDED WEIGHT LOSS SOLUTIONS