13 years after her Alzheimer’s disease diagnosisCalifornia women are more vibrant than ever – and she set out on a walk across America to showcase the power of healthy aging behaviour.
Dr. Judy Benjamin, now 80 years old, set out on a 3,000-mile journey nationwide on Saturday, April 5th.
For over five months, she will be walking from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida.
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“People wonder why I’m going to get through this,” Benjamin said in an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital the evening before her walk began. “I really want to share it with others.
“Life is here, age is a number, but it doesn’t need to be identified and characterized by that number.”
Thirteen years after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, Judy Benjamin (pictured) embarked on a walk across America to showcase the power of healthy aging behaviour. (Judy Benjamin)
Benjamin was 67 years old. Alzheimer’s disease.
That wasn’t a surprise as she came from a long line of relatives affected by that form of dementia. Her mother was one of 13 children, and when she was diagnosed, there were 63, and nine uncles got it too.
“It was obviously very scary for me,” Benjamin said in an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital the evening before the walk began.
After his mother died, Benjamin was working at a high pressure job at the time – he began to experience symptoms.
“I started to get really worried because I worked abroad and couldn’t remember things, even my phone number or locker combination,” she recalled. “I was always lost when I was really good at direction.”
Benjamin was 67 years old when he first learned about early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. That wasn’t a surprise as she came from a long line of relatives affected by that form of dementia. (Judy Benjamin)
Benjamin also began to struggle to remember his grandson’s name and struggled to read newspaper articles.
“I knew it was going downhill really fast and fast, and I was very I’m feeling depressed and suffering She remembered about that.
“Life is here, age is a number, but it doesn’t need to be identified and characterized by that number.”
Brain scans showed that Benjamin had many amyloid plaques, with some damage to the right side of the brain and to the left parietal.
“I was starting to panic really,” she said.
“It changed my whole lifestyle.”
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“He explained his theory that Alzheimer’s disease is not caused by one thing. It was a lot of different attacks on the brain, which caused inflammation,” she said. “And he said it’s different for everyone. Some people are affected by a few things more than others.”
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Bredesen worked with Benjamin to help reduce inflammation in many steps.
“So I wrote down what he recommended, I went back home and I started implementing it in the letter – I Changed my whole lifestyle,” she shared.
Some of these lifestyle changes involved optimizing her sleep, ensuring healthy indoor air, incorporating meditation to reduce stress and getting started. Exercise routine.
“It’s very important to follow all the instructions to do what you need to do and not casual about it,” Benjamin said of her new healthy lifestyle guidance. (Judy Benjamin)
“I’ve completely changed my diet too,” Benjamin shared. “I stopped drinking diet soda, stopped eating sugar, started eating more whole foods. Natural food – Like vegetables and fruits. ”
“It’s very important to follow all the instructions and not be casual about it, in order to do what you need to do.”
Gradually things started to change, she said.
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“It wasn’t overnight. It wasn’t a magic bullet,” she said. “But one day I realized that I remember my grandson’s name again.”
Benjamin felt forced to help others after seeing firsthand the positive effects of her new lifestyle. She was eventually certified as a national board of directors. Health and Wellness A coach specializing in brain health and neurology.
Judy Benjamin spoke to Fox News Digital about how adopting a healthier lifestyle kept her Alzheimer’s disease at bay. (Judy Benjamin)
Benjamin said he was taking a long walk to prepare for his 3,000-mile walk.
“I don’t think there’s really a way to train with a 3,000-mile walk except for the best possible walks,” she said. “I think walking is the most natural thing humans can do. We were born to walk.”
“You need to be careful to stay hydrated.”
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Benjamin will be taking part in a cross-country walk with the “Great Support Team” and a film crew to collect footage for upcoming documentaries.
“I have an RV with a very comfortable bed, a shower and a cooking facility,” she said. “Whenever possible, stop if there is a nice hotel or motel, but in long and far away, I sleep in an RV.”
“I don’t think there’s really a way to train on a 3,000-mile walk except for walking whenever possible,” Benjamin (not in the photo). “I think walking is the most natural thing humans can do. We were born to walk.” (istock)
She also has a range of long-term care providers, including Apollo Health and Carescouts. Aging Solution.
The goal is to shoot 20 miles per day, depending on the weather and terrain.
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“I’m going to stop one day a week to get my body rest, take a sauna, and just kick back,” she said.
“It’s mostly me as an individual, but I encourage people to come and join me and walk with me.”
Doctors point to evidence of Alzheimer’s disease involving pet scans at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. (Reuters/Brian Snyder/File Photo)
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Today, 80-year-old Benjamin said he felt younger than before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
“I’m very Energetic and healthy -I’m extremely flexible and I have the confidence to stay healthy,” she told Fox News Digital.
That said, she added that life is “like crap.”
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“Everything can happen – I know it very well, but my numbers are all great. My blood work, my bone research, everything is in the best shape I’m not really worried about.
Benjamin hopes her walks will serve as a motivator for others to improve their healthier and more active lifestyles Brain function.
“I want people to see that there are steps you can take to lead a healthier, more vibrant life, no matter your age or circumstances.”
“When I got the diagnosis, I had a choice. It made me define or I could take action,” she said.
“I have steps that people can take to lead healthier, more vibrant lives, no matter your age or circumstances. This walk is to prove that potential.”
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People can follow Benjamin’s journey on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Judywalks.com on YouTube, and @judywalksamerica. on Carescout’s Facebook or LinkedIn page.
