Betty Lou Sweeney recently broke a Guinness World Record after holding the abdominal plank for 36 minutes and 58 seconds (related story). Her achievement is obviously incredible, but even more so when you consider her age and previous lifestyle.  This 71 year old woman is lucky to be alive.  Just two years ago, she was severely overweight and almost died of a kidney infection.

Fortunately, Betty refused to give up.  Instead, she took control of her life.  She realized that it is never too late to change.  She’s now lost over 100 pounds and has earned a spot in the record books.

The video below tells her story.  It also documents her initial attempt at breaking the record.  She failed at first but came back stronger to officially break the record in September 2011.

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Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. – Henry Ford