Nearly ten years ago, Joan MacDonald faced health problems and relied on medication to manage them. Now, at almost 80, she is stronger than ever and shares five key lessons that helped her turn things around.
At 70, Joan struggled with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acid reflux. She assumed these issues were a natural part of aging. However, her daughter, Michelle, a fitness coach, saw things differently. During a visit in 2016, Michelle noticed that Joan was out of breath just from climbing stairs. Concerned about her mother’s future, she urged her to take control of her health.
Joan had been somewhat active in the past, but frequent falls and a knee replacement made movement difficult. Although she had watched Michelle train others, she had never considered working out herself. But after her daughter’s encouragement, she decided to make a change.
In January 2017, Joan joined a transformation group led by Michelle. She started with simple workouts, following printed exercise guides before switching to online videos. Despite early struggles, she remained committed. By late 2018, she had stopped taking medication, joined a gym, and started seeing real progress.
At first, she felt self-conscious about exercising in public, but she soon realized that most people were focused on their own workouts. Over time, she gained confidence and strength. By 2022, she had lost 60 pounds and could bench press 80 pounds.
Now, with over two million Instagram followers, Joan challenges common beliefs about aging. She believes people don’t have to accept health decline as inevitable. She encourages others to take charge and focus on small, consistent efforts.
Joan credits her success to five key habits: eating enough protein, having a balanced diet, strength training regularly, surrounding herself with positivity, and continuing to learn. She believes these habits can help anyone improve their health, no matter their age.
Her story is proof that it’s never too late to make a change. With discipline and the right mindset, anyone can take control of their health and well-being.
