“The journey is not easy, but every small step forward will give your health back to you and a life worth living.”

Joan Macdonald eating lunch

Hi, my name is Joan MacDonald, and I am 76 years old. Six years ago, I was 5 ft 3 in, 198 lb, and had a 39-in waist. I was on medication for high blood pressure and acid reflux. I had terrible edema in my ankles, my arthritis was excruciating, and I had difficulty walking up and down stairs. I was tired, emotional, and in very poor health. Does any of this sound familiar to you? My daughter Michelle, who works in fitness, came to me on the verge of tears. She said I had to make some choices, because if I continued on my path, I would end up even worse off and probably on more medication. She offered me the opportunity to work with her and take part in an online group with other women who wanted to change old unhealthy habits and take better care of themselves.

I did not know how arduous this journey would be, and I was often in tears over the technology, but I never gave up. I kept telling myself, “I don’t mind if the changes are slow; I will go at my pace, but this time, the changes will last the rest of my life.” The first part of the program required us to prepare an image collage of our starting point. It is human nature, especially on a long journey, to wonder if we are on the right track. But as the months rolled by, with Michelle’s health guidance, we were all changing. The weight and the inches were coming off! My confidence was growing, and we were all cheering each other on.​

Fast forward six years into my journey, and I can honestly say I am a different woman than when I started. I feel healthy, strong, and fit, and I understand the importance of macros (short for macronutrients) to create balanced meals. Three categories of nutrients provide the body with energy: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. So, when you count macros, you are measuring the grams of protein, carbs, or fats you consume. When making dietary changes or trying to lose weight, many people struggle. But understanding the ideal ratio of macros your body needs will help you lose weight, build lean muscle, and keep you satisfied. I can also move around confidently in the gym and understand the importance of resistance training to build lean muscle. At the gym, I love connecting with other women and men who choose to live healthier lifestyles. I’ve found that this new way of living has allowed me to meet and encourage many others to do the same, especially considering my age, how overweight I was, and how far I’ve come.

“Understanding the ideal ratio of macros your body needs will help you lose weight, build lean muscle, and keep you satisfied.”

If you’re ready and want to make positive health changes, I will tell you it is not an easy journey, but every small step forward will give your health back to you and a life worth living. Never think I can’t do this at my age or that I have too much weight to lose to change my life. My story will give you the confidence and assurance that you can change, because if I can do it at 70 years old, you absolutely can, too!  

Follow Joan on Instagram
@trainwithjoan or visit her website
trainwithjoanofficial.com

Flex Your Age – Available on Amazon December 2022.