At 70, She Transformed Her Body—Here Are Her 5 Must-Know Fitness Tips!
Nearly ten years ago, Joan MacDonald was facing serious health problems and was told she would need medication for the rest of her life. But she made a big decision that changed everything. Now, as she nears 80, she is healthier and stronger than ever, inspiring millions with five key tips for a better life.
At 70 years old, Joan was in a situation many older adults can relate to—dealing with health issues and relying on medicine to stay stable.
Living in Ontario, Canada, she thought high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acid reflux were just part of aging. But her daughter, Michelle, saw things differently.
One day, just before Christmas in 2016, Michelle saw that her mother was struggling to climb the stairs. “I was really huffing and puffing climbing up and down the stairs,” Joan remembered.
Michelle, a fitness coach, was deeply concerned and decided to tell her mother the truth. “You don’t have to get old like everyone else does,” she told Joan. Those words stuck with her.
Joan had been slightly active, going bowling sometimes, but frequent falls and a knee replacement in 2014 made moving harder.
Even though she had watched Michelle train and compete in fitness events, she had never thought about exercising seriously.
But in that moment, Joan knew she had to make a change. Seeing her own mother struggle with similar health issues made her realize she didn’t want to go down the same path.
“My daughter got really, really concerned. She thought that if she wanted me around, she’d better intervene,” Joan said. So, in January 2017, just a few weeks after that conversation, she joined a fitness group led by Michelle.
Most of the women in the group were much younger, but Joan was determined. She started by following her daughter’s workout plans, first using printed exercise guides, then upgrading to an iPad to watch online videos.
“My acid reflux was horrible. I was choking all the time. I felt just awful,” Joan admitted. “I could have stopped right then, but I didn’t. I wanted something better.”
Her commitment paid off. By October 2018, she was off all her medications. She had also joined a local gym and was getting compliments on how strong and fit she looked.
At first, she was nervous about working out at the gym, but she quickly realized that nobody was paying attention to her.
“I think a lot of people don’t want to start because they’re afraid they’re going to be under the microscope,” Joan said. “But, truly, everyone is too worried about their own agenda.”
Her hard work paid off, improving not just her strength but also her overall health. By 2022, at nearly 76 years old, she had lost 60 pounds and could bench press 80 pounds.
Now, as she approaches 80, Joan proves that it’s never too late to take control of your health. She receives daily messages from people who say they follow her journey for inspiration.
With over two million Instagram followers, Joan, who turns 79 in March, has become a role model for breaking aging stereotypes.
“We’ve been conditioned to accept that life after 40 means gaining weight and falling apart. But that’s not true. That’s definitely not true,” she said.
Unlike younger fitness influencers, Joan doesn’t worry about comparisons or trends. “You can’t compare yourself to somebody else. You’re unique. As long as you’re giving your best, it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing,” she shared.
For Joan, her journey isn’t just about personal change—it’s about inspiring others to take control of their lives.
“We all seem to think the same thing—fitness changed us,” she said. “We may go about it in different ways, but the goal is still the same—help people take back control of their health.”
### Joan’s Five Keys to a Healthier Life
Joan credits her success to five main principles that she believes can help anyone, no matter their age. The first is eating more protein.
“Eat at least 1g of protein per pound of your ideal body weight. The older we get, the more we need, not less,” she explained.
Her second tip is to eat a diet full of healthy foods. “Pick vegetables in all colors of the rainbow. Include healthy fats like cheese, nuts, and avocado, plus quality starches like sweet potatoes and rolled oats,” she shared.
The third tip is strength training. “Even just three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes can do wonders for bringing back your reflexes, strength, and tone. Weight training is one of the best ways to fight muscle loss and poor posture that come with aging,” Joan advised.
The fourth tip is about happiness. “Surround yourself with people who help you grow. Do things that bring you joy. You are the only one who can make yourself happy,” she said.
Finally, tip number five—keep learning. “Have a growth mindset. Chase things that expand your mind and challenge your thinking,” she encouraged.
One person commented, “Great advice. You are an inspiration!” Another said, “Such great tips! Thanks!” A third added, “I love your muscle tone!”
Joan’s story proves that age is not a limitation—it’s an opportunity to grow. Through discipline, proper nutrition, and strength training, she took back her health and inspired millions.
For those who love transformation stories, Joan’s journey isn’t the only one making headlines. Reality star Casey King shocked social media after losing 600 pounds, leaving people amazed at his incredible progress.
