A 76-Year-Old Lady Could Hardly Climb the Stairs Before, and Now She Can Bench Press 80 Pounds

There is a stereotype that says we should make important decisions at a young age, while major changes later in life are definitely not a good idea. Luckily, there are people who prove that age shouldn’t stop you from fulfilling your dreams. And the heroine of our article, Joan MacDonald, is one of them.

Joan was unhappy with her health, and decided to change her life at the age of 70.

In 2016, 70-year-old Joan MacDonald, who lives in Canada, weighed 198 pounds and had to take a lot of medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and painful arthritis. Her doctor told her that she had to either increase the dosage of her medications or drastically change her lifestyle.

Joan with her daughter Michelle in 2015 and 2022

But not only doctors were concerned about Joan’s health. Her daughter Michelle, who works as a fitness trainer, was also worried about her mother’s condition. “I was really huffing and puffing climbing up and down the stairs. My daughter got really, really concerned. She thought that if she wanted me around, she’d better intervene,” MacDonald shared.

Michelle gave her an ultimatum to do something about her life, and Joan, who got sick and tired of being sick and tired, agreed to start working out. Her daughter prepared a special diet and exercise program for her. The first month was the hardest for Joan, but the results were excellent — she lost 10 pounds and felt much better. A year later, Joan could reduce her medications by half.

After years of training, Joan changed beyond recognition.

At 75, Joan achieved phenomenal results — she stopped using medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol, became much stronger, lost 68 pounds, worked out 5 times a week, and could bench press 80 pounds. “Nothing is magical. It’s work, but it’s work that you can enjoy. In the end, you are going to be stronger and healthier, and that’s all that really matters,” MacDonald says.

Joan and Michelle in 2021

Following her daughter’s advice, Joan opened an Instagram page in 2017 to share her achievements. Now MacDonald has 1.7 million followers. Joan also has a YouTube channel and fitness app. With the help of social media, Joan encourages people to make a change in their life — if she was able to become healthier and stronger at 70, then anyone can.

Thanks to working out, Joan also channeled her creativity and wrote a motivational book. In 2022, she got her book Flex Your Age published in which she revealed how to challenge stereotypes and fight for your health.

Joan MacDonald is 76 now. According to her, she could have never imagined in the past that her new life would begin at the age of 70.

Of course, everyone gets to decide for themselves whether they should make changes in their lives. But we are happy for Joan MacDonald who’s set a goal and achieved it with great success.