Hi, my name is Joan MacDonald, and I am 75 years old. 5 years ago I was 5'3'', 198lbs, and I had a 39" waist. I was on medication for high blood pressure and acid reflux, I had terrible edema in my ankles, my arthritis was extremely painful, and I had difficulty walking up and down stairs. I was tired, I was emotional, and I was in desperate need of a change. Does any of this sound familiar to you? My daughter Michelle came to me on the verge of tears. She said that I had to make a choice. She said if I continued on the path I was on I would end up even worse off, and probably on even more medication. She offered me the opportunity to work with her that winter. I would be participating in an online group with other women who were all working to change habits and take the best possible care of themselves.  

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So with the support and guidance of Michelle and the team of women I made a massive 180.  I learned how to use an i-phone for the first time in my life.  I renewed my gym membership, bought a food scale, a measurement tape, and got to work.  It was incredibly hard work, let me tell you, and there were many days were I was in tears over technology but I never threw in the towel.  However, I stuck to my guns and never gave up. My motto was, "I don't mind if my changes are slow. I am going to go at my own pace and this time the changes are going to last the rest of my life.'' I really meant it.  Part of the program I was doing required that each of us prepare a collage comparing our starting point to where we currently were. I think it is human nature especially on a long journey to wonder if we are on the right track or not. But as the months rolled by I could see that we were all changing. The weight and the inches were coming off! My confidence in the gym was growing. We were all cheering each other on. 

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I'm now five years into my journey and I can honestly say that I am a different woman than I was when I started out. I know what macros are, I can create balanced meals, I know how to move around with confidence in the gym and I understand the importance of lifting heavy weight.  I just love connecting with other women and men who are also choosing to live a healthier lifestyle.  I've found that this new way of living has allowed me to meet and help encourage many others to do the same.

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If you are looking for a change I can tell you that it is not an easy journey but it is well worth it.  I hope that my story gives you the confidence that you can change too. If I can do it, you can do it. 

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