Then she made another blunt comment that changed my life. “Mom, why don’t you go to the gym?” she said.<\/p>\n
I needed to improve my health<\/p>\n
I had high blood pressure, kidney problems, and was at least 70 pounds overweight. Approaching my 71st birthday that March, I felt scared and miserable.<\/p>\n
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My doctor had already warned me that, if I didn’t make an effort to improve my health, I would end up on dialysis before very long. I was effectively dying.<\/p>\n
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MacDonald, before she discovered the gym and became healthier.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Michelle MacDonald.<\/p>\n
Growing up in Canada<\/a>, I’d been an active child. I played ball, skated in the winter, and went bowling. I enjoyed doing them because they were fun. But I was by no means an athlete.<\/p>\n I got married a month before my 21st birthday and settled into married life while working as a driving examiner. I juggled work with motherhood, raising Michelle and her older and younger brothers.<\/p>\n Going to the gym<\/a> really wasn’t a thing back then. None of my married friends worked out, or even thought about doing so.<\/p>\n I took medication for high blood pressure<\/p>\n I believe that your body changes every seven years or so. I went through variations in terms of shape and size, and enjoyed certain foods, then went off them.<\/p>\n Do you have a powerful story about senior health? Please email Jane Ridley at jridley@insider.com<\/p>\n I didn’t have regular meals, often eating just two meals a day at irregular times. In between, I’d snack.<\/p>\n Throughout my 60s, I was in poor health. I’d get bronchitis in the fall and spring \u2014 I had weaker lungs after contracting rheumatic fever<\/a> as a child \u2014 and the kidney issues began.<\/p>\n The weight had grown to 200 pounds, which was far too heavy for my height of 5 feet 3 inches. And my blood pressure was high<\/a>; I was put on medication.<\/p>\n MacDonald, after taking up exercise and eating five small meals a day.<\/p>\n Courtesy of Michelle MacDonald<\/p>\n I’m lucky because Michelle is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and sports nutrition coach. She saw how unhealthy I’d become and was worried, especially because she’d moved thousands of miles away and couldn’t keep an eye on me.<\/p>\n Her recommendation struck home. It was enough to jolt me into action. My doctor also encouraged me to lose weight and reduce my blood pressure.<\/p>\n I’d half-heartedly attended the gym before, but not consistently. This time, I went five times a week.<\/p>\n My body slimmed down<\/p>\n I sought advice from Michelle and studied YouTube videos <\/a>to learn how to use the machines and do strength training with free weights. At first, I couldn’t believe how hard it was to pick up 20 pounds.<\/p>\n I began with small weights and increased them by increments. I’ve since done a deadlift of 170 pounds and a hip thrust of 230 pounds.<\/p>\n It was amazing to see my body slim down and fit into clothes, like jeans, that I hadn’t worn in a very long time.<\/p>\n I lost 45 pounds in six months and a further 25 pounds during the rest of my 70s. I’ve gone from a size XL to a medium. I was able to quit my medications.<\/p>\n MacDonald has become stronger and more flexible.<\/p>\n Courtesy of Michelle MacDonald<\/p>\n My current regimen involves spending two hours at the gym, with around 15 minutes of cardio, followed by using weights. I often work out with Michelle, whom I joined in Mexico for around a year after my husband died.<\/p>\n As for my diet, I eat five small meals a day, including oatmeal with egg whites, protein powder, and 1% coconut milk for breakfast.<\/p>\n Then I’ll have yogurt, an egg white omelette with ground beef, chicken, turkey, and ham, a protein bar, and a final, plain meal without starches. If I start my day at 7 am, I’ll stop eating by 7 pm.<\/p>\n A shoulder injury hasn’t stopped me<\/p>\n Unfortunately, I suffered a shoulder injury<\/a> while biking outside on a rough surface and needed surgery three months ago. I’ve had to take things a bit easier as I recover. However, I feel 100% happier and healthier than I did before going to the gym.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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