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‘Senior Fitgirl': deze vrouw is 74 jaar en fitness-influencer

Instagram staat vol met afgetrainde lijven en fitness-influencers, dat is je vast niet ontgaan. Maar 74-jarige ‘fitgirls' zie je net iets minder. De Canadese Joan Macdonald (74) bewijst echter dat leeftijd geen enkele rol speelt.
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silke.vandenbroeck
Leestijd 4 min.

Macdonald is een zeventigplusser uit Cobourg, een klein plaatsje in Ontario Canada. Haar Instagram-account Train With Joan heeft meer dan 880.000 volgers en is razend populair. De socialmedia-pagina van Macdonald staat vol met foto's van haar afgetrainde lijf en haar eetgewoonten.

Streng fitness schema

Drie jaar terug had Macdonald last van hoge bloeddruk en artritis. Deze gezondheidskwalen zorgden ervoor dat ze lastig de trap op kwam. De Canadese begon met een streng fitness-schema om haar fysieke gesteldheid te verbeteren. Ze schreef zich in voor de sportschool en paste haar dieet aan. Ze focust zich nu op macronutriënten (koolhydraten, eiwitten en vetten) en eet ze vijf gezonde maaltijden per dag.

 

Dit bericht bekijken op Instagram

 

Let's talk about gym style, something I never would have considered to be important even just two years ago... When I first started out on my transformation journey, I hated trying on clothes, and in fact most of my clothes barely fit me any more so I had just a few bottoms and tops to choose from. Baggy shorts and over-sized t-shirts in boring colors were my go-to. I didn't love myself back then and that's how I dressed myself. I used to think 1) I didn't deserve beautiful clothes and 2) nothing nice would fit me anyway, especially at my age. It wasn't until my daughter insisted that I buy some new workout clothes and took me shopping at @forever21 that I understood that that mindset wasn't working for me. When I saw myself in flattering clothes in cute colors, I could see that my inner dialogue had to go. I actually had muscles! I actually had a good shape taking form! I felt so good inside to see that in those new clothes. ?Even though it might seem like something superficial like clothing can't have a big impact on how we see ourselves it absolutely can my dears! If I can learn that lesson in my seventies you can too. Now you won't catch me heading to the gym (or my living room as the case may be ?) without taking the time to chose a favorite outfit. My daughter tells her clients, “you have to invest the same love and compassion for yourself at the START of your transformation that would to your own daughter if she was in your shoes. You would encourage her, compliment her on her successes no matter how small, and you would treat her to some workout clothes that were flattering, wouldn't you? So learn to do that for yourself, and replace that negative inner dialogue with a positive one”. Now I'm sharing this with you. ? Please don't wait til you're “perfect” to take pride in yourself. You have to already see your perfection, your effort and your courage today. Love yourself enough to change, and show yourself that love daily. On the right I'm wearing one of my favorite outfits by @womensbest . If you have any questions please ask below, and share your favorite gym-wear brands with each other! With Love Joan ? . #womenbest #womensbestwear

Een bericht gedeeld door Joan MacDonald (@trainwithjoan) op

Tijdrovende reis

Sindsdien gaat het hard. Macdonald verloor een hoop gewicht en is ondertussen een ware ‘fitgirl' geworden. Haar dochter Michelle is de motivator achter Macdonald's fitnessregime. Michelle is fitnessinstructeur in Mexico en smeekte haar moeder destijds om haar gezondheid te verbeteren. Op haar Instagram-account schrijft Macdonald: "Drie jaar geleden begon ik aan deze lange en tijdrovende reis. Ik realiseer me nu dat er geen eind aan komt.” Volgens de Canadese kan iedereen, op elk moment, kiezen voor verandering. "Ook al is het leven soms moeilijk of uitdagend. Je moet volhouden en standvastig blijven als je vooruit wilt. Ik had nooit gedacht dat ik zo ver zou komen als dat ik nu ben.”

"Ik wilde weer gezond worden en stoppen met mijn medicatie. Om van jezelf te houden, moet je goed voor jezelf zorgen”, schrijft de 74-jarige. Deze ‘senior spierbundel' geeft online fitness trainingen via haar social media account en hoopt zo anderen te motiveren. Zelf traint ze minstens vijf dagen per week. Haar motto: "Het maakt niet uit als veranderingen traag gaan. Ik doe het op mijn eigen tempo en de veranderingen zullen de rest van mijn leven duren.”

 

Dit bericht bekijken op Instagram

 

I've now been sitting at 135 lbs give or take a few, since October. I never would have thought this was possible. Many of you are asking what I did about my loose skin. Well, the truth is I've done nothing about it so far. If I bend over or slouch it's all there, and if I don't flex my muscle I have some drooping skin like most other women my age. I'm certainly not opposed to surgery, but it's something that would honestly scare me. Plus I'm afraid at my age of the recovery and time away from the gym. Right now I'm happy just to love where I'm at, wear flattering clothes like these pants by @womensbest , and this cute top by @forever21 . ? It's better to focus on doing the best you can with what you have, and not start fixating on things you “want to improve”. It's a balance but an important one. Love yourself, love where you are now, and keep improving your habits. That's the real key. ?? . I'd love to hear your thoughts especially from those of you who have tried surgical procedures to take care of lose skin, etc. Are you happy? Do you recommend it? . . #fitover70 #silverhair #fitness #surgery #agingbackwards #oldladygains #transformation #weightloss.

Een bericht gedeeld door Joan MacDonald (@trainwithjoan) op