Ripped grandma sheds 55lbs after using an iPhone to lose weight (2024)

A grandmother shed 55lbs after her daughter taught her to use an iPhone to help her lose weight - and she's now medication-free and swamped with compliments from younger men for her ripped physique.

Fitness fanatic retiree Joan MacDonald, 73, from Ontario, Canada, struggled with her weight throughout her life, despite being relatively active, and could barely walk up the stairs after having knee replacement surgery.

After using food as a way to escape a difficult time in her marriage, her weight ballooned until it peaked at 198lbs and size 22.

Joan was also on various medications to help with her health, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and acid reflux.

These health problems, along with her progressive arthritis, were a cause of concern for Joan's daughter, Michelle, 48, who told her to join her annual transformation program.

In January 2017, Joan began working out at the gym four times a week and completely turned her diet around.

With the help of her daughter and son-in-law who coached her, Joan's weight reduced to a healthy 141lbs and a size 16 in just a year.

'I struggled with my weight and for many decades I was more often overweight than at a healthy weight,' Joan explained.

'I was on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and acid reflux. My arthritis was acting up pretty bad.

'I could barely walk up and down the stairs and I hadn't been to the gym in months because my knee that I had replaced was really hurting me.

'My daughter was becoming concerned about my health and asked me to join her annual transformation program. Well, she pretty much told me to join it, to be honest.'

Joan admitted she was pretty 'overwhelmed' at first as it was all online, and she had to get an iPhone and learn all about apps.

'I was in tears at times, ready to throw in the towel, but luckily, I was too darn stubborn,' she recalled.

'My daughter and son-in-law would coach me through again and again, how to use my phone. You could say it took a village.

'To be honest, I think what really helped me was that this time I was okay to go slowly, and just take my time.

'Trust me, I had lost a lot of weight before, many times in fact; I had tried Weight Watchers and Counterweight to great success, but the weight always came back.'

Michelle set up an Instagram account for Joan where she posted regular updates on her fitness journey, which attracted dozens of compliments including from younger men impressed by her physique.

Joan is no longer on any medications as her health has vastly improved since she lost the weight and she is able to hip thrust over 198lbs, which is equivalent to her previous weight.

'This fitness journey will undoubtedly improve my quality of life as I move deeper into old age. I'm very grateful for that,' she said.

'I feel much better about myself now and getting compliments from younger men and women sure boosts the self-esteem.'

Joan has also overhauled her diet; before she would eat two slices of toast with jam and coffee for breakfast, a sandwich and fruit salad for lunch, meat and vegetables and dessert for dinner and she would snack on sweets, chocolates or nuts.

Now she sticks to a healthier meal plan; egg whites, cheese, meat, vegetables and bread or half a bagel for breakfast, coconut milk, protein powder, fruit and ice blended for a smoothie for lunch and for dinner she now has meat, vegetables and a salad.

'I was on a meal plan set up by Michelle with 'X' number of calories; primarily protein, carbs and good fats, and as the weight and inches came down my intake of food went up,' she said.

'I also went to the gym four or five days a week and followed her exercise program which changed every four weeks and I did daily cardio.'

Joan's new look has boosted her self-confidence, and her husband has certainly noticed a change in her.

'It has changed the way I feel about myself; people at my gym would approach me and compliment me on the changes they saw in me,' she revealed.

'My husband started remarking about how good I looked, and my family was so proud of my efforts.

'I have an easier time staying away from junk or fast foods and as for exercise, I will keep at it because there's always room for change and improvement.

'People are very complimentary and somewhat surprised that I've kept it off this long and I'm still changing; I have more muscle definition now than when I first lost the weight.

'For those who truly feel at a loss, I'd say change one thing with your food intake and one exercise to do and each week add something new. Don't expect miracles right away, take it slow and steady but keep building.

'For those who prefer a challenge, go to a gym and if possible get yourself a legitimate trainer, someone who can help with food as well, and you will achieve results faster.'

For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/trainwithjoan/.