Donald Magee, 82, in his after photo taken December 2015 at 170 pounds. Photo contributed by Donald Magee.
Donald Magee, 80 at time of photo, in his before photo taken September 2013 at 185 pounds. Photo contributed by Donald Magee.
By Michelle C. Brooks
This article was previously published December 9, 2015, in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Former weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 170 pounds
Pounds lost: 30 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 8 inches
Age: 82 years
How long he’s kept it off: He started 25 years ago, maintaining a 20-pound loss for the past five years. He reached his current weight June 15. “I didn’t start mine as a weight-reduction program but as a physical-fitness program and I lost weight and was happy with that,” says Magee.
Personal life: “My wife, Florence, is my hero. I married a lot better than she did. We’ve been married 56 years. We have two girls and four grandchildren … I retired as a superintendent of schools in Illinois.” After retirement, he worked at a preschool in Lilburn where he lives.
Turning point: “I started when my wife was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 25 years ago,” he says. He joined her when she needed to work out for her health. “I was more concerned about physical conditioning than weight loss.” His specialty is push-ups. “I do 500 before my first cup of coffee. If I don’t do it I feel lethargic …When I was 74 years old, I did 3,000 push-ups; when I was 79, I did 4,000 and [this fall] I did 5,000 on a Saturday. From 6:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., I did 1,000; from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., I did 2,050. At 12:45 p.m. I did 150 at a time, so every 15 minutes I did 150 push-ups until I got to 5,000.” Through pledges, he raised money for his church. “People ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ I answer, ‘Because I can.’”
Diet plan: “I eat about anything but I just really cut back on all the portions,” he says. “I’m an egg fanatic; I eat eggs five or six times a week.” Lunch is a protein bar; dinner is a sandwich or burger.
Exercise routine: He works out seven days a week. “My goal is to do 1,000 push-ups every day but I exceed that most days.” He also does stomach crunches, leg press and arm curls. “If you can do 10, then do 10 five days in a row, don’t push it. You’re going to get muscle tired so just take your time.”
Biggest challenge: “I think the eating challenge was the biggest challenge … sometimes to kill my appetite a bit, I would take a small helping of nuts before suppertime.”
How life has changed: “I feel good. I have a lot of energy. I’ve always been a pretty active guy.” His advice: “I think number one, you need to set goals and don’t be discouraged if you don’t reach them right away; be a little bit cautious in what you’re doing. Don’t push it too fast. If you do mess up, start over — be consistent with it.”
Be an inspiration: If you’ve made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Patty Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.