By NICOLE VALICEK
A FEW years ago Dona Magro could not climb a flight of stairs.
Today, the mum of one is preparing to race to the top of Melbourne’s tallest building, and get the ultimate view from the top of the Eureka Tower.
Dona set herself the goal to complete the annual climb one year ago and it will be her first challenge as a healthier, fitter 42-year-old.
“I was always very active and fit growing up, but after having my son at 29, I just stopped focusing on me and before I knew it, I couldn’t even climb up the stairs at our local cinemas,” she said.
“I smoked since I was 16 and by the time I hit 38, I couldn’t play a full game of netball.”
One day she was getting dressed and her size 14 clothes were too tight.
“It was then that I decided to make the best decisions I could ever make, I refused to buy size 16 clothes and I knew I had to give up the smokes.”
Dona booked herself into a hypnotist and has not smoked for three years.
She joined Calorie King on line and started being accountable for everything she ate and lost 25 kilograms.
“Before I knew it I was throwing out my old clothes and buying size 12s, however it wasn’t long after that and I was buying size 10.”
Donna not only changed her eating habits and lifestyle, she also started and completed a personal training course.
“I felt so great that I decided to do a personal training course so hopefully I could help others who felt like I did three years ago. I love training now and stairs are no longer my nemesis.”
Eureka Climb, presented by OsteoEze, is an event for people of all ages and levels of fitness to walk/run/climb their way up 88 floors of one of the world’s tallest residential towers.
The event will take place on Sunday 17 November.
“To be able to climb 88 floors is a big challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”
Each participant is raising money for charities Whitelion and Interplast Australia and New Zealand.
To donate to Donna’s fund-raising efforts visit www.eurekaclimb.com.au and search her full name.
