Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/713121
Ernes ne "Ernie" Shepherd, at age 79, is a personal trainer, a professional model, a compe ve bodybuilder and happier and more fulfilled than she's ever been in her life. In March of 2010, on stage in Rome, Italy she was formally given the tle of World's Oldest Performing Female BodyBuilder (by Guinness World Records). How did Ernes ne transform herself from an average middle-aged woman to bodybuilding diva? What happened was that the 56-year-old version of Ernes ne went bathing suit shopping with her sister, Velvet. While trying on the suits, they found themselves laughing at each other. Then and there they knew it was me to get in be er shape. Ernes ne and her sister joined a gym and started working out together. A short me later, Velvet died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. Devastated, Ernes ne stopped going to the gym. A er some months of mourning the loss of her sister and on the advice of a friend that her sister would have wanted her to con nue what they had started, Ernes ne returned to the gym with a reignited determina on to get fit. Star ng slowly and building her body step by li le step, Ernes ne over me completely transformed not only her body, but her life, too. She has never been happier. She trains mostly senior women five days a week and "live(s) to inspire senior women to reach their physical poten al." Despite all the exercise, Ernes ne says that she has no aches or pains whatsoever and has never been injured — not at all — in the 17 years of her new improved life. This 5-foot 5-inch, 130-pound dynamo sports 9 to 10% body fat; these single-digit percentages are usually reserved for elite-professional male athletes in their prime! She takes no medica ons. She loves her new life's work, enjoys more energy than those decades younger and has never been more successful. What's her secret? Let's look at some of what allows Ernes ne to defy "normal" aging: • Began slowly under the guidance of an expert personal trainer and gradually condi oned her body • Ernes ne, realizing early on the importance of good nutri on (including sufficient protein and supplements) sought out the services of a nutri onist • Has the full support of her husband of 52 years, Collin, who prepares meals and makes sure the fridge is always stocked with her seven convenient small balanced daily meals • Makes sure she gets the rest her body needs • Tries to have a posi ve a tude about everything, views her workouts as fun and sees her work as being on a "long happy journey" • Knows where she wants to go and what she wants to accomplish and do • Believes in encouragement, inspira on and family support and lives by her mantra "Determined — Dedicated — Disciplined To Be Fit" Ernes ne Shepherd is having the me of her life at an age when many folks only see themselves as declining and ge ng old. She's in the best shape of her life by far, more successful than she's ever been and a supreme role model to senior women every where and to the rest of us, too. She has a lot to teach us about thriving at any age — if we are but ready and open to learn. Determined Dedicated Disciplined To Be Fit Meet Ernestine Shepherd Meet Ernestine Shepherd Abby's Magazine - Volume 4 Issue 4 | Page 11