For most of us people, aging means getting a little weaker every year. You may not be as flexible as before, and if you are a retiree, you may want to take it easy, which you deserve after working for most of your life.
Being strong or in shape may not feel like a priority when you reach old age, but it’s very important to keep active, particularly when you get older.
Of course, what I mean is to keep going on walks or doing a light workout at the gym regularly, being in absolute top form is not the most important thing.
However, 83-year-old Ernestine Shepherd shows us that age is just a number – as she is the world’s oldest female bodybuilder.
Being in shape is important for our body and soul to feel comfortable. For most of us, it means taking a walk or doing some light exercise. For 83-year-old bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd, however, it looks a little different.
Started training at 56
Ernestine, who was born in 1936, had never set foot in a gym until she was 56 years old.
“My sister Velvet and I went shopping for swimsuits. Neither of us had worn one for years. We looked in the changing room mirror, and made a pact to get in better shape,” Ernestine told the BBC.
Joined her first competition at 71
After that, the sisters’ next goal was to join the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest bodybuilding sisters in the world. Unfortunately, the sisters never got that far, as Velvet tragically passed away.
However, Ernestine decided to do everything in her power to honor the pact she made with her sister. So at 71, Ernestine finally joined her first competition.
How it went? Ernestine won the competition – and officially became the world’s oldest female bodybuilder in the Guinness book.
“They also invited us to Rome so I could be given the official title on a TV show. I’ll never forget standing on that stage as I collected my medal and certificate. ‘I’ve done what you wanted, Velvet’, I remember saying as tears filled my eyes,” said Ernestine.
Still in top form
Although Ernestine didn’t magically turn younger, she shows no signs of losing shape.
She’s no longer competing but is still miles ahead of the youngsters at the gym. She’s written a book about her journey and often participates in various television programs where she tells her unique story.
This woman such an inspiration. Press that share button so your friends also know that age is just a number!
