At the age of 85 anni, Ernestine Shepherd, Baltimore super grandmother, is the oldest bodybuilder in the world, primacy certified by the Guinness World Record. But until about 30 years ago, she was a chubby middle-aged woman who hated what she saw in a dressing room mirror when trying on swimwear after swimwear. “I was too perfect to exercise. I didn’t want to ruin my hair, I didn’t want to break my nails”, Says Ernestine.
Everything changed when the woman decided that her health was worth more and decided to go to the gym: so, a 56 years old, its astounding transformation has begun. The woman started slowly. Ernestine started her training regimen with her sister, starting with a simple aerobics class. Then he gradually increased the exercises. Ernestine claims she had never thought about bodybuilding until a gym trainer suggested she start lifting weights. When she began to see the effects of the lifts, the woman made a commitment to become the oldest professional bodybuilder in the world (see photo in the scrolling gallery above).
Then she started running, which led her to complete 8 marathons. The woman begins her days with a run: she runs 5km in 28 minutes as a cardio part of his workout routine. As for strength, Ernestine still enjoys lifting weights and keeps her muscles lean and toned – she claims to lift about 70kg.
Ernestine’s diet may not be for everyone, but her focus on healthy foods is a lesson in moderation. The woman says she eats several small meals a day as part of a diet plan she has formulated together with her coaches. It consumes 1,700 calories a day, mostly made up of boiled egg whites, chicken, vegetables and a liquid egg white drink. In addition to processed foods, sweets and other “junk food”, Ernestine has also eliminated most of the red meat and does not eat any beef or processed carbohydrates at all. She is very strict regarding salt and sugar consumption and is adamant that she uses no performance enhancing substances or supplements, other than vitamin D.
Her inspiration to become a bodybuilder began with her sister, Mildred Blackwell. But when Mildred died in 1992, a year into Ernestine’s training, she vowed to continue in her memory. Super grandma wants others, especially older people, to know that it’s never too late to get better and have a good health. “I used to suffer from high blood pressure, panic attacks, acid reflux. After I started training, everything changed for me. No more medicines for high blood pressure. No more panic attacks. No more reflux. Exercise is not work. It is a cure. And it is a joy”, Says the woman.
In addition to working as a personal trainer, Ernestine teaches gymnastics classes for seniors at the Union Memorial United Methodist Church in Baltimore.