Ernestine Shepard is more an exception to the rule than a pattern, because 80 years is a dangerous age, at which irreparable things can happen even while lying down, not to mention any kind of activity, and in this case it’s bodybuilding! But, despite her age, this woman feels very good. How did she achieve this opportunity - bodybuilding at such a serious age? Perhaps her training became possible due to the practice of using hormonal drugs in old age, so popular in the United States, or is this a phenomenon of the human body? Let's figure it out.
Biography of Ernestine Shepard
Ernestina was born back in 1936 and until the age of 56 she was not at all interested in sports. The woman decided to take classes at the moment when she and her sister went to choose swimsuits, and the reflection in the mirror turned out to be unsatisfactory for her. Sports for Ernestine Shepard began with aerobics, but as soon as the progress achieved by the load stopped, the sisters changed their training to weight training exercises in the gym.
Ernestine Shepard: before and after photos
The next stage of her development was her performances in bodybuilding competitions. This lasted until 1992, when Ernestina’s sister died. This event drove the athlete into severe depression that lasted five years. An elderly athlete returned to training at the age of 71 after a dream in which her sister appeared to her and asked her to resume training and fulfill her old dream. Ernestine's sister Mildred dreamed that they would get into the Guinness Book of Records.
80-year-old bodybuilder Ernestine Shepard: what is interesting about the oldest female bodybuilder
Ernestine Shepard
On June 16, Ernestine Shepard celebrated her 80th birthday, but it’s hard to believe when looking at her photo. At her age, a woman is able to withstand such an intense load that many young and healthy people cannot do! For those who still have not prepared their body for summer (the first month of which is already coming to an end), whose motto is “not today”, who do not have enough time for sports, lovers of the “night watch” and many others, SPLETNIK.RU talks about the achievements of Ernestine Shepard .
Ernestine Shepard
Biography
Ernestine Shepard was born June 16, 1936. In her youth, she showed no interest in sports; she and her sister Mildred, with whom Ernestina was very close, did not lack the attention of men: both girls were beauties and they had plenty of admirers. When Ernestine was 56 and Mildred was 57, they were invited to a pool party. The women went shopping to choose swimsuits and in the fitting room noticed that their bodies had changed a lot with age (apparently, until that moment, age-related changes had not bothered the Shepard sisters). Ernestina and Mildred decided to take action: first they signed up for an aerobics class, and when the load was not enough, they switched to strength training in the gym.
The sisters worked very hard. Sports became part of their daily routine, they even took part in bodybuilding competitions, after which Mildred shared with her sister her dream - to see her and Ernestina’s names in the Guinness Book of Records as the first bodybuilding sisters. Alas, the dream was not destined to come true: in 1992, Mildred died from a ruptured aneurysm. For the next five years, Ernestine was deeply depressed, since her sister was the closest person to her. At some point, the woman woke up from grief and remembered her sister’s instructions:
Whenever you feel like you can't cope, put on your sneakers, get out of the house and run.
From that moment on, Ernestina's life changed: at 71, she started running again, and then returned to intense exercise in the gym.
Ernestine Shepard
Daily routine and results
Ernestina's day begins quite early - prayer and meditation are scheduled at 3 a.m. At 4 a.m. she goes on a 16-kilometer run. If she is preparing for a marathon, the distance increases, but on average Shepard runs about 130 kilometers per week. Already at 8 a.m., the athlete begins exercises, in addition, she does personal training with her clients, and she herself takes lessons from former “Mr. Universe” Yonny Shamburger (whom Google ironically calls “hamburger”). At 10 pm Ernestine goes to bed.
Ernestine Shepard and her trainer Yonny Shamburger
Ernestina’s height is 168 centimeters, her weight is 59 kilograms, her body fat percentage is 9-10 (the norm for women over 50 years old is 16-25 percent). The bodybuilder consumes 1,700 kilocalories per day: her diet is based on boiled proteins, chicken breasts, vegetables, brown rice and a protein shake.
Ernestine Shepard
Ernestine Shepard has run nine marathons and won two bodybuilding competitions over the past 20 years. In 2010 and 2011, this wonder woman was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest female bodybuilder.
Personal life
Ernestine has been married to Collin Shepard for 60 years. The future husband first saw his beloved in the supermarket where she worked as a cashier - Ernestine was only 18 years old at the time.
My mother sent me to the store. There I saw Ernestine. She wore so much jewelry that I thought she was already married
- Colleen recalls.
Colleen and Ernestine Shepard
After so many years, love and understanding reign in the couple. Their son Michael is 53 years old, their grandson is 14 years old. Men complain that obsessive suitors are staring at Ernestina, and they have to keep their ears open.
Ernestine Shepard
Ernestine Shepherd's story inspires sports achievements, and you can find even more motivation on her Facebook page - Ernestine Shepherd-World's Oldest Female Body Builder! You can start small: a light jog in the morning, exercises at home using YouTube videos. The main thing is not to overestimate your capabilities when trying to outdo an 80-year-old bodybuilder.
Training program and nutrition
Every day of the athlete begins with running an impressive distance of 10 kilometers. To do this, she has to leave the house at 4 in the morning and wake up at two in the morning. Her breakfast consists of 10 egg whites and nuts. At eight in the morning training begins in the gym. Her coach, Yonny Shamburger, is a man who holds the title “Mr. Universe.”
Staple foods include boiled egg whites, chicken breasts, nuts, protein shakes, rice and vegetables.
Lifestyle and thoughts
With her example, Shepard debunked the myth about the ugly bloated muscles of female athletes. If you do not use steroids and other stimulating additives, the muscles of athletes acquire beautiful relief, while remaining graceful.
Postulates that Ernestine follows every day:
- Do not pay attention to discussions about the age characteristics of the body. Old age comes if it is not prevented.
- Don't try to set records at any cost. You should choose sports that you like and that suit your health. Running, weightlifting or aerobics are secondary.
- Eating healthy is not a hunger strike. The body requires a complete diet containing proteins, carbohydrates and beneficial elements. You just need to eliminate unhealthy fats and sugar.
- It is important to drink plenty of fluids every day. It supports metabolism, skin elasticity, and youthful blood vessels. Clean water without gas is preferred.
- It is useful to go to bed before midnight and rest as much as the body requires, and not the notorious 8 hours.
In numerous interviews, Shepard admits that the only way to achieve something is strong motivation. The bodybuilder’s sports uniform has the motto embroidered on it: “Dedication, dedication, discipline.” She never deviates from these words. At first, she was pushed to exercise by the desire to tighten her figure, and later - to prove to herself and others that stereotypes about age are a prejudice.
Nowadays
How is Ernestine Shepard feeling today? Photos prove that everything is wonderful in the life of this amazing woman. She continues to lead a busy life, and every day is scheduled to the minute.
According to the athlete, the daily routine is of paramount importance for health and success. Ernestina's day begins at 3 a.m. with meditation. This is followed by a multi-kilometer run and training in the gym. Mrs. Shepard never tires of talking about how important rest and recovery are for an athlete. This means sleeping after lunch and going to bed no later than 10 pm.
Ernestine Shepard follows a balanced diet, thanks to which she can boast of sculpted abs. Her menu consists of brown rice, chicken breasts, raw proteins, cereals, lots of vegetables and fruits, and Ernestina eats 4 times a day, mostly steamed and baked foods. Taking care of nutrition is entrusted to the athlete’s husband, who prepares her food with his own hands.
After training, Ernestine Shepard conducts fitness classes with older women, some of whom are over 80. Her classes are always crowded, some come to this fitness center tens of kilometers away. Now not only women, but also men train in her group. She became a role model. Its success motivates people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. But the most important thing is that looking at her, you understand that it’s never too late to start.
But that's not all. The athlete is invited to various TV shows and fashion shows, where she demonstrates clothes for older women.
Success in sports
Ernestine Shepard pays special attention to running. She took part in 9 marathon races. In 2007, a woman decides to become a professional bodybuilder. She turns to Yonny Shamburger - Mr. Universe, winner of the BB championship at the 1995 Pan American Games - and begins training under his guidance. Just 7 months later, she competes in the East Coast Championship and takes first place in her class, leaving her younger competitors behind. Then there was another victory in competitions and participation in various BB competitions. But she considers the most important thing to be victory over the numbers in the passport and the word “impossible.”
