By James E. Causey of the Journal Sentinel
Ernestine Shepherd runs 80 miles a week, lift weights almost everyday and runs a fitness class for her church once a week.
If you’re thinking, yeah, so what! Consider this, she’s 73 and she’s probably healthier than you and she’s definitely healthier than most of the kids you know.
Last March, Shepherd was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest female bodybuilder, pretty amazing when you consider that she didn’t pick up her first barbell until age 56.
In a column last year, I reported that the federal government says too many recruits fail to pass the basic military fitness requirements putting our national security at risk.
We can all be inspired by Shepherd, who has the body of a in shape 30 something year old. I’m blogging about Shepherd for a selfish reason, I’m trying to get my mother and others like my mom motivated to move.
After her successful double knee replacement surgery three years ago, my mother went from a gym rat working out five days a week to a couch potato – watching soaps and putting back on some of the weight she lost. Worse, she is never at a loss for excuses for her lack of activity.
Last week it was her allergies. The week before that, she was complaining that her knees hurt too bad to go to the gym.
Hopefully Shepherd’s hard work is enough to get my mother and others motivated.
Thoughts?