What's Age Got To Do With It

Have you noticed how we excuse our physique with our age?  The 'baby-pudge' we carry around LONG after the child is off to school...or maybe even graduated??? The 'spare tire' that develops in middle age.   The 'extra pounds' added on excused by stopping smoking, menopause, sedentary jobs.  Soon we are well into our 30's, 40's & 50's...and we think it's to late to get into shape, or back into shape...let alone the best shape of our lives!

Well, stop with the excuses & rationalizing right now!

Ernestine Shepherd didn't start working out til she was 56 years old!!  

I ran across an article on Ernestine, & was so inspired!
Below are excerpts from her bio on her website.
Don't miss the video below!

Meet Ernestine:

Ernestine “Ernie” Shepherd, at age 74, is a personal trainer, a professional model, a competitive 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 title of World’s Oldest Performing Female BodyBuilder (by Guinness World Records). How did Ernestine transform herself from an average middle-aged woman to bodybuilding diva?

In her youth Ernestine is said to have been a ”prissy” girl with little interest in athletics or exercise of any kind. As a 56-year-old she was a sedentary, well-padded school secretary and “slug” who had never worked out a day in her life. The obvious question is: What happened to transform Ernestine into a role model for the rest of us, and senior women in particular?

What happened was that the 56-year-old version of Ernestine 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 time to get in better shape. Ernestine and her sister joined a gym and started working out together. A short time later, Velvet died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. Devastated, Ernestine stopped going to the gym. After some months of mourning the loss of her sister and on the advice of a friend that her sister would have wanted her to continue what they had started, Ernestine returned to the gym with a reignited determination to get fit.

Starting slowly and building her body step by little step, Ernestine over time 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 potential.”

Ernestine Shepherd is having the time of her life at an age when many folks only see themselves as declining and getting 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.

A Fork In The Road

Every day we are faced with that 'Fork in the Road'  or 'Spoon in the Road'!  Some decisions won't really affect our lives much...as in should I choose Rocky Road or Moose Tracks ice cream.  Some decisions do make a difference, but because they seem innocent & small, it seems to not take you off your chosen path by much.   

Over time though, all these small, not so wise decisions catch up with you, & one day you look at yourself in the mirror, & wonder how on earth did I get here?

It is so easy to compensate for the gradual weight gain!  Go up one size in jeans, and blame it on how sizes vary so much depending on the brand.  Wear a little looser fitting, longer tops--after all they 'are' in style, do more layering...or wear hoodies a lot!  

You skip a meal here & there, and drink diet soda with the illusion that it is really making a difference. Yet the weight creeps higher. Soon there is that very uncomfortable roll around your middle that hangs over your waistband when you sit down.  There are love handles (perhaps more aptly named hate-them handles!) where where there used to be curves.  

You stand at the fork in the road:  Start making some lifestyle changes today, OR stay with what is comfortable.  Staying with the latter is easiest, and requires the least effort & commitment.  As Dr. Phil would say "So, how's that workin' for you??"  

It is hard.  Dang hard, to begin new habits, strive for consistency, and get on a path to a healthy lifestyle.  I know because I am not naturally disciplined.  I've never liked working out. I love to eat whatever I want.

I stand daily at that fork in the road...this is my journey trying to choose the better path.