Determined, Dedicated and Disciplined to Be Fit

Determined¹, Dedicated² and Disciplined to Be Fit

It would be an understatement to say that Ernestine Shepherd is in better condition than most people. The 80-year-old bodybuilder lives by the words "determined, dedicated and disciplined" to stay in the best health possible.

Yes. You heard that right. Ernestine Shepherd recently celebrated³ her 80th birthday. And she still works out every day. But this was not always the case, she says.

“Earlier in life, I really did not think too much about eating correctly nor exercising, but as time went on, my mind changed completely.”

One day she went out shopping with her sister, Mildred Blackwell. Shepherd tried on a swimsuit. She says she did not like how it fit her. She says both women realized they were out of shape.

Blackwell suggested the sisters take a fitness class to lose weight and get in shape. So at age 56, alongside her sister, Shepherd started to exercise.

She says her sister inspired her to do more than just exercise.

“My sister was instrumental in getting me started to lift weights and to try to become a bodybuilder.”

Then, in 1992, Mildred Blackwell died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. Ernestine says the loss deepened her commitment to good health. She promised to continue training as a bodybuilder to honor her sister’s memory.

“After my sister’s death I first couldn’t really do too much of anything. I was just so upset about her death. But then finally I got myself together, decided⁴ that I would start working out and I started working out with a friend by the name of Raymond Day. And we worked out three days a week.”

Later, Ernestine invested in a personal trainer.

“My trainer the former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger. Wow, did he work me and get me into shape…Then after training with Yohnnie Shambourger I did my first bodybuilding show.”

And, she won her very first competition.

A call from the Guinness Book of World Records followed a short time later.

“Yohnnie got a call from the Guinness Book of World Records stating they thought I was the oldest female competitive bodybuilding in the world, but they would have to check it.”

Ernestine Shepherd holds the 2010 and 2011 title in the Guinness World Records as the World’s Oldest Performing Female Bodybuilder.

Shepherd runs every morning. She lifts weights three times a week. She says she keeps a balanced diet of proteins and carbohydrates⁵ such as chicken and rice. She also drinks lots of water.

And she gets support from Collin, her husband of 52 years. He helps prepare her seven small meals a day.

Shepherd says her lifestyle changes cured her of several health conditions.

"Physical activity in my later years has helped me, because at one time I suffered with high blood pressure, panic attacks, acid reflux. Oh, you name it. I had it. After I started working out everything changed for me. No more high blood pressure medicine. No more panic attacks. No more acid reflux. Exercise is not work, it's fun. It's a joy."

Shepherd still competes in body building events. She also works as a fitness trainer and professional model. And, this year, she became an author. Her book, “Determined, Dedicated and Disciplined To Be Fit,” came out in April, just before she turned 80.

Shepherd says she wanted to let people know, especially older people, that it is not too late to get healthy.

And, the author shares a secret about aging.

“If ever there was an anti-aging pill you will have to call it exercise.”

Words In This Story

work out – phrasal verb- to exercise rigorously in order to maintain fitness

out of shape – expression - in poor physical condition, unfit

fitness class – n. a course taken to help get in shape and become healthy

inspiration – n. something that makes someone want to do something

instrumental – adj. very important in helping⁶ or causing something to happen or be done

bodybuilder – n. a person who practices bodybuilding

aneurysm - n. an abnormal blood-filled tumor⁷ usually an artery⁸ resulting from weakening of the artery wall

diet – n. the food that a person usually eats

body building – n. the activity of doing exercises (such as lifting weights) to make the muscles of your body larger and stronger

anti-aging – adj. (a product or technique) designed to prevent the appearance of getting older

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 carbohydrates   

n.碳水化合物，糖类( carbohydrate的名词复数 )；淀粉质或糖类食物

参考例句：

• The plant uses the carbohydrates to make cellulose. 植物用碳水化合物制造纤维素。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All carbohydrates originate from plants. 所有的碳水化合物均来自植物。 来自辞典例句

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 tumor   

n.（肿）瘤，肿块(英)tumour

参考例句：

• He was died of a malignant tumor.他死于恶性肿瘤。
• The surgeons irradiated the tumor.外科医生用X射线照射那个肿瘤。

8 artery   

n.干线，要道；动脉

参考例句：

• We couldn't feel the changes in the blood pressure within the artery.我们无法感觉到动脉血管内血压的变化。
• The aorta is the largest artery in the body.主动脉是人体中的最大动脉。