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Home • Lifestyle

#BlackGirlMagic Goals! Body Builder Ernestine Shepherd Celebrates Her 80th Birthday

"I thank God for bringing me this far. I'm still determined, I'm still dedicated and I'm still disciplined to be fit!"
Body Builder Ernestine Shepherd Celebrates Her 80th Birthday
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
By Rachaell Davis · Updated October 27, 2020

Ernestine Shepherd currently holds the title of the world’s oldest body builder and recently celebrated her 80th birthday in grand fashion.

The wife and mother of one has built quite the following on social media, sharing her fitness tips, nutrition routines and things that keep her motivated to continue her fitness journey. A true testament to the belief that hard work, dedication and determination can pay off at any age, Ernestine took to social media to celebrate her birthday and thank fans for their kind words.

“I’ve been so busy enjoying my birthday that I forgot to post a birthday message to myself I am 80 years young today,” she wrote on her personal Facebook page. “I thank God for bringing me this far. I’m still determined, I’m still dedicated and I’m still disciplined to be fit!”

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According to her page, Ernestine sticks to a strict 1700-calorie diet that includes egg whites, chicken and vegetables. She also runs about 10 miles everyday. Outside of her life as a fitness guru, Ernestine will also celebrate 60 years of marriage with her husband this year and hopes to one day meet First Lady Michelle Obama. She also released her first book, titled Determined, Dedicated, Disciplined To Be Fit: The Ageless Journey Of Ernestine Shepherd, in April 2016.

We wish the happiest of birthdays to Ernestine as she continues to personify her life mantra: “Determined, Dedicated and Disciplined to be Fit.”

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