Kimberly Garrison: She's of 'a certain age,' and certainly inspiring

ERNESTINE "EARNI" Shepherd is exquisitely feminine. She knows the secret to keeping your mojo, ahem, mojo-ing. Her enviable good looks and slamming figure are a living testament to what hard work can produce.

What makes her extraordinary? She's 73 years old.

That's right, the lady you see here is 73 years old - and she didn't start seriously training until a few years ago.

Now, the South Baltimore native, a retired school secretary, is pursing a second career as a certified personal trainer and model.

She is already a super role model and proof positive that it's never too late to achieve what we set out to do. She has participated in numerous charity walks and runs, and a year ago did her first bodybuilding show.

I first came across her image in Essence magazine. She's been in several other publications, appeared on "The View" and competed in the Miss America Senior Pageant in 2004.

The down-to-earth Shepherd is a true inspiration and a joy to interview. Hoping to keep you inspired, here a few snippets of our chat:

Q: Now, Ms. Ernestine, really, how old are you and where are you from originally?

A: Well, I turned 73 on June 16, and I am from Baltimore, Md.

Q: What's your background? What motivated you to get into the fitness?

A: What motivated me? My sister. She was 57 and I was 56. We were invited to a church picnic and needed bathing suits . . . [At the store], we both went into the dressing room, and when she looked over at me she started laughing.

"I don't know why you're laughing at me for," I said.

We needed to do something. So, we went to the church picnic . . . We wore shorts. At the picnic we were introduced to Jay Bennett, the man who would introduce my sister and me to working out. I had never done any exercise in my life.

My sister was ready and willing. I was always the prissy one. I had long, curved, fake nails and my hair was blond. I looked at him and said, "I like my hips and my bust," [but] around my waist I had some fat. You don't lose in spots like you want, he explained.

After a while [training with Bennett], he started taking us around to promote senior fitness.

Q: That's really cool. So, you and your sister got into fitness together. Is she still pursuing it also?

A: No, she's not. It was around this time that she suffered a brain aneurysm and died. She had been perfectly healthy. After she died, I just went to pieces. I just depended on her so. I always listened to her.

I left the gym. I couldn't go. I stopped exercising, until Raymond Day, a friend of ours, noticed I was not at the gym. He told me to get back to the gym because my sister would want me to.

Raymond Day worked with me, and I started looking good again. "I'm going to send your picture to Essence magazine," he said. Within a few weeks' time, we got a response.

Q: What do your husband and son think about all of this?

A: My husband, Collin, is my biggest fan and supporter. We've been together for 53 years. My husband has always helped. He prepares all my meals and puts them in the containers for me. My husband helps with the cleaning - he is just wonderful to me.

My son and grandson support me as well. "It's your time now, mom," my son says.

Q: That's wonderful, because we really do need family support when we are endeavoring to change our lifestyle or pursuing some athletic adventure. What types of things do you eat now that you are competing and working as a trainer?

A: I eat things like egg whites, grilled chicken, tuna, baked potato with the skin, green beans, beans, corn and other whole foods.

Q: Your body fat looks pretty low. What is it? And what's your height and weight?

A: When I began training, my body fat was 42.5 percent. Now it's down to 9 percent. I'm 5-foot-5 and maintain my weight around 120 to 125. I like that look.

Q: Oh, my, now that's impressive. Do you get tired of not eating what you don't want?

A: I do eat what I want. Sugar and junk, I don't want it. It will slow me up. I just stick to what I am doing. I want to look the part. How can you tell others if you are not doing it?

My motto is "Determined, Dedicated and Disciplined to be Fit." In order to do what I am doing, you have to follow the three D's. I love the theme music from the movie "Rocky." It inspires me!

Q: What's your philosophy about life?

A: I believe in living one day at a time. I try not to get myself upset over anything. I try to be happy every day. Even though things come up, after my sister's death I made a complete 360. I try to love everybody. I want to help people. That's my goal. *

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com). E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo!