Ernestine Shepherd leads 'Walk of Ages' at MSU

Mary Kuhlman, Public News Service

LANSING, Mich. – Some say, "The best is yet to be,” when it comes to aging – a mantra that is possible for Michiganders who focus on healthy lifestyle choices.

And 79-year-old Ernestine Shepherd is a perfect example. Shepherd is recognized by Guinness World Records as the World's Oldest Female Body Builder, and will be at Michigan State University next week to talk about nutrition, exercise, and brain health.

Mark Hornbeck, communications director for AARP Michigan, says Shepherd is an inspiration to people of all ages. "We have a 79-year-old woman who is going through the kind of training regimen that she is going through,” he points out. “We want to leave an impression on folks that just because you might be older in terms of years there is still a lot that you can do in terms of health and fitness to make sure that you lead your best life.”

After a Q and A session, Shepherd will then kick off AARP's first Walk of Ages event, leading people on a walk along the Red Cedar River.

The event will be held on April 15. It is free, but requires pre-registration. More information is available at aarp.org/mi (see Upcoming Events on this page).

Hornbeck says preventive steps can help people of all ages prepare for the physical and mental challenges associated with aging. "It's important to get into the right habits in terms of being active and eating the right foods and just staying sharp," he stresses.

Hornbeck adds that the event will also focus on wealth, with a panel discussion about financial security, protecting investments, and preventing fraud.