Life doesn't have to be over when you're drawing your Pension

Just take a look at Ernestine Shepherd, Personal Trainer: age 71.

What a fabulous advert for looking after your body and mind as a senior citizen.

Training regime: She drinks 16 ounces of water and eats a light snack that includes a bagel with peanut butter or two hard-boiled eggs before starting her workout.

Status: Married to Collin Shepherd, age 77, for 52 years. They have a son and a grandson.

What her husband says: "She is a very determined person and she is not only in this for herself, she’s interested in helping other people, including myself" he says.

With 10% body fat, Ernestine is 5ft 5ins and about 130 pounds of inspiration to her clients, many of whom she includes in her routine of walking or running, which begins at 4am.

It wasn't until Ernestine turned 56 that she began to exercise with her sister.

They were both spurred on to join a gym after shopping for bathing suits and not liking what they saw in the mirror.

Then one day in 1992, her sister came into the gym complaining of a ringing in her ears. A few days later, she passed away. She had a brain aneurysm that burst in her head. They were really close; they did everything together. When she died, Ernestine said “I didn't want to do anything”, but a close friend of Ernestine said “you know your sister wouldn't want you to do that”.

So there we have it. At least I now know that if I do reach the ripe old age of 71, I have options. I can either wither away and die or I can make every attempt to enjoy life to the full. I’m not sure if I would ever have Ernestine’s drive, but at least I know if health is on my side, I can have a fair try!