Ernestine Shepherd – Record-holder for World's Oldest Female Bodybuilder - to speak at Bariatric Prom!

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Ernestine Shepherd is proof positive that fitness looks (and feels) great at any age! She held the Guinness record for World’s Oldest Female Bodybuilder from 2000 - 2012, but at age 78 she proves age is just a number!

What’s surprising about this regal woman, is that her story reads so much like many of ours. In her mid-50’s she was “an average middle-aged woman,” she says on her website. She lived a fairly sedentary lifestyle and she says she did not exercise. That is, until one day when she went bathing suit shopping with her sister, Violet.

“While trying on suits, we found ourselves laughing at each other. Then and there we knew it was time to get in better shape,” Shepherd says.

So Ernestine and Violet joined a gym together and began working out but, sadly, a short time later Violet developed a brain aneurism and passed away. Devastated, Ernestine stopped going to the gym. After some months of mourning the loss of her sister and on the advice of a friend that her sister would have wanted her to continue what they had started, Ernestine returned to the gym with a reignited determination to get fit.

Starting slowly and building her body step by little step, over time Ernestine completely transformed her body and life. She says she’s never been happier.

In 2007 (at age 71) she asked Yohnnie Shambourger (former Mr. Universe) to train her to compete as a bodybuilder. Seven months later she entered her first bodybuilding competition. In this first contest she took first place in her class at the Natural East Coast Tournament of Champions bodybuilding competition – out posing women decades younger.

Nowadays she helps others work toward their fitness goals. She trains mostly senior women five days a week and says she “live(s) to inspire senior women to reach their physical potential.”

Bariatric Prom attendees will hear Ms. Shepherd speak about her life, her path to fitness and living your best life at any age.

Tickets are still available at the Early Bird Price – but for a limited time!

And as if that wasn’t enough, on this special night, two more special guests have asked to help us celebrate our journeys. Shenetta Malkia (Ms. Maryland United States) and Morgan Honey Day (Miss Maryland InterContinental 2014) will be our hostesses. Thank you, beautiful ladies, for helping to make our night special!

We also give thanks to our sponsors:

Diamond Sponsors:

Bariatric Foodie

Cruise One/Margaret Cooper Nygaard

Chere Cofield International

Kae’s Kreations

Pearl Sponsors:

Cakes by Cynthia

Berries by Quicha

Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins

Ruby Sponsor:

Century 21 Finesse/Michael Langley

Morganview Apartments

Why Margaret is Going to Bariatric Prom

Margaret and Jim Nygaard are what many young newlyweds hope to be: happy, healthy, and — after 33 years of marriage — still crazy in love!

The pair has known each other what seems like forever to her. In fact, Margaret says her first date with Jim was to his senior prom. The pair also attended her junior prom (for which Margaret served on the prom committee). When Margaret looks back on her prom experience, she smiles.

“I had a blast! Both times involved really bad music and weird themes. I can’t dance but I hung out with friends and had a lot of fun.” She remembers at her junior prom her dress was so popular, several other people were wearing it!

To Margaret, the Bariatric Prom gives her a reason to do two things she absolutely loves to do — shop and socialize! “I love a party!” she exclaims.

The fact that it’s a bariatric event also means a lot to Margaret. “I really appreciate the support I receive through the online bariatric community, but nothing beats seeing each other live and in person,” she says. In fact, Margaret is so passionate about the idea of a Bariatric Prom, she decided that her Cruise One franchise would be a Diamond Sponsor of the event!

But, she warns that people shouldn’t be wary of coming to the Bariatric Prom based on what stage of their journey they are on. “It doesn’t really matter if you are pre-op, a few weeks out or several years post-op,” she says. “It doesn’t’ matter if you lost a little or a lot of weight or even had regain. You’ll feel supported and encouraged at this event. Come share your story, get some hugs, eat some good food and dance like no one is watching!”

When you arrive at the Bariatric Prom, be sure to look for Margaret! She’s always good a warm smile and a friendly word for anyone.

Tickets are still available!

Why Michael is Going to Bariatric Prom (...and Sabrina too!)

Michael Langley is not a bariatric patient himself, but he has an amazing weight loss story — and love story! — just the same.

In recent years he’s gone from  260 lbs. to 190 lbs. He also married the love of his life, Sabrina.

Michael says he went to his high school prom,  he says, “because I wanted to feel included with my peers and wanted to show off my girlfriend because I had such low self-esteem." Now an addiction counselor, Michael suffered emotional abuse throughout his childhood and admits he didn’t really put himself out there for people to get to know him.

He met his wife - and professed soul mate - Sabrina in 2009. The two chatted online before meeting up at a Starbucks. "She's been in my life ever since," Michael says. The two married in December of 2012.

In the spring of 2014, Sabrina, a hair stylist by trade, underwent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Michael was there with her every step of the way, even attending bariatric support group and joining many bariatric support pages on Facebook. 

Michael looks at the Bariatric Prom as an opportunity to do the prom the way he always hoped to do it: with the love of his life on his arm and surrounded by supportive and caring people.

“It excites me that for Sabrina’s first prom she’ll be getting the chance that I never got at my first prom,” he says. “This is the perfect opportunity to alter those terrible memories into something better.”

And, Michael says, the fact that this is a bariatric event makes it all the better.

“This is an event for bariatric patients and their significant others who have all been through the trials and tribulations of the surgery — pre- and post-op — and have the utmost support for one another,” he says.

But at the bottom of it all, Michael is looking forward to having Sabrina on his arm for this special night. “I get to go to the prom with the love of my life, my soul mate. She’ll get to go to the prom with her best friend, love and soul-mate.”

Be sure to say "hi!" to Michael and Sabrina at the big event. But first, have you gotten your tickets? If not, get them during the Early Bird sales! ($35/1 person, $65/2 people - thru June 15).

Get Your Tickets!

Why Cris is Going to Bariatric Prom

Cris plans to wear this gown from high school
to the Bariatric Prom!

Even though they’ve known each other since the 7th grade, Cris Martin and her husband, Todd, actually did not go to the prom together. “We both went with other people!” she exclaims.

Cris says she went to her prom, but didn’t feel confident or happy with her size. While in high school, Cris experienced significant weight gain. She used to compete in singing competitions, for which her mother would buy her gowns but, she says, “after my weight gain I could no longer wear them.”

Why is Cris going to the Bariatric Prom? Several reasons.

First, she says, she wants to attend the prom with her husband. “I should have then,” she says, so now I get a do-over.”

She also reports she feels more confident about herself. She had gastric bypass surgery in 2010 and has maintained a loss of more than 140 pounds. In fact, she plans on reliving her high school days in more ways than one. The gown she plans to wear to the Bariatric Prom is one she hasn’t worn since the 10th grade.

But most importantly, Cris says, she’s going because she feels like bariatric post-ops “deserve a wonderful night out with people who get it.”

She hopes to see you there! Remember to get your Early Bird Tickets by June 15  for the lowest possible price ($35/pp, $65/2 ppl).

Get Your Early Bird Tickets!

"But I already went to my prom!"

Nikki, here! How ya doing?

In talking with folks about the Bariatric Prom, I realized something quite simple that I should have realized in the beginning.

Not everyone's prom experience was the same as mine. Some of you went to your proms and had a lovely time. Some of you were even - dare I say - SKINNY for your first proms!

And guess what? You still should come to The Bariatric Prom. Why?

Well in my estimation, usually when bariatric folks get together for a nice evening event it's during some conference. Which is ok. I love weight-loss surgery conferences. I'm attending one and am presenting at another in the coming months!

But I also think it'd be nice to have an event that's JUST for fun. We WLS folk have a blast when we get together. Nobody gets us like us! Nobody else understands the sounds our stomachs make when we eat. Nobody understands the trials and tribulations of getting a waitress to understand that - NO! - you do not want water with your meal! And few people understand what losing so much weight in such a short time can do to your psyche.

So let's have a night just for us. To celebrate our new way of life (notice I did not say our bodies - our bodies are great but not everyone feels like they are "there" yet - wherever that is - but guess what? You still have stuff to celebrate!).

Let's have a night where all the food is WLS-friendly and our dates have to adjust. Let's have a night with some good dancing. Let's have a night of taking photos with friends (and making new friends to take photos with!). Let's give ourselves this one night where we can take a moment and appreciate the wonderful thing we've done for ourselves in reclaiming our health and lives.

So let's do this! You with me? If so, use the link below to get your tickets. Early Bird sales end June 15!

Get your Early Bird Tickets!