Woman, 67, still competing in body building competitions

HOUSTON

Dee Lazard will be the first to tell you age is just a number.

"I'm 67 years old," she said.

And at 67, Lazard is in the best shape of her life -- a physical wonder who's defied all stereotypes of what a woman her age is supposed to look like.

"They see age, they know I'm not a kid and they see muscles so they think that those days are over with but no, it's a lifestyle," she said.

She is 132 pounds of solid lean muscle with 14-inch biceps and a 26-inch waist. And her body fat is just 4.5 percent.

"I feel great," Lazard said.

This great grandma is a personal trainer who teaches fitness boot camp. Participants who are a lot younger than she is can barely keep up with her.

"We look at her and think how does she do it and hope that one day I look that good when I'm her age," participant Rachel Roberts said.

"It is my inspiration, and coming in and not being anywhere near that fit, she has made it so fun for me that I never miss class." participant Laura Pang said.

You wouldn't know it by looking at her, but Lazard came from a family where everyone was overweight.

"I was the only one who just decided no, I want to be free to be mobile and do exactly what I wanted," she said.

She has always been fit, but 12 years ago, at the age of 55, Lazard became a competitive body builder and entered her very first contest.

"I think I'm the oldest one on stage all the time, so they gave me the name -- 'the ageless wonder,'" she said.

Since then, she has placed in or won numerous competitions, and her collection of medals and awards is staggering.

"At least 40 because I would do three contests a year," Lazard said.

Aside from training, Lazard is a huge believer in vitamins and supplements; her kitchen cabinets are jammed packed with them. Lazard avoids sugar and processed foods and sticks to a "clean diet" that's loaded with lean protein, whole grains and vegetables. She eats five small meals a day. That's her secret.

"If they want to feel young, look young, be fit -- it's as a lifestyle, get off the couch, go exercise, go lift weights and eat decent," Lazard said.

While most people her age are thinking about slowing down, Lazard is still going strong.

Lazard says she'll continue on as competitive body builder until her body says it's time to quit.

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