Living the Good Life

Bob Soltis transformed 31 long years of bad eating and exercise habits to win the Best Body Spokesperson Contest and inspire people of all ages to build their best bodies

By Sue Mosebar, Executive Editor

For 31 years, Bob Soltis stopped by the local 7-11 to pick up a cup of coffee and a glazed chocolate donut on his way to work. Every single morning.

Well, sometimes he'd change it up and have a chocolate long john instead.

For lunch, he had a small school lunch. Whatever they were serving.

At dinner, he pigged out on a really huge meal. Every night.

Then, he'd crash on the couch watching TV, often falling asleep around 8:00, and get up to start it all over again.

For 31 years.

He did work out though. Maybe he'd hit the weights three or four times in a week. But then he'd take a week off. Or maybe a month, depending on his schedule.

Bob explains, "I've been around gyms and weight rooms and health clubs most of my life. But the problem was I never made a commitment. When I did work out, it was kind of a hit or miss thing."

Bob shares that he didn't know a lot about nutrition. In fact, he's now embarrassed to admit that he didn't even know the difference between a protein and a carb. So it never really occurred to him his eating habits were all that bad. And keep in mind, Bob was a physical education teacher and coach!

Since Bob has retired, that's all changed.

Maybe it was the change in the climate when Bob moved from Illinois to Arizona. Or maybe it was just because he was now retired and really loving his life. But this ex-educator got a serious education in fitness, nutrition, and exercise.

Transformation of a Skeptic

It all started when a buddy of Bob's introduced him to a popular magazine at the time (in the year 2000) called Muscle Media®.

Bob read the articles and was intrigued. So, he picked up a copy of Bill Phillips' new book, which he read about in the magazine, called Body-for-LIFE. He skimmed through it quickly.

Unfortunately, while looking at the photos, Bob just didn't believe it was possible to make such a huge transformation. He certainly didn't believe this could be done in 12 weeks. There's no way those people hadn't been working out for months. Or maybe even years, he thought.

Though still skeptical, three years later, Bob decided to give it a try anyway.

In May of 2003, Bob's weight had escalated to over 200 lbs, and he was desperate to drop some pounds and feel better about himself, so he entered the Body-for-LIFE Challenge.

Still, Bob had never set any goals in his life, and he didn't see any reason to start now. And though he did complete the Challenge with moderate success, he admits he wasn't all that committed, and he didn't really work out hard or follow the nutrition plan closely.

But he was bound to have some success just by dropping his daily donut habit. And this experience also planted the seed that maybe the progress he saw in the book and those old magazines might even be possible...

The Right Contest at the Right Time

Though Bob had enjoyed some initial success with the Body-for-LIFE program, after two hernia surgeries within one year, like many of us do when we encounter "challenges," he had "slipped back" into some pretty bad nutrition habits, and as he was recovering from the operations, he also couldn't work out. So his weight was escalating again—up to a high of 193 lbs.

Bob found that he wasn't feeling too good about himself.

"There came a point when I couldn't fit into my size 38 trousers," he says. "As a result, I hated myself for letting that happen, and I just sat down one day and said I have to do something about it.

"That's when I made the commitment to compete in iSatori's Best Body Contest. Honestly, it wasn't until I decided to do the Best Body Spokesperson Contest that I really worked hard at exercising and following a quality nutrition plan and taking supplements."

As the winner of the Best Body Spokesperson Contest Bob will enjoy tons of prizes, supplements, and a trip to the beautiful Casa Del Mar Health Spa in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico.

Bob adds that a great deal of his motivation is because he's now retired, and he simply enjoys his lifestyle so much. "I like to play golf. I travel a lot. And for me to continue living the good life, I need to be healthy. And if I'm going to stay healthy, I need to eat right, exercise regularly, and take the proper supplements and vitamins to nourish my body," he explains.

Bob also finds a great deal of inspiration from the people he works out with at his gym, Mountainside Fitness in Chandler, Arizona. "I work out in the morning at 7:30, and I see many of the same people there every day. A lot of these people still work for a living. If these people, who are working full time and taking care of families with young children, can come to the gym every day, why can't I?" he asks. "Seeing them really keeps me motivated."

Another thing that keeps Bob motivated is the number of compliments he receives. "People are always asking me, 'How old are you?' They're surprised when I tell them 68 years young. And the most common response is [Ed.: which was also our response at Real SOLUTIONS when we saw Bob's pictures], 'Well, I hope I look as good as you when I'm your age.'

Bob also stayed motivated by meticulously keeping track of his progress every week. He shares, "Each week, the progress wasn't that great. But at the end of eight weeks, it sure added up and made a big difference."

Goals Set: Goals Accomplished (and Then Some)

For the first time in his life, Bob set specific goals for what he wanted to accomplish. He decided on three goals for the eight-week contest.

First, he would lose 12 lbs of bodyfat and reduce his bodyfat percentage by eight percent.

Second, he would reduce his waistline by a full two inches.

Third, he would increase his muscle mass by seven percent.

Eight weeks later, Bob took his final measurements. He had not only lost 12 lbs; he had lost 15. He had not only lost two inches from his waist; he had lost 2 3/4. He didn't quite reach his goal of losing eight percent bodyfat and gaining seven percent muscle. But he did lose seven percent fat and gain five percent muscle.

"I'm just thoroughly pleased with the results," Bob shares. "I keep having to buy smaller trousers. At the start of the program, I was wearing a size 38 trouser, and I went all the way down to a size 34."

And the judges of the iSatori/Real SOLUTIONS Best Body Spokesperson Contest were so impressed with his results, Bob was chosen as the Contest Winner for 2006... so he'll get tons of prizes, supplements, and a trip to the beautiful Casa Del Mar Health Spa in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico (where he'll meet up with Editor, Stephen Adele, for four days of fun, relaxing on the beach, and spectacular dining!)

But even more important for Bob are some of the inner changes that have taken place. "I gained a lot more self-confidence. My self-image and self-esteem is probably at an all-time high, and I smile a lot more. I really do," he explains. "I've always been on the quiet side. But as I was doing the Best Body Spokesperson Contest and started seeing results, I became a little more outgoing, and I probably talk more now than I ever have before!"

Bob has also enjoyed watching how his transformation has improved other aspects of his life: with golfing, he hits the ball farther than he ever did before! This puts him at quite an advantage when he plays with some of his friends because, as one ages, their distance typically declines. But not in Bob's case.

"It's because of the strength I've gained, and I also do a lot of stretching exercises, so while I've increased my muscle size in my upper body and increased my strength, I've also increased my flexibility. This program certainly has helped my golf game," he exclaims.

He's also delighted by his new energy levels. Bob says he's never tired now. A lot of his friends have to take a nap in the afternoon. But Bob never needs a nap. And the days when he used to fall asleep on the couch at 8:00 p.m. are long gone. While his friends hit the sack early, Bob has no problem staying up until 10:00 or 10:30 in the evenings.

"Some people think if they go to the gym in the morning and workout, they're going to be tired the rest of the day," Bob says. "But that isn't the case. It gives me energy for the rest of the day!"

In addition, Bob's health has improved dramatically. Both his blood pressure and cholesterol levels are now in the normal range. This will help Bob accomplish some of his long-term goals. "I really enjoy my lifestyle. And I want to be around for many more years to continue to live the good life. This may sound silly, but I have a long-term goal to outlive Jack LaLanne, who's currently 93 years old," Bob shares.

To remind him of the importance of exercise and eating right to his health and reaching his long-term goals, Bob has posted a quote in his den, which he reads every day: "Those who don't take time for fitness will be forced to make time for illness."

Bob says, "I certainly don't want to get ill."

Sharing Inspiration

Now that Bob has accomplished his goals, he hopes to inspire others to follow in his footsteps. He started with his daughter, who now follows in Bob's footsteps for her healthy lifestyle.

He also shares his newfound enthusiasm with friends. In fact, two of his buddies just recently came down from Illinois for a visit. Both of them were out of shape, so Bob told them about winning the Best Body Spokesperson Contest and showed them his Before and After pictures.

Now, they are motivated and are going to get started on their programs as soon as they get home. Bob even helped them take their Before photos and set their goals during their trip. "And I'm going to hold them to it!" says Bob.

But they won't be doing it alone.

"It took only eight weeks to convince a true skeptic the power of goal setting, serious motivation, and a proper exercise and nutrition program."

Bob explained that he hasn't reached his full genetic potential, and he's going to keep working out. "I told them I still have a few more inches to lose around my waist, and I've been working at it," he continues.

Bob's next goal is to talk his two sons into transforming their lifestyles.

From Skeptic to Believer

It took only eight weeks to convince a true skeptic the power of goal setting, serious motivation, and a proper exercise and nutrition program. Now Bob is totally convinced: it can be done!

"I did it in eight weeks," Bob shares.

"It can be done if you follow a structured plan, set realistic goals, plan your meals, and plan your workouts. I'm a good example of what can be accomplished. And if I can do this transformation, I believe anyone can. I'm an ordinary person just like anyone else. But you have to have a plan. You have to be motivated.

"People have told me I'm an inspiration to them because of what I have accomplished, and I have a good work ethic in the gym. And I'm not going to change anything. I'm going to continue eating right. I'm going to continue working out on a regular basis. And I'm healthy right now, and I want to continue this good health."

I asked Bob if he ever misses the donuts, and he answered, "Before, I would put anything in my mouth. But that all has changed, and I will never, ever, ever go back to that way of eating. You could give me a million dollars, and I would never do that. I'm on the right track right now, and God willing, I hope to continue this way of life for a long time to come—for the rest of my life.

"I'm a much happier person. I'm more outgoing than I ever have been. And I enjoy my life. My clothes fit so much better. My self-image is at an all-time high. And I'm just living the good life. And I guess I have to thank God for that. But if I didn't exercise and eat right, I don't know where I'd be today."

A Day in the Life of Bob

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