Body Building Senior Article 3

Rock Solid - An Interview with Scott "Old Navy" Hults

Fitter for Life: How did you come by the moniker, "Old Navy"?

I joined the United States Navy Reserve when I was a junior in high school. I entered the service as a recruit in 1960. After I graduated from high school, I went on active duty in the Navy for two years and served on board an aircraft carrier operating off of Vietnam. After leaving active duty, I went to college, earning a bachelors and masters degree. When I received my masters degree, the Navy offered me a commission in the Navy Reserve. I accepted and for the next 27 years, I served as an officer and retired in 2003 as a Navy Captain, one rank below Admiral. So over the years, at my gym, the younger guys, knowing my military background, got to calling me Old Navy, and I guess it stuck.

FFL: Scott, you came to the competitive body-building scene later in life than most bodybuilders. Can you enlighten us as to how you came to be a bodybuilder and about some of your successes?

I always stayed fit as a Navy officer and have regularly worked out in a gym for more than 15 years. During that time, I managed to put on a little muscle, which as I grew older, was impressive for a man my age. One day, my wife of 26 years, commented that I looked good, and playfully said, "You should compete." I didn't believe my ears when I heard myself say, "OK, I will." So at the advanced age of 61, I began a ten-month training regimen that led me to my first competition in March, the 2005 NPC Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding Championship in Covington. I competed as a bantam weight and as a grand master 50+. I didn't do too well in my first contest, finishing six of six in bantam weights and 10th of 11 in grand master 50+. But I sure learned a lot.

I learned enough that, two-weeks later, in my second contest, I placed 3rd in the novice men's lightweight class, 3rd in the open men's short class and 1st in the super grand master 60+ class at the 2005 FAME Georgia S.N.B.F. in Marietta, a drug-tested contest. I tuned 62 three weeks after the show.

I followed that contest in Montgomery, Alabama at the 2005 FAME Capital Classic S.N.B.F., where I placed 6th in the open men's short class and 1st in super grand master 60+

Then it was on to the 2005 FAME WNSO World Championship in Toronto, Canada, featuring nearly 500 international athletes competing in fitness, figure, fitness modeling and bodybuilding. Based on qualifying by my wins at the 2005 FAME Georgia S.N.B.F., I entered the advanced open men's lightweight class (150 pounds) and placed 6th. I placed 3rd in the world in the super grand master 60+ class.

With only a week to go until my next contest, I worked hard to hold my cuts, definition and <4% body fat long enough to enter the 2005 NPC Southeastern Gold's Gym Classic in Gadsden, Alabama, one of the largest contests in the South. I placed 3rd in the open men's bantam weight class, 2nd in the grand master 50+ class and 1st in the super grand master 60+ class.

For my sixth and final contest in my first year of competition, I chose to enter the 2005 FAME Southern Open in Suwanee, Georgia. Looking the best I had all season, I placed 3rd in the open men's short class and 1st in the super grand master 60+ class. As an added bonus, later that evening, the judges called me on stage to award me the Best Male Poser in the competition trophy.

Of the six contests, I placed in five of them, bringing home a total of 11 trophies: four 1st place, one 2nd place, five 3rd place and one Best Male Poser. It was quite a championship year.

FFL: You have a history of diabetes in your family. What part, if any, did this play in your amazing body transformation?

Both my grand father and father died from complications of diabetes at an early age, my granddad at 64 and my father at 72. When I turned 50, I discovered I already had some of the symptoms of the disease and decided I was going to do everything I could to stop the onset of this killer. That's when I began watching my diet and began working out regularly. So far, I still have some of the symptoms, but not the disease.

FFL: Can you give us an idea of a typical week of training?

I go to the gym at 6:30 am Monday - Friday. I workout for 45 minutes and then do 15 - 20 minutes of abs and cardio. I work out no more than two body parts per day. On Saturday, I add a "fun day" and do an hour of what ever I want. Here is a typical weekly schedule:

Monday - back and biceps + abs and cardio
Tuesday - legs and calves + abs and cardio
Wednesday - chest and triceps + abs and cardio
Thursday - shoulders and biceps + abs and cardio
Friday - legs and calves + abs and cardio
Saturday - fun day (during the competitive season, I used this day for posing practice)

FFL: How do you find the time and energy for these high-intensity workouts? You must be retired.

I wish I was retired. I am a vice president for a multi-national communications organization where I manage three departments. Body building is a life-style sport. I get up every morning at 4:50 am so I can do my workouts before I go to the office. I prepare my meals the night before and take them with me in a soft-ice chest. I eat five meals a day. In the last 15 years, I have only missed one day of work due to illness. The only sign I have that lets my fellow workers know I am about to enter another contest is my tan. It's hard to hide a very dark tan in the middle of the winter.

FFL: Does the average person just wishing to improve his fitness and health need to exercise as much as you do?

If a person wants to stay fit and healthy, an exercise program with modest workouts and cardio three days a week is plenty. But for the program to be effective, they must have the discipline to work out at least that much.

FFL: What kind of diet allows you to get your percentage of body fat into the single digits and look as ripped as you do in your photo? AND what kind of a diet do you recommend for our reader who is just wanting to get a little fitter?

I eat raw meat! Just kidding. Actually, I eat a well-balanced diet, but I read the content labels on everything and make choices according to what stage of my training I'm in. For starters, I eat at least five times a day, with my meals spaced about 2 - 3 hours between meals. I consume lots of egg whites (cooked), lean beef and turkey, fish, chicken, salads and green vegetables. Two of my meals consist of protein shakes made with protein power and water. I eat very little "fat" foods, such as ice cream, cakes, pies, pastry, cookies, chocolate, chips, dips, or any kind of "fast food."

FFL: What about supplements? What role do they play?

If you are just looking to stay trim, you can accomplish it with a moderate diet and exercise program. A well balanced meal plan goes a long way when you add multi-vitamins, protein shakes, low carb snack bars, and a good supply of water intake.

FFL: Did you succeed on your own or did you seek some assistance form others? How important is the support and help of others in competing in bodybuilding and to staying with any fitness program?

When I decided to train for my first bodybuilding competition I had help from three sources: First and most important was my wife. She agreed to support my training and diet requirements and didn't have a problem when she sat down to pasta and egg plant while I sat down to tilapia and spinach. We shared every dinner, but our menus were always different. Second, I worked with a personal trainer who had more than 15 years of competitive bodybuilding experience and 10 years experience as a bodybuilding competition judge. My trainer showed me how to go through the rigorous workouts required to build muscle while not injuring my 60+ year-old bones, muscles and tendons. Third, was my supplement company, Beverly International Nutrition in Cold Spring, Kentucky. I became a Beverly client-athlete and used their supplements and diet advice exclusively for my entire first year of competition. Beverly designs supplements for bodybuilders and fitness competitors. Their staff consists of former and current competitors and the president and founders are also former competitors. I followed their advice and it proved to be very sound.

FFL: What role does rest and sleep play in keeping your amazing physique in top shape?

That's a tough question. I don't get as much sleep as I probably need. I get up every morning at 4:50, hit the gym by 6:30, finish my workout by 7:45, arrive at my office by 8:30, leave the office by 5:30, have dinner with my wife at 6:30, spend time doing things around the house until 10:00 and usually get to sleep by 10:30. And, since I drink so much water during my training, I get up at least two times each night. So, I have managed to do all of that, while training for and competing in six bodybuilding competitions in my first year and I feel great. I look great. I haven't missed a day's work in years and I still have time to read my newspapers, trade journals, bodybuilding magazines and play on the Internet. I don't think this is schedule is normal, but so far, it has worked for me. I'm still alive.

FFL: What would you like to tell our readers about the mental aspects of your program?

Deciding to train to be a competitive bodybuilder is a life-style decision. It requires dedication, devotion, determination, grit, guts, and a willingness to make sacrifices. You really can't be a competitive body builder and champion golfer at the same time. You have to make choices. You have to decide to go to the gym to workout when you would rather sleep in. When you go out to dinner with friends, they have to understand why you are drinking water and they are drinking martinis, you are eating broiled fish with lemon and a side of vegetables and they are eating steak, a baked potato, bread, appetizers and desert. And you have to ignore those who think you are nuts for doing something like this and you have to humbly thank those who compliment you and marvel at your success.

FFL: What advice do you have for the individual just thinking about getting started in a fitness program? Any advice for those already working out?

Set your goals. Make them realistic. Don't just say, "I want to lose weight," or"I want to gain some muscle." Be specific. "I want to lose 10 pounds in two months." "I want to add an inch to my chest." "I want to lose two inches from my waist." Then, dedicate the time needed to accomplish your goals. Try to workout at the same time each day. Try to work out at least three times a week. Don't work out at home. You will always find reasons not to go to the basement to run on your treadmill, or lift weights on your bench. Go to a gym with lots of good equipment and a strong cardio program. Hire a personal trainer if you can, to help you get started. You can learn a lot in 12 sessions. Then, stay with your program and after you achieve your goal, set a new one, achieve that one and then another new one. Soon you will get into a routine that will change your life for the better.

FFL: Do you recommend other 50 and 60-year-olds get into competitive bodybuilding?

Absolutely, I need the competition. I'm waiting for you. More and more bodybuilding organizations are adding grand master 50+ and super grand master 60+ classes to their competitions. Not too many years ago, the only "older" class was master 40+. As older adults are healthier these days and are living longer, more and more of them are training to enter these competitions for the first time. Some are former runners; others just work out at the gym and get the bug. At one of my shows this season, the super grand master 60+ class had a competitor who was 77 years-old. The audience gave him a huge ovation as he went though his poses. He didn't win the class but he won the hearts of everyone in the audience, including me.

FFL: Scott, this has been an eye-opener for many of us. Thanks so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to let us pick your brain. Any final thoughts?

One of the reasons I am competing in bodybuilding competitions is to show my contemporaries that, despite personal ailments you might have, there's no reason you can't stay fit and lead a vigorous life style at any age. You don't have to become a bodybuilder like me, but you do need to put down the TV remote, get yourself to a gym and stay fit.

I am now training for my second year of competition. I plan to compete in six to 10 contests next year when I am 63. During the next six months, my goal is to add 30 pounds of lean mass, work the new weight vigorously in the gym and in January, begin a 13-week competition diet that will strip about 22 pounds of the lean mass weight I gained, leaving me with eight pounds of new competitive muscle. One of my goals is to enter the only contest where I failed to place last year and to finish in the top five in both my weight class and my age class. I also want to return to the world championships in Toronto, where I placed six in my weight class and third in the world in my age class. My goal there is to stand on the stage with the top five in my weight class and win the world championship in my age class. I will work diligently to achieve these personal goals.

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