Yes, Paul Roberts dropped 30 lbs. during his year-long fitness challenge. And yes, he reduced his body fat by 5 percent. And yes, he lost an impressive 5 ¾ inches from his waist.

But for the Bear resident and his wife of 19 years, Bonni, perhaps the most meaningful results are these: He no longer snores and his wedding ring fits once again. For these contributions to their wedded bliss, the Robertses are indebted to Arianne Missimer and the personal trainers at her Core Fitness center in Wilmington.

Twelve months ago, the 43-year-old Roberts was among about 50 candidates who submitted their health profiles and reasons they wanted to make a long-term health change to Out & About. At 6’4” and about 285 lbs., Roberts had suffered through two back surgeries—a lumbar fusion in 1998 and a cervical fusion in 2002—was under dietary restrictions due to high blood pressure and kidney stones, was tired much of the time, and didn’t sleep well.

After narrowing down the contestants to three for a final interview, Missimer chose Roberts because of his positive attitude and desire to change his lifestyle. She put him through some initial tests and measurements, then set up an exercise and diet regimen. The exercises emphasized core strength and stabilizers, and the diet focused on small, frequent meals, each containing both protein and carbohydrates, with the proper ratio of nutrients and amounts of the various food groups.

Roberts took to the program with the fervor of a religious convert. As he got thinner, stronger, and more flexible, Missimer kept upping the ante with more difficult exercises. She adjusted his diet a few times, even increasing his carloric intake recently to overcome a plateau, which resulted in a nearly 1 percent body-fat loss in the final month.

Roberts became such a good pupil that he decided to become a teacher. With Missimer’s encouragement, he began studying for certification as a personal trainer. In November, he passed the test and is now certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. The credit-card-campaign manager for Barclays is now a part-time trainer at Core and already has two clients.

Missimer says that Roberts’ story of “Fitness for a Year, Change for a Lifetime”—as the name of the contest suggested—“proves that if you commit your mind to your health, your body will follow. Personally, this has been a rewarding and valuable experience as a trainer. And, of course, Core Fitness gained a new trainer, and most importantly, a friend.”

Roberts is even more effusive: “This experience has changed my life. I’m extremely grateful for everything Arianne has done for me. I don’t think she could have imagined that this promotion would have such a profound impact on my life.”