Today, we have a guest interview with Alex Bath, a Rocky Mountain Flex member whose story of body recomposition is incredibly motivating. In our interview, Alex opens up about her personal victories and challenges, shedding light on what has worked for her and the hurdles she’s faced along the way. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work and consistency in achieving fitness goals. Alex’s journey is sure to motivate and encourage anyone on their own fitness journey.
What motivated you to join RMFLEX and start your transformation journey, which can include goals, an upcoming event you wanted to work towards, a breaking point, etc.?
I started at RMFLEX because I had just moved to Denver from western Colorado, and I knew I wanted to join a gym and try weightlifting. I was inspired by creators online who spoke about all the benefits of lifting and promoted it as a form of exercise that didn’t suck (i.e. hours of cardio) I wanted to try weightlifting because I thought I would enjoy it and I wanted to see if body recomposition would really work for me.
I wouldn’t say I was at a breaking point because I have been on a journey of self-acceptance and self-love for a long time, but I knew that there was room for growth in my physical fitness. From the beginning, I knew that if I went into this to try to get as small as possible, it wouldn’t work or be sustainable, that is what I had always done, and I was ready to try something different.
What does your workout program look like and how has it differed from other fitness programs or gyms you've tried? Do you work with a trainer or a gym buddy?
My workout current split:
Monday: chest, shoulders, and triceps
Tuesday: Legs
Wednesday: back and biceps
Thursday: Deadlifts with some other upper body movements
Friday: legs again
I also do 20 – 30 minutes of cardio every day, usually a combination of the stair master and the treadmill. I don’t work out with a trainer or a friend, but when I first started, I did have one session with Yosef, and he helped me focus on stability movements and helped me figure out how to brace my core for heavier lifts in the future.
My workout routine is completely different from anything else I’ve done because in the past I would focus on high-intensity, high heart rate, workouts (like a HIIT) class, which actually felt harder because of the lack of breaks. Now, my lifts take a longer time because I pause between sets to recover.
What specific changes have you noticed in your health and fitness since joining RMFLEX?
My overall health has improved greatly since joining, and I know that physically, I’ve gone through a significant body recomposition. But I would say that mentally, I have grown and changed more. I have struggled with body image for years and I finally feel like I’ve built the body I am comfortable and confident in. This has helped my confidence immensely, not only in how I look but in the mental confidence that I can do hard things and stick to something long-term. I have been going to the gym 5 days a week and have rarely missed a workout.
Were there any particular challenges you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest thing that I had to overcome when going to the gym was the imposter syndrome I was feeling. I think it’s safe to say that one of the things that keeps people from sticking to a gym routine is feeling like everyone is watching them, feeling unsure about what they’re doing in the gym, or feeling very exposed. I experienced that as well in the beginning, but I knew that those feelings would fade if I stuck to it.
How has the support and community at RMFLEX helped you stay motivated?
I have found many accepting, kind, friendly, and curious people at the gym. One of my favorite parts about going to the gym is seeing the progress that other people are making alongside me. I have on many occasions asked a trainer or someone who looks like they know what they’re doing a question about form, equipment, etc. I have only been met with kind supportive words. As a woman, it is inspiring to see so many strong, muscular women working out.
Can you share what a day of healthy eating looks like or your favorite healthy snacks/treats that help you stay on track?
As a person who has struggled with disordered eating for many years of their life, eating is the hardest part for me. What has helped me is knowing that food is the fuel that will ignite your life. I try to eat a high protein diet so that I don’t feel hungry throughout the day, but I also know that I am a volume eater, so I try to have low-calorie options that I can eat a bunch of if I feel snacky.
A typical day of eating could look like egg whites and a banana for breakfast, some variety of chicken and rice, or tuna and rice with a veggie for lunch, a protein shake or some other variety of protein as a snack, and some kind of protein and carb for dinner.
It’s not a science and I try not to track things (calories/ macros) too closely for my mental health. With that being said, I have learned how to intuitively eat and eat until I am satisfied, but not stuffed. But the most important thing I would like to emphasize is that unless you are training for a bodybuilding show, extreme restriction or clean eating is not sustainable, at least for me. I enjoy my sweet treats and don’t feel guilt or shame over food. It’s just food and it’s not that deep, if you’re putting in the work at the gym and eating well 80% of the time, you’ll be just fine.
How do you feel your transformation has impacted other areas of your life?
My transformation has given me the confidence to be my most authentic self in all aspects of my life. I think I’m the most outgoing, happy, boisterous version of myself at this point. I think investing time in your physical health is great for aesthetics and confidence, but you also get to see how people treat others based on their physical appearance. So, it’s a double-edged sword, and maybe knowing this will help others have some extra compassion and empathy for others who are just beginning their journey.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting their fitness journey?
For anyone who wants to start at the gym, my recommendation is to do a little research as to what you want your routine to look like (or hire a personal trainer) so you have a plan to follow when you get there. I would also say that although going into a new gym can be intimidating, everyone is there for the same reason, and no one is thinking anything about you being there. Take up space, talk to people, and, most importantly, make it fun! That is how going to the gym every day becomes sustainable, you have to like what you’re doing. Get good headphones and a good playlist 🙂 Also, at the beginning of your journey, give yourself grace and focus on one thing at a time. Big, life-altering overhauls of exercise and diets were not sustainable for me.
How do you see your fitness goals evolving in the future, and how will RMFLEX continue to be a part of that journey?
Moving forward, I am going to continue to build my physique and continue getting stronger. I think that there is the potential for me to try and compete in a bodybuilding show at some point down the line, but that is a long way off. I am also interested in learning some Olympic lifts in the future.
We are so grateful to Alex for being vulnerable and telling her personal story. It takes courage to get out of your comfort zone and make changes to improve yourself, and she did it. Make sure to give Alex a high five and words of encouragement next time you see her in the gym!
If you are ready to make a change in your health but aren’t sure where to start, you might benefit from working with one of our certified personal trainers. Working with a personal trainer can help you create a fitness plan that’s tailored to help you reach your goals and it’s a great way to build confidence by getting familiar with the equipment in the gym. Another great place to start is by taking one of our free group fitness classes!
