Over the past year, Rocky Mountain Flex member AJ has lost 110 lbs, going from 322 lbs to 212 lbs. But for him, the biggest changes go far beyond the number on the scale.
After dealing with some concerning health issues at age 33, AJ knew it was time to make a change. He started working with RMFLEX personal trainer Reid Wilson, and a year later, training has become a regular part of his life. He’s stronger, more confident, and says he has been able to come off the medications he was taking when he started.
We interviewed AJ to find out what motivated him to get started, what he’s learned along the way, and how working with Reid helped change his relationship with the gym. We hope you enjoy this inspiring transformation story!
You’ve lost 110 lbs over the past year, going from 322 lbs to 212 lbs. What finally made you decide it was time to make a change?
It was about my health. A little over a year ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and had a hypertensive crisis, high cholesterol, and was borderline diabetic at 33. When my doc told me that and put me on medication, I knew it was time for a change because I didn’t want to be on medications for the rest of my life.
You’ve talked about struggling with your weight for most of your life. Before starting this journey, how was your weight affecting you physically and mentally in everyday life?
I’ve always been a bigger guy, and during high school and college, I was still big, but I was active. I played football, wrestled, did summer volleyball, hiked regularly, and snowboarded or skied every weekend in the winter. It wasn’t until I graduated college and sat in front of a computer for work that things really started to change. Then, during COVID, it got worse, and after that, I got so big that I started to isolate myself and didn’t like going out. I wouldn’t say I was depressed, but I definitely wasn’t happy with myself. Just tying my shoes caused me to get winded, and I avoided using the stairs because I’d only make it one flight before I was wheezing, drenched in sweat, and would give up and find the elevator.
What made you decide to hire a personal trainer, and how did you end up working with Reid?
The decision was easy. I knew that after years and years of not being active, I couldn’t do it without some help and needed someone to push me and help keep me motivated. I think I spoke with 5 or 6 different trainers around Denver before finding Reid’s RMFF profile and meeting with him.
What was it about Reid’s coaching style that clicked for you, and how has he helped change the way you think about exercise?
I decided to work with him because of his personality and coaching style. I could tell he was the kind of guy to hype a person up and would push me to the limit, but he also motivates and supports his clients. Even at my largest, when we first started training together, and for the first 3-4 months when I was getting sick during every session, he was still hyping me up, wouldn’t let me give up, and helped me change my way of thinking about working out and myself. He helped me focus on the things I did like about my body and what I was good at in the gym. Because of him, I actually enjoy getting in the gym. I asked him to program more days for me, and now I do at least an hour of weightlifting 5 days a week and cardio 7. Working out no longer feels like a chore. It’s something I look forward to.
What does a typical training session with Reid look like, and how has your program evolved as you’ve lost weight and gotten stronger?
I do 2 in-person sessions a week and 3 independent days he programs for me, in addition to my 7 days of cardio, and we alternate every 4 weeks or so between hypertrophy and strength training. For the most part, our sessions are pretty consistent, and right now, in-person sessions are leg days and my independent days are upper body and core workouts. But if I ever need to switch cause I feel I’m struggling with some upper body stuff, we do. And in-person sessions are always fun. We go hard, but we’re both social guys, so we talk shit to each other, joke around, and have become friends. Since losing 110 pounds, the cardio has decreased some and we’ve started to focus on body recomposition. He pushes me harder (though I also push myself harder), and now that I’m more comfortable with working out and feel confident in the gym, he’s started giving me a choice of similar exercises that I’d like to do, such as a pendulum squat or hack squat, instead of just saying this is what we’re going to do.
What is something Reid has taught you that has really stuck with you, especially during times when motivation was low or progress felt slow?
To focus on the things I like about myself and the workouts I feel comfortable doing. He taught me that working out can be as simple as inclined walking and that I don’t have to do everything, especially if I’m unsure of it. Basically, find what works for you and stick with it to form the habit, then throw in different exercises. Oh, and just getting in the gym is half the battle.
What has Reid helped you accomplish that you don’t think you would have been able to do on your own?
Haha, all of it! I learned that I’m a social gym-goer, so even though I like to come in and focus on my workout, I still need that social aspect. Without having someone to push and motivate me, talk to, and hype me up, I would’ve given up after the first month. I honestly didn’t think losing even 30 pounds was possible, but then I hit that goal, then 50 pounds, and now I’m down over 100. And it may not seem like much to many, but I never would’ve been able to deadlift 300 pounds, let alone do 5 sets of 6. And without his encouragement, an hour of cardio without stopping or 15 minutes on the stair master seemed impossible.
Nutrition has also been a big part of your transformation. What have you learned about eating for weight loss, and what does a typical day of eating look like for you now?
This was by far the hardest because I’ve always had a complicated relationship with food, and I’d snack all day and would eat fast food all the time. I still eat fast food, but now it’s an occasional treat, and the majority of my food/snacks are fruits and veggies and lean proteins. Since losing the weight, I don’t focus as much on the day-to-day calories and daily deficit and now look at it week by week. But because I’ve moved to building muscle and body recomp, I pay a lot more attention to my protein intake.
You used a GLP-1 during the first part of your journey and have now been off of it for several months. What helped you continue making progress and staying consistent after coming off of it?
I did use a GLP-1 to kickstart my journey, but I knew I didn’t want to be dependent on it. My goal was to be able to get off all of my medications, and I’m proud to say I accomplished that. I knew I had to form good habits, though, and that meant getting comfortable making healthy eating decisions and becoming confident in the gym. Once I did, it was easy to continue those behaviors when I stopped the GLP-1. It was all about good habits and consistency.
Beyond losing 110 lbs, what changes have you noticed in your health and everyday life? This could include energy, strength, mobility, confidence, clothing, health markers or medications.
My strength has definitely increased, but better than that, I’m sleeping better, have more energy and focus, my hormone levels are better, and maybe too much information, haha, but my libido has increased. I also love the clothing options I have now. There’s not a lot of great options when you’re 300+ pounds. I’ve also noticed that people treat me differently. They treat me better, and the added attention and compliments don’t hurt either.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the past year, and what helped you work through them?
Just sticking with it was the biggest challenge. There were a lot of days, even now, that I didn’t want to work out, but I promised myself and Reid that I may want to quit, but I would only slow down or take an easy day, but I would never give up. And Reid really helped me through those days. I’d still come in for our session, tell him how I was feeling, and we’d adjust the workout for that day. Instead of lifting, we’d do something like mobility and flexibility. Having a trainer like Reid that understood my limits and was willing to adjust our sessions helped me enjoy the gym, and that helped me work through the challenges and keep going.
What has it been like seeing your body change, gaining muscle and being able to do things physically that may have been difficult for you a year ago?
Honestly, it’s been weird. I used to hate getting my picture taken, but just the other day I asked Reid to help me with some progress pics and found myself with my shirt off in the gym’s studio to take some. I never would’ve done that 100 pounds or even 50 pounds ago. I really love the way my upper body is shaping and filling out, and the compliments I’ve gotten have been a real ego and confidence booster.
What would you say to someone who has a significant amount of weight to lose and feels intimidated by walking into a gym or reaching out to a trainer?
Some people in this world are just a**holes. You have to accept that some people are going to care that you’re there and give you dirty looks, laugh, and make snide remarks. But the majority of the people in the gym will be supportive and encouraging. Trainers are there to help and support you, and other gym-goers will give you tips if they see you struggling. Ultimately, you have to make the decision for yourself to make the change and do the best you can to block out the negative and focus on the positive. Find a trainer that you vibe with. Don’t just pick the first one you meet. Know that they’ve probably seen and heard it all, and they really do want to see you succeed and accomplish your goals.
For someone considering working with Reid, what would you want them to know about him as a trainer?
He’s tough and will push you to do and be your best, but he’s also responsive to his clients and supportive. He’ll also become more than a trainer to you. He’ll become a friend and support system.
You’ve accomplished a huge goal, but you’ve also said you’re still building the body you want. What are you working toward next?
My immediate next goal is that I wanna build up more muscle, something like 20-30 pounds, and get up to 235-245. Some more long-term goals are being able to do the Manitou Incline, and eventually I’d like to do some type of strongman stuff (also another reason I chose Reid to be my trainer).
A huge congratulations to AJ on everything he’s accomplished over the past year. Losing 110 lbs is an incredible achievement, and we’re excited to see what he takes on next.
Thank you, AJ, for sharing your story with us and giving others a look at the work, consistency, and mindset that went into your transformation.
If AJ’s story has inspired you and you’re looking to transform your own health and fitness, contact Reid to learn more about personal training at Rocky Mountain Flex, located in Denver’s Baker neighborhood.
