Member Spotlight: Alek Darson

Alek started his fitness journey like many others back in January of this year. At that time, he knew it was time to make a change. He was weighing in around 240lbs, the most he has ever weighed, and felt sluggish and unmotivated.

This wasn’t the first time Alek had tried to make changes in regards to his weight. In the past he had mostly just dieted to lose weight but ultimately didn’t stick with it long term and felt like when he did lose weight this way, he did not look healthy.

He also tried joining gyms a few times in the past as well but again had trouble sticking with it long term.

This time he knew he needed some extra accountability if he was going to stick with it to make the changes he wanted to and he enlisted the help of a personal trainer at G&M Fitness.

“Having Aaron for accountability was a difference maker, especially in the first 3 months. I knew 100% I wouldn’t have kept it up without him.”

Aleks goals were to stop deteriorating his body and get fit for getting back on stage as a musician. He also realized he was just eating for entertainment and needed to change that.

“Getting my diet under control was also difficult in the first 3 months. I even went up a little bit in weight at the beginning but we were able to find a good place with my eating that gave me consistent and sustainable weight loss.”

To date, Alek has lost 40lbs in 8 months, and that doesn’t tell the whole story as his weight has gone down 40lbs but he has also added a significant amount of muscle as well putting his total fat loss at even more than 40lbs.

“I haven’t felt this good about my physique ever. When I look in the mirror, I can’t help but notice how much I have changed.”

Alek is proud of his progress and how long he has been able to stick with it this time around with the help of his trainer.

“I have no plans of stopping now, I’m just going to keep going.”

“I feel better and carry myself differently. I stand up straighter and physically everything is easier now.”

Alek has also gained a lot of strength through his workouts saying one of his favourite accomplishments is getting to 2 plates (90lbs) on each side of the incline chest press machine after starting out with just 25lbs.

Alek has proven just how important being consistent really is as he has accomplished all of this from committing only 2 days a week to the gym.

“I feel like I’ve done the bare minimum that anyone can do but it has been amazing what I’ve been able to accomplish.”

That is the power of consistency.

Alek said had he not started back in January he probably would have continued to gain more weight, just continuing down the same bad road.

Alek also had a previous shoulder issue that lingered around as well as some minor lower back issues that would flare up from time to time that he no longer has any issues with and says he even forgets that he had them at all.

Aleks advice is that the gym component is really important.

“At least show up to the gym and then go from there. It’s so much better then trying to do it with just diet. The results are quicker and you will feel way better. I highly recommend it.”

Congratulations Alek on everything you have accomplished! What an inspiring and relatable story! Keep up the good work!