Trash

Nice to be back using Blogger!  I haven't had a moan for a while so I decided to have one today, only to find that the Wordpress blogging thing isn't working, so now I have two reasons to moan which has actually cheered me up! Ironic I know, and also I got stuck in a traffic jam when I was already late so maybe that song is insightful after all?  Anyway, today's rant, after three years and over 214,000 views YouTube have decided that one of my videos infringes some copyright law and have banned it in some countries!  I think that the horse may have bolted some time ago and the stable door is rusted open?  Here is a link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVo9ypWDztg best watch it now before they ban it wherever you are!

Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry

Firstly an apology.  I did not know that so many people followed my blog via the Blogger website, I've had a few people email me and ask if I'm ok as I've posted nothing on here for a few weeks. Thank you for your concern, yes I'm absolutely fine but the blog has been moved as my new gym has really taken off well so the blog is now part of my gyms website, therefore this will be my last post using Blogger.  It's now all done through Wordpress, here's a link http://www.peakfitnessgym.co.uk/kevanwilson/category/blog/ don't ask me why we had to change it, when my genius IT man Leigh speaks I just listen and pretend to understand, because he's a website expert and I'm only a simple bodybuilder so the system works very well!  Anyway, the blog is still accessible with one click from the front page of my new look website which Leigh also did, my website is now part of the gym website.  Please have a look www.kevanwilson.com I'm really pleased with it.  Right, I'll get back to bodybuilding blogs tomorrow as there is lots of good news to report!

Mid Life Crisis

I spent my 55th Birthday quad biking in the Sinai desert, it was one of the best Birthday treats I’ve ever been given. It was great fun and I really enjoyed it, not so much of a mid-life crisis thing to do - I’m way past the middle of my life - it was more like one more thing done from my “bucket list”.  Along with creating the gym that I’ve always wanted, being a gym owner and making the house that I’ve always wanted to live in, the last 6 months since I gave up competing have been quite successful in ticking things off of that list. In fact what with all of my coaching protégés doing so well another thing will be soon gone from the list and I’ll be looking for another challenge. Several people have recently dropped hints about competing again for one of the federations that now have an “Over 55’s” category and my supplements sponsor LA Muscle have said that they are fully behind me if I decide to do it which makes it's very tempting but I’m really not considering it seriously…………. well not yet anyway.

Desert Rose

It was back to gym business as soon as I got home on Wednesday and that meant filming another workout for The Active Channel and one of my sponsors, LA Muscle. I've now filmed 3 workouts for the series which will be called "Peak Physique workouts" here's a trailer for the first one

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=10152322733949029&set=vb.40647904028&type=2&theater

and the next one will be in May with PPF member & rising star Emma Tassou and my good friend Martin Stevenson who finally managed to visit me at PPF today.  My years of training with Martin at Olney Health & Fitness taught me a lot and it will be great to do some TV work with him.  Here's another picture from my Egypt trip, which proves that there's never a wrong time to do a quick double biceps pose, although it did give the camel the hump!

Goody Two Shoes

Had a few days coaching abroad and decided to read a book on the flight out. I found “Pride and Prejudice” on my tablet, but as soon as I read the first sentence “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” I laughed, realised that based on an opening statement like that it was going to be nonsense and quickly gave up on the book! It’s becoming a common thing for busy professionals to use their holidays to get fitter and healthier and there is nothing better than morning cardio on the beach. I enjoy coaching away from home and so many hotels these days have good gyms for morning training and excellent facilities for afternoon recovery that I think the trend will continue.  Whilst away I educated my clients on all aspects of diet and exercise, I hope that they can take away that knowledge and improve their physiques and general health. One thing that many people adopt after a few days like this is my “don’t drink don’t smoke” policy, just doing those things alone will make a huge difference to a person’s long term health and also their bank balance!

I Believe I Can Fly

Excellent back session at PPF yesterday. As you can see from the photo, even though I'm permanently off season and drug free these days I'm managing to keep a decent physique, especially the "wings" that were my best feature when I competed. That is because without the pressure of constantly competing and now being able to eat properly rather than dieting strictly I have licence to try all sorts of new things in my workouts.  Nearly all of them work really well which means that I can then use the new methods when coaching my proteges.  I didn't make it to the "Hercules Olympia" as I had gym issues to deal with (oh the joys of being a gym owner) but I've heard good reports, so well done to everyone who competed.  The season is now well and truly underway so if you're going to compete at any time this year it's time to get serious.  Don't miss a workout and don't miss a meal, go to the gym on business, get into the best shape of your life and own the stage when you get up there.  Most of all believe in yourself, it's amazing what you can achieve if you do that simple thing!

Memories

Excellent feedback from yesterdays post! Can I say though, for the umpteenth time, that it's the athlete that does the work and the diet so they get all of the credit. As a coach I just guide people, they do the hard bit so they deserve all of the praise. In other news, today I was visited by 8 year old Harry, who I have known and loved since he was a baby.  He's grown into an amazing young man and he wants to learn to box, so today I gave him his first lesson.  It's 40 years since my first boxing lesson but as soon as I did the basics like "what hand do you write with?" and "stand like you're holding a rifle" it all came flooding back like it was yesterday, ah happy memories.  Harry was excellent, he means the world to me and we'll do more work together soon.  Finally, have a look at this from my friends at The Supplement Centre, not just because 13 of the items were written by me but because it is hugely entertaining whilst being highly informative http://blog.supplementcentre.com/101-fantastic-fitness-tips/  I enjoy working with the The Supplement Centre and recommend that you check out their entire website.

Only Women Bleed

Apparently my last post upset a few people who are "fat and happy". My point is chubbs, that you might be happy but us taxpayers are very unhappy footing the NHS bill for illness caused by obese peoples lifestyles, so sort yourselves out!  For those that have all of the usual excuses please look at this picture. I started working with Clare in January, just the usual stuff, a sensible diet and exercise plan because she's getting married in July, as you can see her results have been amazing. Clare is almost 40, is a full time air stewardess, home maker and mum and also gives her fiance all the support that he needs while he's dieting for competition, she even trains with him!  So, what's your excuse now for not at least trying to get into shape?  I've not been that surprised by her results, in my experience when a woman is really determined to change her body she will do whatever it takes and go through the pain barrier more readily than men do. Clare has done so well that it makes sense for her to take it to the next level and compete soon, we are all very proud of her!

Fat Nation

There is a very alarming article in today's Sunday Telegraph relating to obesity in this country http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/laura-donnelly/10174593/Obesity-bankrupting-the-NHS-warns-peer.html. Actually "alarming" is an understatment when you read that "Studies have found that diseases caused by poor diet and sedentary lifestyles are costing the NHS more than £6 billion a year" Draw your own conclusions but, as harsh it may sound, in 99% of cases it is a persons choice if they want to be fat or not. I know because I deal with lots of people who are determined to lose weight, they all succeed too, like I said it's a choice.  Sadly it's not a choice for hard working tax payers to continually plough money into the NHS to deal with those who choose to remain obese.  On a happier note, here's a link for a workout of me coaching two women with amazing figures at PPF for The Active Channel http://www.theactivechannel.com/player/PeakPhysiqueAlternativeLegsWorkout  They choose to look good, and this shows that it's hard work but well worth it.

The Message

I was saddened today to read this story in the newspapers about a 20 year old bodybuilder who died because he was trying to get big in the way that I try so hard to stop people from doing http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/oli-cooney-death-bodybuilding-obsessive-3340653  It's a very sad story for more reasons than the obvious one.  Firstly, you would think that this might act as a deterrent to others - it won't, youngsters on steroids think that they know it all and will just say that this would never happen to them.  Secondly, one story like this tars every bodybuilder with the same brush, we are all steroid taking axe murderers who will be dead before we get old.  I've done numerous TV and magazine interviews telling the truth about all of this and helped several students with dissertations on the subject, even as recently as a few days ago.  Those people listen intently and learn while the stupid, uneducated people still think that they know better.  So, in the hope that just one person will learn from it, here is a piece that I wrote on the subject that has received huge praise http://www.kevanwilson.com/pdf/YoungstersOnSteroids.pdf  

Ash Wednesday

Had a great time yesterday working with my old friend Dean Ash for LA Muscle.  We were doing a teleshopping promotional video, which will be shown on The Active Channel, for Norateen Heavyweight II, which I am using as an extra supplement now that I am drug free. It seems to be doing a good job, I'm happy and steady at 18 stone and lean, so I'm glad to put my name to it.  Dean and I first met many years ago at Body Limit Gym in St. Albans and were once both coached by Eddie Abbew.  We reminisced about how Eddie, at 8am on the morning of the British Finals in 2010, had us both practice posing into the mirrors in his hotel bedroom, because he's that much of a perfectionist.  Dean has now stopped bodybuilding and is doing MMA instead, around all of the other committments that he has of course.  He's very popular and a lovely guy, I wish him all the very best with that.

Clean Machine (?)

Ever since this picture appeared on Twitter the other day I've had people asking me if it's even possible to make that kind of transformation naturally let alone how hard is it.  Well there are several factors to take into account.  Genetics - Dwayne Johnson's dad was Rocky Johnson, a big tough wrestler many years ago.  Diet - Dwayne can afford the best food and supplements. Training - Apprently the WWE guys train harder than anyone.  So all of that says that it is possible to make a huge transformation drug free, but true to my saying that "I'd rather be honest than popular" and knowing that some people will disagree, I would say that even with all of those factors in his favour he has still done a reasonable amount of gear.  In general, if people tell me they're drug free and I don't believe them I always say do a drug free bodybuilding show and get tested, that answers the question once and for all.

Sunburn

I liked the write up from my class at the British finals on the UKBFF website, it reads "Most men at this age are taking things easy, but not these gladiators. These men have denied nature and refused to let those muscles lose their fullness. No couch potatoes on this stage. Over 50 maybe but I know some men of 25 that would like bodies like this". Very flattering, shame they got the winners name wrong really, don't worry Alfie Noda, we all know who won, and deservedly so.  In our quest to provide a complete service to anyone wanting to compete this year we are currently in negotiation with a company that has invented a revolutionary new spray tan that can be done at PPF.  Usually tanning is the second worse thing about competing, after the dreaded dieting of course, but according to our two models Rob & Clare and looking at the picture, that sticky & smelly feeling and the look of dodgy sunburn may be a thing of the past, if that's the case then I'll certainly post more info as soon as I have it!

Bikini Machine

It's getting closer to showtime every week!  The season will get underway in style in less than 2 weeks time on April 5th when my old friend, the larger than life Scott Horton hosts the "Hercules Olympia" in Colchester, Essex. http://www.herculesolympia.co.uk/  Scott always puts on a great show, I competed in it back in 2009 and won my class, it was great fun. There will no doubt be a lot of bikini contestants in Scott's show, some of whom will have been prepared by Gemma Williams and Michelle Brannan from http://www.showgirlfitness.com/.  Gemma is running a posing class for all bikini competitors, even if they are not signed up to Showgirl Fitness, at Peak Physique & Fitness on Saturday March 29th, bookings should be made directly through the showgirl fitness website.  Gemma is often at PPF so we're very happy to have her as part of the set up.  With people like her, Shane Raymond and myself regularly in attendance, our members that are competing this year and also just about everyone else there, are all filled with confidence, looking better every day and looking forward to the summer to show off the bodies that they are currently sculpting.

Master Blaster

Another busy day at PPF!  Today we shot another workout video for The Active Channel.  The series that we are filming covers new training techniques coupled with old school stuff that I still swear by, the working title for the series is "Learn from the Masters" as the workouts feature me and a host of other well known and successful bodybuilders of all ages. I'll post broadcast dates for each episode as I have them.  Talking of learning from the masters, it's great to be working again with my good friend and under 80 kilos competitor Rob (pictured). Rob & I were coached together by Eddie Abbew years ago and now I'm coaching Rob for a show in May which will be followed by his wedding to the lovely Clare, who I'm also coaching for competion this year, just as long as she keeps on making me protein cakes and cookies!

Age Ain't Nothing But A Number

Firstly, thanks again, the last blog broke all records for views.  The amount of views is usually driven by the picture so its very flattering that two men with a combined age of 111 can generate that much interest! Hopefully today's pic of me with PPF's latest and best looking recruit Ezy will generate even more, if it doesn't then it will of course be my fault!  Ezy is an integral part of our team now, as well as her normal staff duties she runs classes, both mixed and women only, and also gives a great deal of help to all of the members, especially the ladies.  There will be more about her in future blogs but in the meantime, for more information about Ezy please just click this link https://www.facebook.com/?sk=welcome#!/pages/Starfit-ModelPT/758392307523973

Masters Of War

It was great to do some work today with my old friend Martin Duckett. I say old because he's actually 6 months older than me!  Martin has an impressive drug free record and last year won both the NPA and UKDFBA British over 50's titles.  He's just the latest in a line of top quality bodybuilders that I have become friends with over the last 5 years to come to Peak Physique & Fitness to try to improve in preparation for the battles that will be this years competition season.  There have been quite a few that have already visited and there will be a lot more.  In other news, I'm proud, flattered and surprised that, according to statistics received today, this blog is now read by more people than ever before.  Thank you all for that, I am truly humbled!

Back To Basics

So this years health screening and full body MRI scan once again gave me nothing to worry about.  I saw a top Harley Street sports doctor who told me a few surprising things about supplements and also confirmed what I already knew about my back wearing out with age. The discs in the spine do wear excessively after years of aggressive leg work and I've adapted my leg workouts to compensate for that fact.  I've always had good legs, Eddie wouldn't have allowed me on stage with anything less, and the workouts that I've devised for them these days involve no squatting or deadlifting yet I've still lost no size and they look as good as ever.  Finally, it was good to see my old friend Alex on Friday, he is competing in a BNBF show in June so we did some training and diet work together and he is going to spot on by showtime.

Isn't She Lovely

The best wedding that I went to last year was that of my good friends Glenn & Leanne, as I wrote about at the time http://kevwilson.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/kiss-bride.html  Well 8 weeks ago the happy couple were blessed with what I can only describe as the most beautiful baby that I have ever seen. I spent some time with Millie yesterday doing all the things that I haven't done for years, feeding her, winding her and best of all, cuddling her off to sleep.  It was an amazing experience and one that I'm looking forward to repeating.  As I had such a soft and moving time yesterday, I had to re establish my image by putting three PPF members that are competing later this year through some incredibly tough workouts today.  Well done to all of them, showtime isn't that far away so now's the time to get some hard work in the bank, when they can't walk tomorrow they will know that we certainly did that today!

New Kid In Town

With the ever increasing ladies membership at PPF it has become apparent that we need a top quality female PT to add to the staff.  I'm therefore very pleased to announce that Ezy (pictured) is now very much part of the team.  She will be taking classes every Monday & Friday evening and will also be available for PT work with members, as well as doing the thing that I do of being available to give free diet and training advice to members whenever I'm at the gym.  As well as being a really nice person, Ezy has an impressive CV as well as a great physique so we're sure that she will be a great addition to the gym.  To find out more about Ezy please just follow this link
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starfit-ModelPT/758392307523973