Holiday time at last!

Firstly, just to wrap up the bodybuilding side of things can I say that Steve will upload the photos from the NAC Open as soon as he gets a chance, I was pleased with the way that I looked and I've had a lot of good feedback, including people telling me that I definitely should have won, but to be honest it's all in the past to me now. More importantly, everyone that I'm coaching and prepping for next year is going very well, with one person, Del from Wales, doing particularly well. But while  next years champions are working hard in the gym for the next week, I will be on a beach in Tenerife getting some well earned rest!  Finally, I spent most of today with my gorgeous Princess Lilybelle.  Here she is, with her cheeky look that she gives me, eating the only two bags of sweets this year that were actually going to be mine!


Chubbing up nicely!

Firstly a big thank you to my brilliant son Steve for getting the website updates done. The NAC Open pics aren't here yet so he can't put those on, but apart from that pretty much everything else is up to date now. I'm well into the rebound training now and managed a personal best of weight gaining by putting on 7 kilos in the first 3 days! Needless to say most of that was not muscle and I have now gone back to a clean off season diet already as I am going to try to keep my weight over the winter at less than 120 kilos, that will be far more comfortable. Here's a picture taken at Golds on Tuesday, it would be nice to not get much fatter than that for the winter but Im not hopeful!

"This could be Heaven or this could be Hell"

Yesterday at the Middleton Arena in Manchester I came second in the NAC British Open, beaten narrowly by John Roberts, just as I was in Nottingham.  As usual I had loads of people telling me that I should have won and the judges said that it was so close that they would like us to both compete in the NAC Mr. Universe in Hamburg in a few weeks time, but I have said no.  This was my seventh show this year and quite frankly I've had enough now. I don't plan to compete ever again but they do say that bodybuilding is a bit like the "Hotel California" - "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave".  Well we will see.  Finally, a huge well done to my friend Lee Jones, who competed in his first ever show yesterday, the UKBFF stars of Tomorrow, and won the Junior class!  It has been a long road for Lee to get this far but now the journey really begins, as this victory qualifies him for next years British finals!

Forward planning

Prep is going well for the NAC British Open on Sunday in Manchester. Having won the UK Open there earlier in the year I am looking forward to it but I am also already making plans to be busy after that and as well as continuing to try to push Danny and Martin to new heights I have several others who have shown interest in competing under my guidance next season to realise their full potential. I will reveal no names yet as some will drop out as they always do when the going gets tough but preliminary and dietary work has already started and will continue throughout this bulking phase of the year. However, in due course I will train each and every one of the new crop for a few sessions, then I will know if any of them can become a British champion, or know the reason why not.  Finally, I have an unlikely new hero, Hugh Grant, who's latest girlfriend is 30 years younger than him, quite right too mate!  Here's a pic from the UKBFF Britain that my sister Wendie likes so much she plastered it all over facebook!


Show pics and vids!

The video and photos from the UKBFF British finals arrived today, a big thank you to Eric Guy for getting them to me so quickly.  Here's my side tricep pose, a lot of people say it's my best pose and it is probably my favourite one.  I have uploaded the video to YouTube, here’s the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frLxV8VRlVc     The photos from both this show and the NABBA England will be uploaded to the gallery when Steve gets five minutes to spare. In the meantime you can see them by looking on my facebook page.  Having reviewed the photos and video I can see why some people said that I should have placed 3rd at Nottingham but I can also see why I placed 6th, like I always say take a look and decide for yourself, but I must say that I have no complaints with the judging at either of my last two shows.

The morning after

I always enjoy the day after a big show because everyone always gets in touch to say well done. On Monday evening I was delighted to hear from, among others, my old protege Marc, he has had a year off from competing to bulk up and as he can't get to Gold's to train with me he will now be coached for competitions by my good friend and "Body Shack" owner Tommo, which means that he will come back better than ever next season. The other great thing, apart from the obvious 24 hour food slaughter, is seeing the Grandchildren again. I spent time with them all yesterday, and had Lilybelle for the morning. Here is my Princess, almost 2 years old and learning to read already, just like her Dad did at that age.


The big weekend!

Yesterday I placed 6th in the UKBFF British finals. This was my highest ever placing at this event and it was against, without doubt, the best quality opposition I have ever faced. Afterwards, a lot of people told me that they had me 3rd which was incredibly flattering as the winner and second, Oscar Roberts and Vince Wedderburn, were in a different league to the rest of us. Pictures will follow soon but here's one from the NABBA England a week before. Martin placed second, but should have won, in the NPA British finals. Danny didn't place as he wasn't quite ready but he did learn a lesson that will serve him well for the rest of his career, I know that he will respond positively and come back better than ever next year.