Friday 31st July

Spent the day with Caden again yesterday and got the picture that I promised you. He now insists on eating his "Crunch Corners" all by himself, although he might as well bath in it instead! Shortly after this was taken he gave his verdict on his snack, mmm delicious! he said. I just couldn't stop laughing!

Sunday 26th July

So, the first week of full preparation training and dieting is done, just another 12 to go then; easy. Yesterday, as a reward for a good weeks work I spent most of the day with the person that I love most in the whole world, my Grandson Caden of course. We had the best time ever. As I was reading him a book he looked up at me and said "love you Granddad" and then wondered why his Granddad had tears rolling down his cheeks! We had such a busy day we didnt even have time for new photos, but I'll do some next time and put on one on here.

Monday 20th July

Well the calf is still a bit painful but after 5 days out of the gym I couldn't resist going back today, and I trained well. I saw Eddie yesterday and he wants me to be even more cut up than ever before for the British finals so I have started my competition diet today, a week early, just to be on the safe side. As if to make it as difficult as possible, just as I'm preparing the days food an advert comes on TV for Cornetto McFlurry, great, they couldn't bring those out while I wasn't dieting?!

Wednesday 15th July

Had surgery today for the calf infection that has been recurring all year. You can see from the photos that my left calf was bigger then the right one, that's because it was swollen up and infected. The antibiotics were fighting a losing battle so they have opened it up and cleaned it out. I now have a week off for that and everything else to rest & recover and then I start dieting and full training for the British finals in October. I honestly cant wait to get back into full competition preparations, I must be one of the few people that enjoys the competition diet, but I do simply because of the shape that it gets me in. I am hoping to go into the finals slightly bigger at 17 stone and even more ripped than last time, its a big ask but then again its a big competition!

Wednesday 8th July

What a busy day! Coaching this morning and this afternoon as well as training this afternoon. As if that wasn't enough I had a brilliant cardio session at home in between visits to the gym! Getting some really good feedback from people that I have put on diet and cardio plans to get ready for their holidays, it seems that everyone gets these things wrong and when I straighten them out they can't believe the results, I've never seen so many male midriffs! At this rate Milton Keynes will become the "national abs showing centre"

Saturday 4th July

(As it's American Independence Day) "Looking out over that golden gate bridge on another gorgeous sunny Saturday" Ah yes, another gorgeous sunny Saturday so guess what I decided to do? Yep, spent the afternoon in the gym. I wasn't the only one with that idea though and a good session was had by all. We found the AC / DC greatest hits CD again! Met up with my mate Kirk Grimsley who has his next competition in November. He is looking good; bigger and still quite lean, I think that he will do well, this is a picture of him in his last show.

Thursday 2nd July

Man it's hot at Atlas gym! Did a very sweaty but excellent back and biceps workout today and also had a good chat with 3 young guys who were training all wrong! Sorted out their training, will do diet next time as that's the most important thing. Then had Caden this afternoon, I want to show him this photo when he gets his first girlfriend because no matter how cute he is then, he will never be cuter than this!

Wednesday 1st July

So a weekend out of the gym turned into a week of having a brilliant time in Spain. Ah the joys of being retired from work and in between contests! Trouble is that a week of eating food cooked in oil and garlic has started the tummy troubles again. It's not too serious, just need a diet of pro peptide, whey protein and lots of water for a few days to clean it out of the system. The thing that I dislike the most about holidays is that after about 5 days of no training and crap food I start to look flat and feel bloated. That's why I rarely go away for more than a week, I do have a good gym in Spain http://www.gymnoray.com/ but it's not the same and I miss being in both of my gyms here!