***4th Place BNBF British Finals***Moved to Progress Journal Section***

Again sorry for the lack of posting work has been pretty nuts. Doing 12-14hr days so its tuff to keep everything going. I promise al try and do better.

Anyways this week has been pretty pants in the way of nutrition. Not eating crap but just not enough. Poor planning and a busy schedule have caught up this week. Looking to get things on the straight and narrow tomorrow with some much needed shopping and cooking.

Trainings going really well. Feeling more and more powerful with each workout. Deads are upto 180kg for 4, that was after a full 3 pyramid sets.  At the weekend I was on a postural analysis course. Which was fantastic looking at phyisques and prescribing certain excersises to help them. Really good!!

Apart from that today at 11am I took part in the 2min silence and allowed me to think about probably only one thing that really makes me angry. Hearing a young man or service women who has died at war is a waste of a life. I feel quite strongly about Ifganistan and Iraq so I felt I needed to remeber ones, like my grandfather who fought for my freedom and everone elses in each and every unjust war. May they never be forgotten.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

What a differance a day makes. Much better with everything today apart from not squeezing in a workout between clients. Will catch up tomorrow.

Bought some frozen fruit from asda and added them to my morning 'wake up' shake. There really good makes it all creamy and tasty with chocolate whey.

Again another long day but better prepared than before so managed to get everything in.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Another good couple days. Finding my stride better with the diet and planning everything much better. Weight hasnt moved really still sitting at the 13st mark hovering between 84-85kg which is where I would like to stay. Still good vascularity around the arms and delts and condition is holding with good abs. Wish I could compete at this weight lol but who doesnt want to be bigger.

Trained this morning with a friend. Really good with someone pushing you. Managed more than previous with my military presses.

Introduced alot of post workout stretching. Its now part of my workout. I find my ROM so much better with squats and others. Would recommend, in fact encourage anyone to at least part take in some kind of developmental stretching at the end of workout.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Off work for the first time in 18days today so slept in past 10am. It was magic lol. Still feel a little tired but alot better for it. Went shopping to a new mall in aberdeen today. Really nice not many shops open but plenty too see. Went for lunch with the girlfriend which was nice as it was our first I think this year lol.

Training arms in the evening. Not a great fan of training arms. Fatique quickly and not lifting all that much. Prefer more compund movements or bigger body parts but must be done.

Back to work tomorrow. Another long day but should be good!!

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Back too it this morning. Up at 6am for a PT session at 7.30am. My 10 o'clock cancelled so managed to fit in a good workout and well needed hair cut before work.  Girlfriend was saying I was starting to look like a baboon lol.

Trained chest really good pump. Strength is shooting up which is great because I did have a bit of the post comp blues for a while. Not looking as great not as strong but just worked through it.

Eating was pretty good today apart from later on in the evening. Had planned for enough food so was pretty hungry around 7pm. Had to do running club as part of my shift so that was a good 5mile run in the rain lol oh me.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

good journal this - i wish i had stayed natural sometimes.

JerryPacemaker


good journal this - i wish i had stayed natural sometimes.

Hey Jerry,

Thanks for the post. Well you can always go natural and eat sleep breathe bodybuilding!!

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Day off today so had a couple PT session this morning and couple this evening. Its great and really enjoying it. No work so lots of eating a some great shoulder training. Looking a little flatter than last week but still popping veins in my delts and forearms. Weight is still at the 13st mark so not really moving from there.

Adding a short cardio session in about 3 times a week. Never did any last year so doing some speed intervals to keep the heart and lungs healthy. Also really intorducing stretching at the end. Taking a good 10-15minutes to improve me flexability. Really noticing the difference with range of movement.

Trying to get a good yoga session in as well but only time permitting. Looking forward to the improvments for next year and already gagging to get back on stage.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Another kind of day off work. Moving flats tomorrow so finishing off packing and cleaning the new flat. Well I say cleaning but really the girlfriend did it all. I had a nap on the sofa as I was up pretty early this morning doing PT.

I have a new client who works for a marketing company. There doing a piece about the gym I work for and personal training with me. I thought they were going to do a one page spread but now its going to be a 2 pager in there quaterly wedding magazine. Really looking forward to it.

Anyways training was fine. Had a double decker this morning for the first time in a long time. VERY GOOD INDEED!! Apart from that not much to report. Wish me luck on the move tomorrow.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Internet is back ON!!  Moved flats and my internet providor took forever to connect up the broadband. Felt naked without it. Will update later as have to shoot off to work. Wooohoooo missed you people of muscletalk land!!

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Hope you've settled in your new flat well. Good luck with the article, be sure to scan and post it up so we cna all read it

Sponsored by Muscle Finesse  

kitty


Hope you've settled in your new flat well. Good luck with the article, be sure to scan and post it up so we cna all read it

Hi Kitty good to hear from your. Yea flats great more in the centre of town, just settling down and getting back to normal ie food etc. Yea will do the articles going in february I believe so will pop it up then.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Right update time. Things are ok at the moment. Working so much that it is effecting my training and diet a little. Not eating badly just not enough to continue weight gain. Sitting at 85kg at about 11-12% BF so not too bad. Abs still pretty pronounced and striations and seperation in my quads.

Think its been the moving flats etc but next weeks going to be better in the way of organisation etc making sure all food is prepared and ready for the next day!!

Will be posting pics sometime soon to show everyone progress and looking for advice on whether to compete again next year or take a year off. Still really undecided. I want to compete but is the best thing??

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Day off work again today so a good training day with my friend. Trained arms, not always my favourite day but still really good. Completed a little boxing pad work for some cardio and because its pretty good to get frustrations out.

Foods been good went out for lunch and had a burger. So good now that I can eat normally lol. Should be a good week ahead. Pretty busy tomorrow but will be able to fit in a session in the morning. Also gonna make sure am prepared with all my food.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Pretty busy day today. Started 7am and just settling down now. Food was good upto about 6pm but will be better prepared tomorrow. Cooking my rice and chicken as we speak.

Training was really good looking fuller and fuller with good condition to boot. Strength is great managed 100kg for 12reps on the flat bench. Not bad for a natty lol.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Good to hear all is going well!

James Collier
Sign the petition to stop VAT on sports drinks

James


Good to hear all is going well!

Thanks James.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

The last 2days have just been a right off. Not great!!  Went out for a 'quiet' drink on tuesday night but ended up having lots. I hate drinking but just ended up having a good few!!

Went to a comedy night which was ace!! So funny. Got picked on by one of the comedians. Basically he was like look at the big guy in the back etc. Took it light heartedly, he was funny.

Gonna really try get back into it. Lacking good structure. Al get it back on.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Better today but not great still. Al keep going this week and nail things next week. Seemed to have bropped weight as well which isnt what I want. Sitting at around 83kg at the moment.

Did train shoulders, not a long session only about 45minutes. Off tomorrow so going to try and train afte rmy PT sessions in the morning. Probably legs. Just need to get this week out the way.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Working early this morning with PT so not a whole lot of sleep but put in a good few hours. Finally had the time today to make it to the supermarket to stock up on some much need food.

Stocks are up so the next few weeks are going to be on the button and regain that weight that I've lost. Have to take all my holidays before the end of the year so a good 3 weeks to relax and train and eat, eat, eat.

Trained back which went ok. Had a few interuptions from people asking questions and advice which isnt great tbh but its part of the territory working in the place you train.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Christmas shopping galore today. Went shopping with the girlfriend where I was picking up generally, probably not so suttle hints. No training but eating was good apart from the chiquitos lunch. 3 weeks off work so going to nail everything when I can. Trainings going to be ace and everything else will fit in nicely.

First aid course tommorow, looking forward to it. Also passed my health assessment test at work. Which means a nice pay raise and another avenue for PT.

These health assessments are really good we do all the usual Blood Pressure, BMI, health history etc but we incluce hip to waist ratio, fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol levels. Looking forward to helping with health promotion.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Started the 3 weeks holiday over the xmas period which is grand. Had to take all my hoildays before the end of the year. Didnt realise I hadn't taken any but heyho.

Early PT so up for food around 6am. I love my omellette and porridge in the morning, dont know where I would be without it!!

Just a day of Leg training and PT. I have one later on at 5pm. Might head out to see the comedy club again. Loved that last week. Ended up getting picked on in the crowd so dont think al be anywhere near the stage next time haha.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Off on holiday still from work so just doing PT's and had a wee staff meeting to go over the year ahead and hand out awards.  Completed a few pt's this morning and a couple this evening. Really enjoying them. Clients are starting to see some really great changes.

At the staff meeting we just went over the year and next years finances. Also what lays ahead with awards handed out to the staff. I got most committed staff member. Probably because I pretty much live there with PT, actually work and my own training.

Tomorrow I hope to try and get some christmas shopping done!! Really need to bloody do it!!!

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

A good busy day PTing again keeping me busy over my holiday. Also squeezed in a hamstring, calve and ab workout. Not great but managed to work through it nicely.

Weighed myself as well. Sitting at 86kg. Up 3kg in a week so goes to show how the body changes. Hopefully gonna go for a 210kg deadlift soon. Got 200kg for 3 resp yesterday.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Wonderful weekend of christmas shopping which I gues everyone is doing right now. Also my staff chrsitmas party night out so getting the good old cheesy shirt out haha.

PT this morning but apart from that havent really done much. Taking today off as trained shoulders yesterday. An ok session didnt have and buzz like most do but got through it.

Looking forward too tonight. Probably going to have a few merry drinks but not too over the top. Dont want the usual back at work Gordon was drunk chat lol.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Have you decided on whether to compete next year yet, Gordon?

James Collier
Sign the petition to stop VAT on sports drinks

James


Have you decided on whether to compete next year yet, Gordon?

Hi James,

Well still unsure tbh. I think I could gain a decent amount over 12 months. Looking back on last year I decided I didnt want to compete at the Brits even though I had qualified to make the adjustments of adding size. It worked and I gained 4kg in ruffly 8months and improved my condition.

I really want to compete at the top and not make up the numbers. So I am thinking it maybe a better idea to take next year off and compete at the scottish, hopefully qualify for a brit again and compete for a top 3.

I'm probably looking for someone just to say yes thats the best idea and al do it. However on the other hand I do love competing but I need to do whats best for future plans.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Chirstmas night out last night. Had good three course meal with cheesecake at the end ;-).  Had a couple of drinks just enough to get me up dancing on a chair lol.
 
Day of laziness today just doing cleaning and catching up with friends. I play in goals for a 5-a-side team every sunday night so al have that to get myself out of my pyjamas lol.

Back to the grind tomorrow. Busy with PT's and some chest tomorrow me thinks.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Gogz87

James


Have you decided on whether to compete next year yet, Gordon?

Hi James,

Well still unsure tbh. I think I could gain a decent amount over 12 months. Looking back on last year I decided I didnt want to compete at the Brits even though I had qualified to make the adjustments of adding size. It worked and I gained 4kg in ruffly 8months and improved my condition.

I really want to compete at the top and not make up the numbers. So I am thinking it maybe a better idea to take next year off and compete at the scottish, hopefully qualify for a brit again and compete for a top 3.

I'm probably looking for someone just to say yes thats the best idea and al do it. However on the other hand I do love competing but I need to do whats best for future plans.

From what you say, I do actually think taking a year out may be your best option.

Do you intend to stay natural long term?

James Collier
Sign the petition to stop VAT on sports drinks

James

Gogz87

James


Have you decided on whether to compete next year yet, Gordon?

Hi James,

Well still unsure tbh. I think I could gain a decent amount over 12 months. Looking back on last year I decided I didnt want to compete at the Brits even though I had qualified to make the adjustments of adding size. It worked and I gained 4kg in ruffly 8months and improved my condition.

I really want to compete at the top and not make up the numbers. So I am thinking it maybe a better idea to take next year off and compete at the scottish, hopefully qualify for a brit again and compete for a top 3.

I'm probably looking for someone just to say yes thats the best idea and al do it. However on the other hand I do love competing but I need to do whats best for future plans.

From what you say, I do actually think taking a year out may be your best option.

Do you intend to stay natural long term?

Hi James,

Thats probably what I'm going to do. Take the year to improve!!

Staying natural is certainly a question I ask myself on many occasions. Also with that I have many other questions that run through my mind. For me the main goal is to earn a pro card. I'm not really interested in winning world championships just to have the oppurtunity to compete against the best in the world would be an honour in its self. Any placing would be great, be it first or last.

Other questions that enter my mind are that I have promoted myself as a natural athlete and with that inspiring other young guys that supplements and other assistance arent neccessery with the correct training and diet. Many others like the social implications, also how much would I need to take to become a pro and would it effect my health, relationship etc.

I do get respect from AAS users when I tell them what I do and how I do it and I really enjoy that. However if I have the potential to be able to stand on an olympia stage with a number of years training I think I would make my way down that route.

One of the best peices of advice I have recieved was from graham park who said he took maybe 5 years before stepping in the direction. He said stick to what your doing and then make a choice. Again I think I need more advice from people I know and respect to make that kind of decision.

Understandably you are a registered professional and such advice would not be in your best interests however any would be much appreciated.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

I would advise to stay natural for another 2-3 years at least and then reconsider.  It sounds like competing well as a natural is important to you so I wouldn't consider the other route for sometime.

Read Helder's journal - he has a similar outlook to yours.

James Collier
Sign the petition to stop VAT on sports drinks

James


I would advise to stay natural for another 2-3 years at least and then reconsider.  It sounds like competing well as a natural is important to you so I wouldn't consider the other route for sometime.

Read Helder's journal - he has a similar outlook to yours.

Thanks James. I think al heed your advices and continue. Yea I've been reading some, good to see another natural competitor on the forum competing well. I will post there sometime and see what his thoughts and views are also.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Another day of morning PT's and CHRISTMAS BLOODY SHOPPING!! Its ok but the snow in aberdeen is more like Lapland. Crazy deep for outside a flat in the centre of town. Had to wade myself down the street to make to the shops.

Managed to get most of the presents but looks like a christmas eve shop to finish off the last one.

Trained this evening after a PT. Shoulders and good old Biceps. Good session military press has gone up to a decent weight with a good rep range.  Really enjoying stretching. Making sure this is an integral part of most if not all workouts. Its helping with strenth and recovery. Dont know where I would be without it now.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

Wow christmas is over for another year already. Its amazing how quick it comes and goes. As a kid I always remember it taking ages and ages for santa to come but now......

Got a few really good prezzies. A mino ultra HD was the top of the pile. Its a miniture Hd camcorder. Going to use this to add some videos to my blog. Workouts, cooking, maybe some video blogging as well. Also got a shiatsu massage chair. Really good, should be nice after a workout.

Apart from that just pigged out on everything and anything. Had abit of a sore throat for the past few days over christmas. Kinda worn off today so decided to head to the gym and finish the week with a back session. Still felt a little unwell but think its coming to the end.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals

 

When are you back to training?

James Collier
Sign the petition to stop VAT on sports drinks

James


When are you back to training?

Back at it again tomorrow James. Past few weeks have been tuff with PT kicking off really well for me so more concentration on that.

Gordon Greenhorn
Reporting for Muscletalk at the 2011 UKBFF Finals