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

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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


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.

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.

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.

When are you back to training?

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.