Simon Reeves Photo Shoot

1 week before my show I had the privilege to shoot with Simon Reeves at The Fitness Factory in Burnley which is a huge fully kitted out gym, very impressive. As I was so close to my show I didn’t manipulate my water, carbs or sodium and felt lean yet full. I’ve never done an actual gym/workout shoot before but I loved it and preferred it over a studio shoot as there’s so much more you can do and work with. Anyway here’s a few of the photos, let me know what you think.

Unedited but I love it 

For anyone interested in shooting with Simon check out his website, GL Images. I’m more thanhappy with the photos and look forward to shooting with Simon in the near future.

So this weekend sees the return of the BodyPower Expo at the N.E.C. in Birmingham, last year was the first time me and Nathan we to the expo on the Saturday and loved it, so this year we’ve decided to do the Friday and Saturday seen as there is so much to do and people to meet. Anyone attending on Friday or Saturday and spots us, come say hey and if you fancy joining us and a few of the other lads for a training session we’ll be hitting Future Fitness after the expo on Friday.

For anyone attending on the Sunday, I’ve been fortunate enough to be asked to be on the Bodybuilding Warehouse stand representing Warrior Supplements so make sure you come say hi, have a few pics and take part in the Warrior challenges.

Lee

UKBFF North West - My Show!

Its Tuesday 7th May, I'm two days post contest and I'm still on a high and feeling extremely positive and motivated. The two days leading up to my show were a real mix of nerves and excitement, luckily I was fully prepared way in advance so could just chill out and relax rather than running around panicking over the small stuff.

Unfortunately I didn't make the top 3 however I did make the first call out for comparisons against the competitors that placed top 3 so I'm more than happy with that. I've contacted the UKBFF to find out exactly where I placed and for some form of feedback regarding my overall score. The experience from stepping on stage was incredible, I loved every minute of it and remember standing there at one point thinking to myself "this is amazing, I can't wait to do it again, and I honestly can't. I had some really positive feedback from friends, family and other competitors on the day so felt I held my own and brought my best condition to the stage, there's nothing I would of changed or done differently about my prep and I think that's a huge reason why I'm still on a high as I have no regrets.

Top 3, congrats Olly (1st) and Chris (3rd)

After the show I headed straight down to Sussex for two photo shoots the following day, the first was with well known photographer Simon Howard who was amazing to work with and really knows his stuff, I've seen some of the unedited shots already and they look incredible, I can't wait to shoot with him again this sunday in the gym. The second shoot was for Skinny Chimp, an instantly popular clothing company mixing fitness with fashion. I'm looking forward to working with these guys in the future.

Skinny Chimp Shoot - Awesome vests!

Finally I just want to say a huge thank you to my family, in particular my Mum and Dad for really being there for me throughout my prep, especially my mum as she's helped my cook my chicken and cooks my fish for me while my Dads at work because he can't stand the smell of fish and neither can my house mate! haha

Me, My Mum & Sister, Vanessa

Another huge thank you to Dara for encouraging me and giving me the confidence to step on stage and also follow my passion for the gym and fitness industry. It really was a nice surprise to see you at my show to wish me good luck and show your support.

A big thank you to my main man Nathan who is has supported me so much throughout this prep and has always stayed positive and kept me focused on the end goal, I think I'd of lost my mind by now if we didn't work together bro! We've both been there for each these last few months and I massively appreciate it mate, can't to hit Bodypower next weekend with you. And thanks to Tom who although I haven't know him long has been great support the last few weeks going through posing practice with me, to get my show tan and even coming back stage to help out on the day itself, cheers mate, you'll kill your show in a few weeks! Thanks to Stuart, my old training partner who sold me out for crossfit haha he always pushed me in the gym and has support my blog since it started nearly 12 months ago.

And finally a big thank you to Dan Wheeler, Mike Read, Bleddyn Escott and Craig Dickinson, I've spoke to these guys every single day way before I decided to do the show. They're a top group of lads and all have great potential, its our year boys! And a huge thank you in particular to Dan for prepping me since 2nd January for my show, its been such an enjoyable and flexible diet along with the added support through think and thin. Not only has Dan prepped me but he's also dealt with his own clients, moved house and nailed his own transformation since 2nd January, very motivational!

If I've missed anyone off I'm sorry, I appreciate everyones support and was overwhelmed by all the tweets, texts and messages on the day of the show.

I'll update in a few weeks regarding my new training and nutrition but I can guarantee I'll be stepping on stage, very soon!

Lee

Christmas (Fitness) Wish List

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m sure presents are on everyone’s minds at the minute. I've been asked over and over by members of my family, “what do you want?”, “what do you need?” “I’m struggling for ideas”. Realistically, there’s nothing that I particularly NEED, there’s a few things I’d want (a Lamborghini being one of them) but honestly I’m more than happy with everything I've already got.

This then got me thinking, firstly about what I could suggest for people to get me for Christmas and secondly, what do you buy for someone that’s really into their fitness whether their training is to improve their overall health, for a particular sport, for an event/competition etc. As you can imagine with the new year approaching, a lot of people will be signing up for gym memberships to make a change in their life and to take the first steps to better themselves, Christmas is a perfect opportunity to buy useful gifts to really help motivate people and keep them on track from reaching their goals as I’m sure you’ll agree the last thing they’d want its lots of sweets and chocolate (I still have a large jar of sweets from last Christmas!).

Below is a list of suggestions for presents whether you’re looking for ideas for someone or for options to suggest to friends and family to buy for yourself. I've really tried to mix it up from someone who is just starting at the gym to someone who has a few years behind them.

Above is a brief collage of the typical ideas to buy for someone, a starting point is obviously the gym membership itself and following from that all the essential things you’d need in the gym, trainers, clothing and IPod.

As you know from my review of the Core 150 shaker a few months back, I really love this product. This is a perfect example of providing a solution to a problem that so many of us come across day in day out, having used the product for a good few months now I seriously can’t recommend it enough as part of your gym bag.

I didn't want to put supplements on the list as a gift idea, I know they could make a good present as they’d be saving you money but an even greater way of saving money in the long run is a Protein Discount Card. You can read my article reviewing the Protein Discount Card and all its benefits and discounts here.

Now this is something that’s on my list, I personally want to do more cardio outdoors as of 2013 and what better what to track my progress, calories burnt, heart rate etc than a Polar heart rate monitor.

This might sound like an odd one but last year I had a family member struggling for ideas and I suggested some Salter Electric Scales, yes I got a funny look as you can imagine but its something I needed if I was going to step up my nutrition. The scales cost around £8 from a local supermarket and I can honestly say they have been the most practical present I have ever had, I’ve used them every single day since 2^nd January this year and still haven’t changed the battery.

I know I mentioned the 6 pack bag in my food prep article a few months back and I can imagine it only being on a few peoples Christmas lists such as competitive sports individuals and people with busy lifestyles that travel a lot. I know quite a few people who already have these bag and know of even more that are getting them for Christmas, so that’s exactly why they've made the list and will be a huge benefit helping anyone stick to the diet.

You can tell its almost Christmas with all the latest autobiographies being released and I can guarantee that someone in your family will open a book of some sort on Christmas day. So why not use these last weeks to your benefit and try hinting for a book that will keep you focused and motivated throughout the new year as oppose to the standard joke book or coffee table book that you’re more likely to receive.

There are so many good books out there but three I’d strongly recommend are The Secret by Rhodes, a worldwide popular book that has helped motivate people to reach their goals and full potential. The Laws of the Ring by Urijah Faber, I got this book for my birthday in July and started reading in on holiday in September. Being a huge MMA and Urijah Faber fan I couldn't wait to start reading the book however it wasn't quite what I expected. I presumed I’d read all about how he made it as a pro fighter, how he got into the UFC or all about his fights. However the book itself is similar to The Secret, very motivating in helping people realise their passion and how to achieve it however everything is then linked to a story from his life progressing to a pro fighter as an example. I highly recommend this book to everyone! And finally one book that I know my Mum has got me for Christmas, Total Recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger, I've heard really good things about this book and look forward to reading Arnold story as of Christmas day.

For anyone that’s dieting down in the New Year and also has a sweet tooth this is a perfect present to help curb those cravings. Walden Farm sauces are carb free, calorie free, fat free, cholesterol free, sugar free, and gluten free. Not only are there sweet sauces and dips such as chocolate, pancake syrup, blueberry etc but they also have savory products for dipping and cooking too.

Having been to Bodypower last year for the first time and also having my first fitness photo shoot there, I loved it and really can’t wait to go for the weekend next year. With there being so much to do and see I’d definitely recommend it as a Christmas present for anyone into fitness, bodybuilding and sports in general.

With gym clothing being one of the most obvious presents why not treat someone or even yourself to an AestheticLifestyle vest. I've had the vest made so they’re a loose fit, not too skimpy like a stringer vest and have the AL logo on the chest and new web address on the back (which will be launched over the Christmas period). Not only are the vests perfect in the gym but also out of the gym for holidays and fitness exhibitions/events.

The vests are available in white, grey marl, navy and plum. Anyone interested in purchasing a vest please email me for more information: lee_malone27@hotmail.com

Finally, it’s inevitable that we’re going to get sweets and chocolates for Christmas so why not drop a few hints and get exactly what you want so you can really enjoy the Christmas break, rest and treat yourself before the cutting diets start in the new year, as I know that’s exactly what I’ll be doing!

As always if you have any questions or want to add any Christmas ideas to the list feel free to comment below or hit me up on Twitter @lee_malone and @AsetheticLifest.

The secret is keeping busy, and loving what you do.

After 3 weeks of being ill (and no it wasn't Man Flu), I'm back to 100% and just in time too, as I have a very busy week ahead of me.

Firstly I'm back in the gym trying out the Y3T program as well as starting a new diet aiming for lean gains. I'll touch back on this later in the week where I'll write up my full training program and diet over on the training page.

As for the rest of the week, I arrived home tonight after a gruelling legs session to find my new vests have been delivered. Now I just need to source a good quality printer to brand the vests with my logo and new web address (any recommendations?).

Here's the artwork for the vests -

What do you think?

On Thursday I've been invited to the Carat Blog Shop Event for Sports, Fitness and Nutrition bloggers. The evening will include presentations and Q&A sessions with media experts and brands. I'll also have the chance to network with likeminded people, discussing different tips and tools on how to enhance my blog. 

For anyone else who'd be interested in the event here's the link to register - Carat Blog Shop Event

And finally this weekend I'll be heading over to the Sportex Festival in Manchester. Which is across both days (20th & 21st October) and will host the UKBFF British Championships and the IFBB British Grand Prix as well as other sports such as MMA, Judo, Strongman, Football and Badminton. I only have tickets for Saturday so if anyone spots me at the expo, come say hello!