Officially a Sponsored Athlete

With BodyPower 2013 a distant memory and being such an amazing weekend it got me thinking about the previous 12 months as it was at BodyPower 2012 where I had my first fitness shoot with Justin Taylor. Following from this I started to receive more and more emails and messages from people asking questions regarding my training, nutrition and general advice regarding the gym which prompted me to set up my blog on 10^th June as a place people can come to ask me questions, find out more about me, my training and hopefully answer more than their original question. Since setting up the blog I’ve loved writing all kinds of articles covering different aspects of fitness and trying out new recipes too.

For anyone that knows me or follows me on twitter that’s ever asked my advice/opinions on supplements you know that I have always used and recommend Bodybuilding Warehouse. They offer great quality products, competitive prices and free delivery on all orders plus weekly offers on their newsletters. So it gives me great pleasure to announce that I’m officially a Bodybuilding Warehouse sponsored athlete and couldn’t be happier, plus the fact that I'm from Manchester it's good to represent a North West company.

I met up with everyone from Bodybuilding Warehouse at the BodyPower expo and also worked on their stand the Sunday of the show and had an amazing time, great banter, great atmosphere compared to other stands and a perfect way to finish the weekend.

Here’s a few pics from the show:

Representing BBW and Warrior Supplements

Talking mens physique with Steve Cook

Gregg Plitt

Men's Health cover model comp

Me and Matt Gus

As a sponsored athlete I’ll be writing articles and recipes solely for Bodybuilding Warehouse and they’ll also be offering a unique discount code for AestheticLifestyle followers. In the mean time check out my interview with BBW and all their latest products and deals- Bodybuilding Warehouse

Lee

UKBFF Mens Physique Class Video

I’ve finally got round to editing the videos from my Mens Physique show and got them up on the AestheticLifestyle YouTube channel. Just watching the video back gives me a real buzz to get back on stage again, I’m still undecided if I should compete again in a few months time or hold out until early next year and carry on with my current training and calorific surplus. I’ll write a separate article discussing my current diet and training program, which I’m loving at minute but check out the video and let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndl_-Koir80

Lee

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Brownie

After a crazy response on Facebook and Twitter today here’s the simple recipe for making the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Brownie I posted this morning. As always with my recipes, make sure you tailor the ingredients and amount depending on your own macronutrients and dietary goals.

Before I begin, big shout out to Chris Lavado who gave me the initial idea for the brownie!

Ingredients:

2-2.5 scoops of Whey Protein – I use Bodybuilding Warehouse Premium Whey (chocolate cookie flavour, all of their Premium range taste amazing!)

1 can of Diet Coke or 7-Up (just less than half a can)

1 Egg White (33g liquid egg white)

25g Almond Butter/Peanut Butter

Walden Farms Chocolate/Caramel Syrup (its fat free, sugar free, carb free and calorie free)

Step 1

Add the whey protein into a large bowl.

Add the egg white.

Add the diet coke (half a can to start off with)

Step 2

Mix with a fork and feel out the constancy, if its too think add more diet coke, but add a little at a time.

The diet coke is what gives it the fluffiness and more constancy than a standard protein sludge.

Step 3

Pop in the Microwave for 2 mins, after 2 mins it should be like a thick mousse.

I put it back in for a further 1.30min to thicken it out and make the edges harder but the middle still gooey.

Step 4

Add the Peanut/Almond Butter then the Waldens Farm chocolate syrup on top.

Step 5

Enjoy!!

Let me know what you think and what added ingredients you used. I’m thinking next time trying vanilla premium whey with cinnamon and Waldens Caramel sauce!

Lee

Pre Workout Reviews & Supplement Box

As I diet down for my show I’m finding my energy levels are dropping just as quick as my body fat. I also noticed last week I tried 4 different pre workouts so thought I’d put together a mini review article to let you know what I tried and my initial thoughts.

One think to note about pre workout supplements is that everyone has different tolerance level when it comes to stimulants however over a period of time taking them you’ll find your body will adapt and you’ll need to keep adding an extra scoop here and there to still have that desired effect when you first started taking it. That’s why half way through November and throughout December I didn't take any pre workout supplements and started fresh again come January but only on leg days.

I’m not putting up any progress pics this week as I have a photo shoot this coming Saturday so I’ll save it until then, however I’ll be posting a few pics throughout the week of my condition seen as I’ll be upping my water intake and dropping my carbs for the shoot. Similar to my fluid manipulation I tried last year before I went to Ibiza- Part 1, Part 2 and Part3.

Ripped Freak – Pharma Freak (Chest Workout)

Price: £34.95

Servings: 45

Taste: 9/10

As you saw from my pictures on my last 5 week update, I got a heavy chest session in on Sunday while I was down in Wales with the lads. As I was travelling down and staying over the night I had to prep and pack all my food and shakers when I realised I had a Ripped Freak pre workout sample that I could bring with me. I've heard good things about this pre workout and couldn't wait to give it a try. I took a full sachet (blue raspberry flavour) and could already feel the Beta-Alanine kicking in as I was warming up and going through my mobility stretching.

During the session itself I hit a PB of 42kg dumbbells on incline press with strict form and maintained high intensity throughout the whole workout with short rest periods. I did feel a slight come down afterwards but not as bad as I've experienced before from pre workouts like Jack3d. I’d defiantly use Pharma Freak again but mainly for leg sessions as they can be so taxing or possibly a heavy back/chest workout.

Muscle Pharm - Assault & Sugar Free Mountain Dew (Back & Traps workout)

Price: £24.97

Servings: 32

Taste: 8/10

I've been using Muscle Pharms Assault for around 10 months now (I stopped taking a pre workout throughout December) and I really rate it as a product and recommend it to most people who ask for my suggestions on pre workout supplements. I got the idea of mixing  Assault with sugar free Mountain Dew from a Matt Ogus video a while back. I've never tried Mountain Dew before but 200ml mixed with the Assault (Raspberry Lemonade flavour) not only did it taste really good but the kick it gave me during my workout was incredible and a nice upgrade to my usual pre workout.

As I said, I always recommend Assault to people, it’s gets the job done for me and doesn't give a crash or come down after wards. I've even used Assault as a pre workout before my 2 hour mma sessions after a stressful day at work and my brother has even used it when he’s felt drained but had football practice.

Rocket Fuel (Legs Workout)

Price: £2.98

Servings: 100g

Taste: 7/10

I've never had a hot pre workout before so was unsure what to expect, I mixed two heaped teaspoons of Rocket Fuel with hot water (Not Boiling), mixed in my shaker and drank it on my way to the gym. Once I was in the gym I got the Swedish House Mafia album on my ipod and couldn't wait to get in the squat rack I could feel it that much. My legs session slightly changed this week, I was going for heavier weights and lower reps with a 4 second negative-1 second pause-1 second positive so I was glad I could feel the Rocket Fuel.

I’m not going to lie this was easily the best workout of the week, I've never felt like I've pushed myself on legs as I did, I loved it! Again I did have a slight crash afterwards and felt really drained but I don’t know if that was down to the caffeine of because of the workout.

Optimum Nutrition - Amino Energy (Arms Workout)

Price: £24.99

Servings: 30

Taste: 10/10

I sampled Optimum Nutrition’s Amino Energy at last year’s Bodypower Expo, however I've never actually tried it alongside a workout so seen as my MP Assault was running low I picked up a tub of ON Amino Energy using my Protein Discount Card. I had two scoops of the fruit fusion flavour mixed with 250ml cold water and the first thing I noticed was how good it tasted and mixed. Once I was in the gym I split my arms workout with super sets from Triceps straight into Biceps, again heavy weight and low reps.

On this particular session I was short of time so knew I had to up the intensity and be super strict on my rest periods. I genuinely think the pre workout helped me focus and drive through the workout. There was no crash afterwards and I felt full of energy throughout the rest of the day. ON have recently brought out a new pre workout supplement as part of their platinum range PRE and like last year I look forward to sampling some at this year’s Bodypower Expo in May.

Overall I’m going to stick with Optimum Nutrition’s Amino Energy, although its similar to the Muscle Pharm Assault that I’ve been on, its a nice change and I feel I got a better kick from it and like the MP Assault no crash afterwards.

Supplement Box

This article fits nicely into a package I received recently from a company called Supplement Box. They’re a monthly subscription service that sends its subscribers a curated box of the best sports supplement sample around. This is ideal for people to discover new products and save you money at the same time, with a kind of ‘try before you buy’ approach. The idea came when they guys over at Supplement Box walked into their local supplement store one day, browsed the different products and couldn’t decide which to go for, what they tasted like, amino acid content etc and came up with the idea of making it easier for people to try samples from the industry’s biggest brand to help make their mind up.

Not only do I think it’s a great idea as I’ve been in that situation before and have also helped people in that situation before when I used to work at Holland & Barretts when I was 17 but I also think it has more advantages, everyone knows how hard it can be to hit your dietary needs when you’re on the go and for that reason I always make sure I have a few whey protein and pre workout samples in my gym bag and in my car. Not only that but last year after the Bodypower Expo I kept 10 whey protein samples and 2 protein bars to one side and took them on holiday with me, so there’s a few added options for using Supplement Box. To find out more and to subscribe simply check out their web site: My Supplement Box

Lee 

Official Ambassador!!

Following on from my Paying too much for your sport supplements article I’m now pleased to announce that I’m an official ambassador of the Protein Discount Card. As an ambassador I can offer my friends/family/followers/readers an exclusive 10% off the Protein Discount Card reducing it to only £18. In order to take full advantages simply enter my unique code: ‘LMALONE’ at the checkout to redeem your 10% discount.

The Protein Discount Card was introduced as a result of the 20% VAT increase on sports nutrition products imposed by the coalition government as of 1^st October 2012. The VAT increase has applied to majority of your supplements in your cupboards at home; whey protein, all in ones, weight gainers and creatine. Before the increase these particular supplements had been excluded from VAT as they we classed as food, due to the main ingredient they use is derived from milk.

I have been using my Protein Discount Card for a good few months now for not only discount on my supplements but also discount on my subscription to Muscle & Fitness magazine. I have genuinely found the discount card very beneficial as before I received it I’d spend a good hour or two online looking at all the different companies, wholesalers, searching discount codes and trying to figure out which works out the best taking into consideration price and servings etc.

If this sounds familiar or if your own supplement stack is almost due for topping up then I highly recommend The Protein Discount Card, the goal of the card is for athletes and sports enthusiast to afford the biggest brands of supplements with offers that aren’t available anywhere else on the market such as ‘Buy One Get One Free’ offers and re-useable annual discounts of up to 40%.

I personally was surprised to see all the offers available on so many of the big brands and their popular products. Not only is there buy one get one free offers on the best products but also reusable discount codes to use on other products that haven't even been hit with vat increase until the end of 2013 when the new discount card will be available. See the table below for full discount details.

To get your own card simply head over to the Protein Discount Card site where you can purchase your own card, remember to use my code ‘LMALONE’ to apply 10% off the card, that will be sent out to you within 24 hours. Using the card itself couldn't be easier, once you receive your card in the post simply head over to one of the 8 top online brands and use your unique code at the check out to take advantage of the offers available.

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.