Martin Leeks

The boys are back in town. Another great day at the gyms . Hi to our brothers in Morocco 🇲🇦

Keeping as tight as possible whilst slowly increasing weight and strength. The aim is to gain another 5kg by Feb 23 (115kg) before starting to prepare for next season’s competitions. Health is in a perfect place so the time is right to now push in again.
🙏💪

In a beautiful place for a few days before going on to Ciminna. Great food and plenty of drink - best island in the Mediterranean

Final sign off from competitions 2022. Photos from last Saturday. As said, room for improvement. Next season be prepared for a better version of me. Now fun-time!!!

Overall I have to be pleased with appearance on Saturday. In my heart I know I did everything I could at this time of my life. I didn’t cheat or fall off the wagon during both preparations keeping focused for a period of 22 weeks.

My 4th and 2nd placings this year on reflection were correct- most importantly, l understand where I need to improve and I will use my off season to address these areas.

As always I have to thanks my coach Abs Bichri for all his encouragement, his time, when l got down and needed pulling together and his experience in understanding my old
Body and how it reacts to food, stress and sleep. He really is a magician, a great man who helps so many people quietly, respect🙏

A big Shout out also to Charles Claremont ( the master, who has been there and done it). A truly great motivator - When talks you listen and learn.

And finally Rory Golden, Tony Anderson and bodylimits staff and fellow gym goers who are always there to keep you level headed- god bless you all!

The off season is a time to rebuild focus and achieve. Mine will be exactly that - the next 9 months - I will come back stronger, bigger and overall better next season. I am not finished just yet!
Back in the gym tomorrow after a four day break and a lovely meal in the best italian restaurant in St Albans (DavVero)

Checked in with Abs . As of midday today reintroduction of carbs. (These photos show 200g potatoes and 125g rice)
Tonight 225g steak, 125g uncooked rice and 200g veg, then porridge 150g and berries.
Tomorrow 500g carbs no fat 220g protein (2880 cals)
Check in tomorrow before finalising the pre show day food plan

7days out. Checked in with Abs, the plan now, although already depleted/flat is to continue with no carbs and reduce cals by another 100 to 1600. Overall now feeling exhausted very little energy and just about able to function. On the positives - only four more days of this, then it’s time to carb up! Abs has said the aim is to increase carbs and fats considerably during the last two/three days. Everything else has been sorted music, tan and photos. Looking forward to next Saturday, I know I have a better package to exhibit- bring it on!

Into the final 10 days now. Calories being reduced via my carb reduction by 40 a day, currently 1920. Water up to 5 litres. Everything remains the same, training wise, holding a good level of strength, not the drastic reduction as I had feared. This prep, at this time seems to be the best this far.

Time to move on. Finally, 4 stage shots from the show last week, you will notice the water from my injury in the lower back. This impacted not only on my look but my mobility. On reflection I did my best and improve on my last showing (thanks to the support of Abs, Charlie and Rory) Now onto the next South Coast Fitx in 11 days. Back / mobility is now improving every day. I am now getting excited. As of today cals down to 2000 reduced from 2400 (lowering carbs and protein by 50g). Next check in with Abs is Thursday.

Isn’t it nice to get to a place that feels like home. My home gym ‘BodyLimit Albans’ has to go down as that place for me. The staff led by Abs and his members are always on hand to bring you up when your down and keep you level headed when needed. This is a quality few other gyms have. Make the most of this and join, you won’t be disappointed. I had to get back in the deep end, regroup and coming out fighting today, happy to report my new chapter has started. Watch this space

Placed 4th yesterday, left me feeling proud but slightly dissatisfied.
Abs and I managed to increase my stage presence and body weight by 9kg, I felt fuller yet more ripped, although these photos are not the best, others taken (to be posted soon) will show my true condition, which I generally felt was good enough for higher placing. Overall I couldn’t have come in better, the class was strong, all competitors were in good shape. Quality and content of the free posing routines (my weakest area) did play a role in the final positions. Overall, I leant a lot and will improve my weaker areas Abs, Hams, Glutes and posing for my next show. My injury meant I did have water and around the injury site. The big learning point is you cant predict what the judges are looking for, you just have to go with it, improve on the last show and be confident. No one beats me - so expect me to be bigger and better prepared next time. Back to the best gym in Herts today to reset and come again.