Paul is really a some body (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Paul is really a some body

Paul Baxendale Picture Ref: 77799-34FITNESS expert Paul Baxendale has muscled himself into the World Body Building Championships.

Paul, of Savill Crescent, Wroughton, booked his place after he came fifth at the European Championships in Dusseldorf last weekend.

In November, the 39-year-old, who is a trainer at Peak Physique gym in Greenbridge Road, Swindon, will travel to the south of France for one of the biggest competitions of his life.

"I was honoured to be given the invite," he said. "It is probably the pinnacle of my career as afterwards I'm retiring from the competitive side of the sport."

The current British title holder came out of retirement for his last contest because he wanted to show how important it is to keep fit.

During each competition he performs a series of poses and does a routine to music.

"When people think of body building they think of hulky men who look like freaks," he said.

"But look at what Arnold Schwarzenegger has done for the sport. He is probably the most famous Mr Universe ever.

"I believe in using exercise to keep fit. My philosophy is that if you do everything right 80 per cent of the time the other 20 per cent does not matter.

"It is OK to eat a luscious dessert now and then. Eating should be a pleasurable experience. My message is to eat healthily and exercise regularly."

To train for the championships, Paul has had to deprive himself of certain luxuries to keep his body fat levels low.

"I have given up pizza and desserts while I'm in training as I have to operate on a slight calories deficit."

Paul, who is married to Amanda, 38, and has four children, Claudia, eight, Sophia, six, Nathalie, four and Paul, 10 months, competed in the mid 1990s taking the UK title and third in Europe in 1996.

"I first went to the gym when I was 16 years old to supplement my training in other sports such as rugby and football," he said.

"When I was 21 I tore cartilage in my knees which meant I could not take part in these sports anymore.

"When I was building up the muscles in my knees my body responded really well to weight-lifting and it all went from there."

Ben Payne