David Papaleo - Ready for 2011!

[V-Man]

Looking great. Wish you all the best of luck. You will do great. Any extra muscle you want to get rid of send my way.

[Mac]

Freak! share some of your secrets.

[hifrommike65]

David, your strategy is nothing short of brilliant. To combine the best of both worlds--great lines but freaky thickness--would be a coup. No one else has really done it. & no one I've seen at the national masters level in the NPC has the vascularity you show (at least, since Charlie Arms).

[mkris7]

Taking a second look at your photos I had to chime again. Dave your legs look massive. It is amazing that you stay that hard and lean without cardio. What's your secret LOL
Very impressive, I am almost scared to imagine what your going to look like in July. keep us posted and I can't wait to see the contest pics from your show....like I said earlier...WOW

[hifrommike65]

David, you look scary. That is a compliment!

[David Papaleo]

mkris7, I would have to say that the "secret" is that I did do plenty of cardio getting ready for last years competitions. I started dieting slowly around 11/09 and competed in both June and August '10. I had decided then that instead of doing my usual weight gain after the shows, that I would keep my diet about 80% clean all the time and for once, not let myself get above 15 lbs above my competition weight. All the up and down in weight never really did me much good over the years, and made getting ready such a pain in the ass with all the zero carb dieting and 1-2 hours a day cardio, which in retrospect only chewed up a lot of my gained muscle, leaving me weak and even dead on my feet. I think most of us know that feeling.....and it sucks. So, I said no more, and am doing things different now.
Also, I tend to train at a fairly quick pace with not a lot of rest between sets, plus I do a good bit of isometric work to give me better control over my muscle groups which has a nice side effect of my never getting fatigued onstage.

hifrommike65......being a bodybuilder right to my core, I take being called scary a very high compliment....thanks bubba

[axioma]

Welcome, I think we can learn a great deal from you. Please share any stories related to your work too!

[David Papaleo]

New pics taken today 6/7/11. Damn, these cell phones aren't half bad...lol. Right now about 193-194, 5 1/2 weeks out from Southern States.

[KevinCouch]

Dave,
These recent pics you look a little fuller and just as hard!
Very impressive!

[HeavyDutyGuy]

Holy crap! Very good. You are like 3 lbs of- water from beng able to step onstage and win.

[GerryT]

Very impressive, David! Should do major damage looking like that.

[David Papaleo]

Wow....host hotel for Masters Nats sold out, but I got a room at the Westin just down the street for $100/night. I've decided to skip the Southern States and just go straight to Pittsburg. I'm not exactly made of money these days, so I'd rather put it all towards the big one.

[masterschamp]

Dave.......you're a beast, bro! Sorry I'll miss you at the Southern States.....I won the 50 Overall at the Southern States in '07, and I can honestly say that it is absolutely one of the top 5 amateur shows in the country........over 125 competitors, with at least 7-12 awesome bodies in each class.Most guys in that show are multiple title winners. Seeing you compete would have been great, but I understand your reasoning on the Master's Nationals. I know you would have had a GREAT shot at the Over 40 and the Master's Overall, but it looks like you have a great shot at doing the same thing at the Nationals. It's still pretty rare to see the combination of thickness and conditioning that you have......BTW...I will be in Pittsburgh at the same time the Nationals is being held...it's my hometown and I usuallly go up there at that time in the summer for a week as either a vacation or in the case that I would be doing the Master's Nationlas. Not competing this year, but since so many great guys from this site are gong to be in the show, I think I'll get down there for the pre judging. Hope to see you there.

Keith

[ayezer]

good luck look great

[Hammerfit]

Looking great Dave, understand about the finances, having the same issues. We have to pick our battles when times are lean. You should do well at Nats. Good luck!