Barry man gets set for bodybuilding debut (From Barry And District News)

Barry man gets set for bodybuilding debut

8:50am Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

A BARRY health shop worker is cracking his way through 120 eggs a week in preparation for his first ever bodybuilding competition.

Dave Paige, who works as an assistant and nutritional adviser at Health & Herbs on Holton Road, is feeding his physique in time to compete in the UK Body Building & Fitness Federation (UK BFF) Welsh Championships in Port Talbot next week (September 9).

The 24-year-old, of Pencoedtre, who currently weighs in at 180lbs with just six per cent body fat, is on a strict dietary regime enabling him to compete in the middle weight category which ranges from 12 to 13 stone.

A typical breakfast consists of egg whites, with pollock, tuna, turkey and chicken featuring heavily in his seven to eight meals a day during the 12 weeks prior to competition.

Dave is also drinking two whey protein shakes a day and taking a range of vitamins alongside virgin coconut and fish oil. And he's taking in alkaline produce such as celery, cucumber and apple as he attempts to reduce his body fat to three to four per cent before carb-loading in the final days before the competition.

"My cravings are not too bad, but after three hours my energy goes," said Dave.

"After the competition Dominos and McDonalds are not going to know what's hit them! I'll have a wonton display of eating!"

He will also have his first fake tan to enhance his chances, with judging based on body proportion and conditioning.

Dave, who has been training for two years using the Barry Leisure Centre and Hammer Strength gyms, said: "It's the first time for me to have my body hair removed - it was a very strange sensation."

He said his inspiration to compete developed from the age of nine as he and his dad watched action heroes Bruce Lee and Arnold Schwarzenegger in films, but it has taken him two years to get fit for competition after encouragement from friends.

He hopes to bulk up to 14 stone, post competition, to qualify for the light heavyweight category next time round.

"I am really excited," said Dave.

"It's something I've always wanted to do. But I am not sure whether it's about the competition or having the pizza afterwards!"

Health & Herbs manager Gemma Cannon said she and the shop's staff were all proud of him.