Some Info about MELISSA:
Where and when were you born? Houma, Louisiana
What is your profession? House Wife and mother of 3 dogs, & 2 cats!
What kind of activities/sports did you do before you started lifting
weights? I was never really into sports at all. I was the kid who didn't want to dress out in P.E. class. hehehehe! That's why I started lifting weights instead... because I'm not good at sports.
How and when did you get involved into lifting weights? I first stepped into a gym when I was 15 because I didn't want to let myself get over weight but I knew I was to young to go on a diet. It also gave me something to do after school.
Was it a goal for you to compete in bodybuilding competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body? Well, when I first joined the gym bodybuilding was the last thing on my mind... Come to think of it... I don't even know if I knew what that was when I was 15. As luck would have it, it just so happens that I joined Body Elite Fitness Center In Houma, Louisiana and thats where the REAL bodybuilders worked out! Then the rest was history! So I guess you can say I was in the right hands. My husband was manager there at the time.
What was your first competition and how did you place? My first show will be in Houston, TX on Nov. 13, 2004. I won 1st place in the LH class.
Please describe a typical day in the life of Melissa Dettwiller. I wake up, let the dogs out then feed them, then I check my emails, do my cardio. Right after I'm done with my cardio I eat breakfast, shower, get dressed for the gym, go back and forth to the computer, leave for the gym, pick up a protein shake, run errands, eat my next meal, maybe clean the house a bit, sit at the computer again, eat my next meal, play with the dogs and spend time with my husband, have dinner then I'll get ready for bed, go to bed and fall asleep with the T.V. on.
Please tell me something about your daily training routine. I always do around 15 minutes of cardio to warm up, followed by about an hour of training.
How often do you train in a week? 6 days a week
What are the main differences when you train for a competition and in off-season? Nothing really...only my diet. I haven't lost any strength at all during the last 10 weeks of dieting.
If you don't mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)? I would have to say my legs are the most impressive bodypart I have being 22" around at the belly of my hamstring. A typical squat routine would have me doing 225# for 12-15 reps (butt to heels) followed by 275# for 6-8reps, then 315# for a double or tripple. This of course isn't all I do for legs....only squats.
Some of my stats are
Age - 26
B Day - Nov. 12th
Eye Color - Hazel
Years Training (seriously) - 2 yrs.
Favorite Color - Pink
Off season weight - 162 lbs.
Contest weight - 130 lbs.
Current measurements at - 138 lbs:
arm - 14"
calf - 15"
Quad/Ham - 22"
Chest/Back - 36DD
What bodypart is your best in your opinion? I would have to say my legs because they grow so easily.
What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don't like so much? I would have to say squats because I can use really heavy weight for deep reps. I think it's so funny when a 5' 2", 138# blonde with pig tails sends men away from the squat rack because shes out squatting them!
) I don't like upper body pressing movements so much because i am relatively weak in my upper body.
Judging in Women's Bodybuilding has always been criticised in one or the other way. Please tell me your honest thoughts about today's judging in Women's Bodybuilding. I wish that while judging, the judges would remember that they are judging the women, not the men, and make their decisions from there. I don't want to have to shave my face or sound like Barry White to be able to actually win or even place in a show.
Please tell me about what else you are doing when you don't work out (profession, hobbies, etc.) I love sitting behind my computer, answering emails, reading, shopping online (I LOVE getting packages in the mail), and being with my family.
What are your future plans for 2006/2007? Just being the best bodybuilder I can be without compranising any femininity whatsoever. I'm planning on doing the 2007 Team U in NY and getting my pro card as a middle weight!
And for those of you who would like a personal autographed 8x 10 picture of me please send $10 plus a sase to
Melissa Dettwiller
2251 FM 646 W. STE 110 #20
Dickinson, TX 77539