Melissa Dettwiller Pictures And Videos

She was born on November 12, 1977 in Houma, Louisiana, and began training for bodybuilding when she was 15 years old. Until August, 2005, Melissa had been living in New Orleans, but she and her husband lost their home during Hurricane Katrina. She currently lives in the Houston, Texas, area.

Melissa stands 5'2" and competes at a bodyweight of 134 lb. Her early contest history consisted mainly of regional shows. She made her first National-level appearances in 2005, coming second in her class at the Junior Nationals, and tenth at the USA Championship.

Q : Where and when were you born?

Melissa : Houma, Louisiana

Q : What is your profession?

Melissa : House Wife and mother of 3 dogs, & 2 cats!

Q : What kind of activities/sports did you do before you started lifting weights?

Melissa : 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.

Q : How and when did you get involved into lifting weights?

Melissa : 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.

Q : 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?

Melissa : 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.

Q : What was your first competition and how did you place?

Melissa : My first show will be in Houston, TX on Nov. 13, 2004. I won 1st place in the LH class.

Q : Please describe a typical day in the life of Melissa Dettwiller.

Melissa : 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.

Q : 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.

Q : How often do you train in a week?

Melissa : 6 days a week

Q : What are the main differences when you train for a competition and in off-season?

Melissa : Nothing really...only my diet. I haven't lost any strength at all during the last 10 weeks of dieting.

Q : If you don't mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)?

Melissa : 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

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

Q : What bodypart is your best in your opinion?

Melissa : I would have to say my legs because they grow so easily.

Q : What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don't like so much?

Melissa : 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! :o) I don't like upper body pressing movements so much because i am relatively weak in my upper body.

Q : 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.

Melissa : 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.

Q : Please tell me about what else you are doing when you don't work out (profession, hobbies, etc.)

Melissa : I love sitting behind my computer, answering emails, reading, shopping online (I LOVE getting packages in the mail), and being with my family.

Q : What are your future plans for 2006/2007?

Melissa : 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!

Melissa

Melissa Official Site

Melissa can be contacted by e-mail at:

melissa@melissadettwiller.com