What got you started in Fitness Competitions?
I've always enjoyed working out and seeing such amazing results. I wanted to take it one step further to see how far I could go. Being a competitive person, fitness competition was right up my alley.What are your past accomplishments and future goals?
1993 - Fitness America Pageant - 3rd place
1994 - Ms. Fitness Cincinnati - 3rd place
1995 - Fitness America Pageant - 3rd place
I'd like to compete in the nationals and place.
What are your interests outside of fitness? Do you have a career goal?
I enjoy working with the elderly so I got a part-time job as a nurse's aide and I'm also a hairdresser which enables me to use my creative talent and giving to people that extra confidence. I'm keeping my options open as far as long term.How do you apply the fitness lifestyle to your daily life?
I have to get my workouts in 5 to 6 times a week or I just don't feel good. I eat a very low fat healthy diet that keeps me in decent shape all year round.You've made some fantastic gains in preparing for the 1996 Ms Fitness USA Competition. Tell us about your diet.
We experimented with it and found I was eating almost as many carbs as protein yet wasn't getting lean enough. So, Roger and Sandy cut down my starchy carbs and added cantaloupe and other fruit. I noticed dramatic changes. As my bodyfat lowered we also cut my meals from five per day down to four.Did you use any supplements in your nutritional program?
Yes, the first four weeks I was using a Super Pack, Lean Out, B Plex, Density Plus and Muscularity. Believe it or not, after an initial loss from 121 to 118 lb., my bodyweight stayed at 118 for almost a month while my bodyfat percentage went down from nearly 20% to 15%. My bodyfat was going down and my lean mass increased from 95 lb. initially to over 100 lb. This resulted in a lean mass gain of more than five pounds! At 4 weeks we cut my meals from five to four and substituted Cut Back for Lean Out and added Flaxseed Oil. Great products.Tell us a little about your training and cardio.
I run six days a week at 7:00 AM, 3 miles and sprints. I train 3 - 4 days a week, 45 minutes to an hour and work on my dance routine in the evenings. Training is heavy and intense for the first 2 months until the diet kicks in.What is your favorite body part ? Take us through a workout.
I really enjoy working my biceps. I'll usually warm up with dumbbell curls for 3 to 4 sets. Next I'll add straight bar curls for another 3 to 4 sets. Cable curls and incline bench dumbbell curls finish a tough biceps workout.What advice could you give a female who wants to start competing?
To make sure she has her heart into it and knows exactly what she wants out of it. She has to be self disciplined, on a very strict diet and willing to push herself the extra mile. If she looks at this preparation period as an exercise in self improvement, she is sure to come out a winner!Would you like to add any closing comments?
I love doing fitness competitions. It really shows me how strong and self disciplined I can be. It can give you that inner drive that tells you that you can do whatever you set your mind to. No matter how busy you are, take time out for yourself. No one can really push you to higher achievements but you, yourself. To accomplish a worthy goal is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. Set a goal and then go for it!
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Supplements:
Super Pak
Meal #1
Meal #2*
Meal #3*
Meal #4*
Meal #5
*Melanie often substituted a protein drink consisting of 2 scoops Muscle Provider mixed with 1 whole egg, 12 oz. ice water, and 6 frozen strawberries for any of the above meals. *One day per week she ate the following meal in place of meal #5: 2 cups hot air popcorn, or other starch (rice, sweet potato, corn,), 1 small banana or other fruit (apricots, raisins, etc.), 1 cup vegetables with 1 tsp. butter. |
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