Interview with Melissa Sorensen
Transformation of the Month - March 2010
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
WP: Melissa was like so many mom's in this day and time. Once she had children, she allowed herself to become overweight. Once she saw a picture of herself, she was amazed at how she looked. From that moment on, she decided to make a change! Melissa started at 203 pounds in November 2008 and we are pleased to say that today, she weighs 135 pounds.
As we know, having C-sections during child birth can hinder the ab muscles since the muscles are cut during surgery. The more C-sections a woman has, the worse the effects are on the muscles. But, Melissa is a proven case that you can strengthen the ab muscles back and be in shape once again. We hope that this interview will bring awareness to mom's everywhere that C-sections and child birth doesn't have to mean being overweight for the remaining of your life. There is a rainbow at the end of the tunnel.
“I was 203 pounds after having my three babies in August 2008. I had three cesarean sections so, my stomach muscles were shot.”
WP: Congratulations on winning our ‘Transformation of the Month’. How does it feel to be considered for such a title?
MS: Shocked! My transformation alone has been a huge accomplishment for me personally, but to be recognized for it is amazing.
WP: Can you tell our readers a little about what who you are, what you are made of, and where you came from?
MS: I am 32 years old and am originally from California. After high school I joined the Air force, and then was honorably discharged in 2000. I, then, worked as a Sergeant in a private prison under a federal contract. I met my husband in California and we had our first child in 2006. We, then, decided to relocate to Florida. I, then, had another baby in 2007 and another in 2008! I now have three beautiful babies under the age of three. It has been a little overwhelming, mentally and physically.
WP: During your transformation, did you decide to go with a Personal Trainer, self knowledge, or a gym?
MS: I did not have a personal trainer; however, I had met a great bunch of ladies that were trainers and instructors at the gym that I went to. They gave me tips and a lot of motivation.
WP: What made you decide you were ready to transform?
MS:I saw a picture of myself one day and did not know that it was me. I keep that picture as a reminder of what I never will allow myself to be again.
WP: What was the biggest challenge you faced while going through your transformation?
MS: The biggest challenge for me was to stay away from sweets. I am an extremist, so if I slipped up and had a sweet treat, I felt the day was ruined already. I continued the rest of the day of awful eating.
WP: What program did you follow and explain how it worked for you?
MS: In the beginning, I took spin classes three days a week followed with a weight lifting (pump) class. Two days a week I did combat and attack classes followed by a yoga class. I, then, decided to run my first half marathon. I trained for that for twelve weeks. After I completed my half marathon, I really started to get motivated and hit the weight room.
WP: How would you descibe the physique you started with?
MS: Ha-ha! I am embarrassed to even think about it. I just had three babies in three years and used that as an excuse to eat everything in sight. I was 203 pounds after having my three babies in August 2008. I had three cesarean sections, so my stomach muscles were shot.
WP: How does your life compare now to before your transformation?
MS: My whole life is affected in a positive manner. I have the energy to keep up with three babies, workout every day, and attend full-time college. I feel better and look better today than before I had children.
WP: That is amazing! Did it ever come a time that you came to a ‘stand still’ in your progress?
MS: I went through a phase of working out hard Monday through Friday and eating healthy. Then on Saturday and Sunday, I ate whatever I wanted. Yeah, that allowed me to maintain my weight, but I definitely was not seeing any good results.
WP: What did you do differently to overcome the ‘stand still’?
MS: I had to be more disciplined on the weekends to push through to the weekdays by maintaining a healthy diet.
WP: How long did it take for your complete transformation?
MS: Well, I am far from done! I started hitting the gym in November 2008 and weighed 203 lbs. I really started eating clean and had a workout regimen that works for me in April 2009. Today, I weigh 135 lbs. I am excited to now take my body from losing the “baby weight” to sculpting an amazing physique.
WP: Wow! What a difference in your weight! Can you give me an example of your current workout so it might help some of our readers?
MS: I work-out Monday through Friday every morning from 9:15 to around 11:00. My current workout consists of running between three to four miles three days a week, then lifting. I do bi ‘s and tri’s on Monday, legs on Wednesday, and back and shoulders on Friday. Tuesday and Thursday, I do different classes such as combat, Zumba, and kick and core. Every day I do ab work.
WP: How does your diet compare now to before?
MS: Wow, I wish I knew before the importance of eating “clean”. I used to eat whatever I wanted and waited a long to eat, and when I did eat, I would eat large portions.
WP: Can you break down your daily diet into a sample diet for us?
MS: Sure!
Breakfast: Protein shake and oatmeal
Post-workout: Protein shake and nonfat yogurt.
Lunch: Tuna, turkey, or chicken wrap or a grilled chicken salad.
Snack: Protein shake with blueberries.
Dinner: Salmon, small sweet potato, and vegetables.
WP: What would you like to say to motivate others to transform their lives?
MS: It may be a cliche, but if I can do it anyone can. People ask me all of the time how I have time with three babies to get to the gym. I always tell them when I go to the gym it’s “me” time, and makes me a better mother and person in general. I would tell them to start now. Do not wait. Life is short and being physically fit will make you mentally fit, as well.
WP: What a great point you made about being fit makes you a better mom. To me, that statement is so true! What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique? How are you attempting to correct them?
MS: My legs and biceps always seem to feel strong. I have been working hard on trying to lean down on my triceps. I know that it’s probably diet, so I hope to see continued results.
WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?
MS: I would say boredom with the longer periods of cardio. I have recently really been trying to incorporate more of a variety of spin and combat classes and changing my lifting routine monthly.
WP: How have you, mentally and physically, changed over the years?
MS: Complete improvement. Overall, I feel more focused and driven towards goals that I set whether it is physical, family, education, or personal goals.
WP: Any shout outs?
MS: First and foremost, to my beautiful family! My children Colin, Alexander, and Guliana, you are Mommy’s world! A shout out to my husband, thank you for the continued support and compliments even when I was not on top of my game. To my girls that have kept me motivated and encouraged in the gym, you have no idea how much impact you have made on me to be a better person.
WP: If I were to open your fridge and kitchen cabinets, what would I find in them?
MS: Well, lots of turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, peanut butter, and protein shakes. Some of my favs would also be Special K cereal with protein and Yoplait fat free white chocolate yogurt.
Don’t look too far in the cabinets though, my husband always has candy and cookies stashed in the cabinets hidden from me.
WP: Ha-ha! How funny! I thought you were going to say that they were for your kids but instead, you said they were for your husband! If I were to walk into your house and have a look around, what type of fitness equipment would I find?
MS: I have no equipment at home. For some reason I have zero motivation to work out at home, however, as soon as I step foot in a gym, it’s on.
WP: I use to be the same way. I think it's because to a woman, the house is her job. Or, it was for me. What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
MS: Running! I ran my first half marathon last year and I am now addicted. I love to just do a 3 to 4 mile run, I feel completely refreshed afterwards.
WP: Good luck with that! Ha-ha! I found out at a very early age running wasn't for me! I can get down with speed walking, but running is not for me. Where are you going from here? What are your future goals for your career, this industry, and your physique?
MS: I feel like I have gotten the weight off, but I still have a ways to go. I want to look and feel physically like one of these amazing women on the cover of great magazines like this one.
WP: The interview is coming to a close now. Is there anything that you would like to add prior the end of the interview?
MS: I just want to thank World Physique Magazine for giving me this opportunity to tell my story and for giving me even more motivation for self improvement. I can’t wait to continue my transformation; I hope to have even more amazing results, stay tuned.
WP: Sounds like we will have to invite you back at a later date to get the scoop! We are delighted to have you featured as our ‘Transformation of the Month’. Thank you for taking the time out to hold this interview with us. We wish you the best of luck in the future.
