- April 26, 2024
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Melissa Morreale says she would become a real MOMster, if she doesn't work out for a day. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Morreale became an official professional this past May with a runner-up finish at the NGA Gator Classic in Ormond. Courtesy photo
Morreale's daughter, Kiya, tries to plank with her at a contest that Morreale won. Courtesy photo
Morreale pushes a tractor tire for training. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Having put in three months straight of nonstop training for her body building competition, Melissa Morreale can stand on stage in a two-piece bikini with a perfect tan, flexing every muscle to prove how hard she worked to go from a pregnant mom to six-pack abs.
What began as a self-challenge to one day compete in a bikini body building competition for Morreale has transformed into a lifestyle of health, fitness and body building.
Morreale, a mom of a 4- and 2-year-old, Kiya and Luca, has always been petite. But, after losing her baby fat from her youngest child, she felt thin but not fit. That’s when she decided to set a goal to enter a bikini body building competition one time, but she wasn’t encouraged by family and friends.
“Everyone doubted me,” Morreale said. “That’s when I knew I had to do it to prove them all wrong.”
Morreale began weight training five times per week, and she radically changed her eating habits. She would track every gram in everything she ate, and she ate every two hours, beginning at 7 a.m.
“It’s tough at the beginning,” Morreale said, “but, once you understand it and give it time, it all comes together.”
As a part of her training, Morreale bear crawls down walkways, completes 100 burpee exercises and performs other strenuous activities.
“A lot of people who aren’t involved in this industry think I’m just a woman flaunting my body in a bikini,” she said, “but
“A lot of people who aren’t involved in this industry think I’m just a woman flaunting my body in a bikini, but I’m an athlete, although people don’t always recognize that side.”
MELISSA MORREALE
I’m an athlete, although people don’t always recognize that side.” I worked my butt off to get to where I am. Some people enjoy surfing. Some people love basketball or soccer. I love weightlifting. It’s in my heart; it’s my passion.”
Last year, Morreale competed in her first competition at the National Gym Association’s State Natural competition, and she won first place in Bikini Debut, Bikini Open Short and finished runner-up in Bikini Open.
“I built my brand based on being a hard-working mom who went from having a baby to having a six pack,” Morreale said. “Everyone telling me I couldn’t do it inspired me to shut them up. I grew up a pageant girl, so, when you win, it becomes addicting. And I love new challenges.”
Morreale recently received her pro card after placing runner up in the NGA’s Gator Classic on May 6, in Ormond.
Morreale, a personal trainer, has created fitness program called MOMster Fitness, which is geared around her fitness lifestyle. Through it, she inspires women in the gym and online to live a healthy lifestyle and reach fitness goals.
Morreale has also inspired her daughter, Kiya, who made sure everyone at her mothers’ training gym knew about her first win and her trophy the following week. Kiya has likes to do squats and burpees with her mom, and she even eats broccoli and steak and potatoes.
On the ultimate benefit of her healthy lifestyle, Morreale said, “I can take my kids to the playground and run around like a mad woman. I can be the best that I am. And, the fact that I change women’s lives and promote the platform means the world to me.”
Follow Morreale’s MOMster Fitness Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/momsterfitness/about/?ref=page_internal.
