Stunning Fitness

Interview with fitness model Tisha Rodrigues:

1. What is your background? How did you become interested in fitness?

Well, first let me say thank you for having me on your wonderful website. I am married with three children ages 12, 6 and 8. I am a personal trainer and fitness model and I am a fitness columnist. I am a trained kickboxer and have been trained in martial arts for the past 9 years. I basically joined the gym to get back into shape after my third child was born. I saw a competition flyer up in Gold’s Gym and six years later here I am competing now within NPC. I also recovered from an eating disorder which I feel the health and fitness industry has saved me from forever.

2. Can you please describe a “typical” day for you?

A typical day..? I doubt my days are quite typical..(laughing).. My day always changes because sometimes I wake up and put the kids on the bus and take off for the gym which I stay at for about 2 hours and other days I am training others. I have activities I need to bring my children to on different days of the week like karate, singing and gymnastics. Contrary to STEREOTYPE, i do not do the majority of the cooking. My husband actually cooks for me and the kids. I am the “official” housekeeper. I do all the cleaning, I am extremely OCD, so I spend a lot of extra time cleaning up my home. Then it’s homework, which I am mainly in charge of, taking care of our pets and doing my writing, reading stories to the kids etc… My husband is in MMA, so on Mon and Tue night it is up to me.

3. How do you motivate yourself to get and stay so fit?

By competing… Competing COMPLETES me. It’s a passion like kickboxing and writing. Training is far from a chore to me, I love it. Can’t say I love the diet, but I have come from a dark place when I was unhealthy, so fitness keeps me strong and feeling alive. I love being on stage and I am very competitive. Fitness is a lifestyle and the whole family is a part of it in one way or another.

4. What forms of exercise do you find to be the most effective?

I prefer changing things up all of the time. I do not believe just one exercise alone is effective. I believe it’s a combination of them all and keeping your muscles on their toes!

5. What is your normal eating plan like? Do you have any type of “special” diet for getting leaner?

Yes, well a competition diet of course, that’s just no fun at all, but I always stick to it. Mainly chicken, veggies, steak, baked potatoes, oatmeal and good ole egg whites. My diet is very boring, this year my nutritionist is making me eat fish! Of course I always have my fish oil and flaxseed.

6. Do you use any supplements? If so, which do you recommend?

I use Superpump 250, Glutamine by Gaspari nutrition, Slenderful by Champion Nutrition and I LOVE LOVE my OH YEAH wafer protein bars!

7. Are there any other products or techniques you recommend for getting fit and looking great?

I think it’s different for everyone and there are no 2 bodies alike. You need to play with your diet all of the time and see what works best for you. Basically a lot of hard work and dedication will get you through the long haul and training and nutrition go hand and hand.

8. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Please visit me at TishaLynnRodrigues.com or Myspace.com/TishalynRodrigues