After being diagnosed with a hypothyroid this inspirational woman was more determined than ever to lose weight and get into the BEST shape she could be in. Her hardwork and dedication to the gym and her workouts helped her land 5th place at her first NPC show. This accomplishment has only helped her dream bigger and work harder — giving her more reasons to stay away from the Cinnamon buns and Starbucks we all love….
Meet Tiffany Gaughan. What’s next for her? How did she do it? Read on to find out…
Womens Ab Workout: TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF. WHO ARE YOU? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING AND WHTA ARE YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?
I’m a licensed cosmetologist. I specialize in extensions and integrations. I am working with one of my best friends Adrian Hernandez to launch a hair and makeup service for competitors for the 2011 season.  I am also AFAA certified to teach group exercise but that has taken a little bit of a back seat as I have been training with competitions in mind for around 8 months. I competed in my first NPC show in November 2010. I placed 5th qualifying for a national level show. It was so exciting being on stage!!! Eventually I would love to get in to personal training and of course I would love to make it Pro in the IFBB.
WAW: WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO GET INTO BIKINI COMPETITIONS AND BECOME AN NPC COMPETITOR?
Growing up I was always overweight. I was diagnosed in the 11th grade with a hypothyroid but even after getting my thyroid all straightened out and losing weight I still felt heavy. After high school I tried every diet. It never worked.
About 3 years I got serious. I started taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with my husband – did that for about a year. I started researching how to eat and how to work out so I would be in fabulous shape for my wedding. Shortly afterward about 9 months ago, I picked up a Muscle and Fitness Hers and I said to my husband. ‘I want to do this. I want to look like this!’ I was working out like crazy. I was spending hours at the gym and I thought I should be looking better than I was.
So I did some research and I found a gym in AZ that Felicia Romero and Whitney Jones opened together and asked if they could help me. Thankfully they said they would! With those two and Damian Segovia (who is amazing with figuring out what works for you and what doesn’t) watching over my nutrition and giving my direction – I now look and feel the best I have ever felt in my life. Thanks AZPro Physiques – you guys are awesome!!!
WAW: TO GET INTO GREAT SHAPE, FOR A BIKINI SHOW, YOU MUST BE PRETTY PARTICULAR ABOUT YOUR TRAINING. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING? ARE YOU INTO BODY PART TRAINING OR FULL BODY TRAINING? WHY?
I train my entire body. I’m just started my journey as a bikini competitor and didn’t have much of an athletic youth so I need to develop some muscle and tone up bit more. My legs I pay special attention to because that’s where I gain my weight. All my cardio is dual purpose – targeted for my legs. I use the stepmill (skipping a step) and the treadmill on a steep incline. I want one of those 40° incline ones. Have you seen those?!?
WAW: HOW DO YOUR WORKOUTS CHANGE AS IT GETS CLOSER TO COMPETITION TIME?
My weight training always stays the same but my cardio usually increases the closer it becomes. LAST CHANCE WORKOUT!!!
WAW: ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS OF FITNESS, WHETHER TRAINING FOR A FIGURE COMPETITION, AS YOU HAVE DONE, OR JUST TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT AND GET A FLAT STOMACH IS DIET. WHAT DOES YOUR DIET LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU ARE GETTING READY FOR A SHOW? WHAT ARE THREE TIPS YOU CAN OFFER WOMEN WHO ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THEIR EATING HABITS/DIET TO GET IN SHAPE?
So let’s see – my diet is very clean with one cheat meal a week. I don’t eat anything processed. One trick to avoiding processed food is only shopping on the outsides of grocery store (where all of the fresh food is) nothing in the middle. My favorite daily foods are oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and tilapia.Â
My number one rule is to always try to drink 1 gallon of water. Without water your body can not make the changes its needs while dieting. Number two is I never eat Carbs after 4pm. (except veggies) Even in my off season (unless it’s my cheat) Number 3 is try not put so much emphasis on food – think of it as fuel for your activities. I wait for the weekend to indulge – as a reward or treat. The hard work and self-control makes my cheat meal that much better! Even my indulging isn’t all that indulgent to be honest haha!
WAW: WHEN TRYING TO GET REALLY LEAN, SPENDING TIME DOING CARDIO BECOMES SECOND NATURE. WHAT DOES YOUR CARDIO ROUTINE LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU ARE GETTING READY FOR A SHOW? HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND DOING CARDIO AND HOW DO YOU CHANGE IT UP SO YOU DON’T GET BORED OF THE SAME ROUTINE?
Typically towards the end of my prep before a show I am doing two rounds of cardio. One in the morning for 40 minutes then another at night for 40 minutes. I almost always do my cardio in the morning at home so I put my treadmill in front of the TV and record all my favorite shows (like Parenthood and the Biggest Loser) to watch to help get through it. In the evening I would go to the gym and use the stepmill. It’s usually not boring at the gym. I know a lot of people and I always have my iPod. I just imagine myself on stage and I think to myself ‘Nobody is going to out-work me. Ever.’
In my off season I love to find a good spin class those are so much fun and not boring at all.
WAW: HOW DO YOU MENTALLY STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR DIET AND TRAINING AND NOT GIVE IN TO ‘BAD FOOD’ CRAVINGS, ESPECIALLY TRYING TO FIND TIME BETWEEN WORKING AND WORKING OUT?
I take out all the bad food in my home so I am not tempted. I always prepare my food and take it with me where ever I go. I must admit at first it felt like such a process preparing everything but it becomes routine fast. If I have my food with me I am less tempted to cheat. Plus I always have some almonds or protein powder in my purse in case I get in a pinch. I got my husband to eat these lunches and snacks with me! J
WAW: WHAT TIPS CAN YOU OFFER OTHER WOMEN TO HELP THEM AVOID THOSE CRAVINGS AND STAY ON TRACK TO THEIR FLAT STOMACH GOALS?
Always be prepared, have a healthy snack with you at all times. Always carry water with you. If you give in to a craving don’t beat yourself up. Just start with the clean eating the next day. Stressing does have an effect on the way you look and how your body responds to losing weight.
WAW: IF YOU COULD EAT ANY FOOD WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT ITS AFFECTS ON YOUR PHYSIQUE — WHAT WOULD IT BE?
It’s a tie between chocolate cupcakes or cinnamon buns. I know they’re terrible! Oh yeah and the lemon pound cake at Starbucks – yummy!!!
WAW: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU THIS YEAR?
I qualified for Nationals at my first NPC amateur show in Nov of last year! Right now I am working on building some muscle in some of the places I need it before my National debut in July. Vegas baby!
WAW: WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU?
www.tiffanygaughan.com I have it set up for my hair business as well as my fitness stuff. Oh yeah my Facebook page too! I’m easy to find!!!
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- From ‘Skinny Fat’ to ‘Strong and Lean’ – Inspiring Women: Lizzy Ostro
- Age is Just a Number – Inspiring Women: Barbara Server
- From Out of Shape Mom to Bikini Pro Mom- Inspiring Women: Michelle Cagle
Tags: 9 Months, Ab Workout, Adrian Hernandez, Back Seat, Bikini Competitions, Ching, Cinnamon Buns, Damian, Felicia, Fitness Industry, flat stomach diet, flat stomach program, Gaughan, Goals And Aspirations, Group Exercise, Hardwork, Hypothyroid, Inspirational Woman, Licensed Cosmetologist, Life Thanks, Losing Weight, Muscle And Fitness, Npc, npc competitor, One Of My Best Friends, Personal Training, Segovia, Th Grade, tiffany gaughan, Waw, Whitney Jones
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