A Workout Diva's Heaven

In case you didn't know from my one of my previous posts... I LOVE to Zumba. There's nothing that brings me more joy or can flip my mood faster. Except a puppy... did I mention I want a puppy? Anyways, I have found the perfect place in Portland to do Zumba and I love it so much that I took a once-a-week job as a receptionist just to pay for my obsession. The place I work is called the Diva Den and it's a women's only fitness studio that I tried years ago when I first moved to Portland. The place is decorated like a salon and somehow manages to always smell nice despite the fact that everyone sweats their face off in there. They even have awesome black lights and special effects in the dance studio so that you feel like you're getting down with your bad self at the club. I like to sing along in the mirror while I dance and pretend I'm Shakira. I feel so fortunate that I get to try out all their fun classes and am always blown away by the quality of the instructors. This place is top notch!

Some of the classes offered at the studio

With bikini season right around the corner I have been working my booty off to get back in shape. I have kind of neglected my fitness routine over the last few months in favor of finishing my grad program (priorities) so it was high time to get back into the swing of things. One of the beauties of living on the West Coast is that you never know when someone might be like 'let's go to Vegas next week' and I want to be ready! (any takers?) While CrossFit seems to be all the rage right now, and just about every I know has at least tried it, it just isn't for me. I have a lot of respect for those that do it but unless there is something specific that I am training for I find it hard to get motivated to go. I like pushing myself and lifting weights but I prefer to do high reps of light weights and lots of cardio. I will never be a skinny girl so I focus instead on getting tight.

In just about a month I have been able to loose about a half inch everywhere by taking these classes and making better food choices. I don't know how much weight I've lost because I don't like to stress over the number on the scale (muscle weighs more than fat) but I can tell you that I'm seeing more definition and am able to fit back into some of my clothes that had become too tight. I'm sure if I were to stop drinking I would see even better results but let's be honest here... wine is what keeps me young, social, and sane.

The video below is of the fabulous and talented Gina Grant, one of my instructors and also my inspiration. She was my first ever Zumba instructor back in the day at 24 Hour Fitness in the Pearl. Be jealous.