Sergio workin’ it

Theresa and Sarah, two of my favorite girls that always push me to my workout limits in class

Sergio and I

The girls: Kassandra, Brenda, Marinella and Lauren. Don’t they look amazing??!!??

That’s a wrap!

Earlier this year Sergio had asked some of his students to be a part of his promo video. How could I say no to this handsome man that whipped me into the best shape of my life! It was of course an honor to be a part of it and I’m excited to share it with you here!

Since I met Sergio, he has always been an inspiration in helping me to achieve my full potential and constant encouragement. He’s a kind-hearted person who truly cares about his students and takes the time to teach and correct their form. From the first day I took his class, he scared the crap out of me, but his brutally honest and positive reinforcement kept me coming back and pushing my body harder each time! I recently asked him to share some his tips and secrets to staying in shape and how we created my favorite workout class!

Q: Tell me about your fitness background?

A: I have been in fitness my whole life. I grew up with great visuals and examples such as my dad, who was a boxer and trained extensively with weights. I also ran track in school and have danced professionally with many amazing celebrities on tours, TV, and films. My extensive training in gymnastics and kickboxing have allowed me to always be open to learning new ways to grow as a fitness professional! 

Q: What’s your favorite outdoor activity to get in shape?

A: Training clients and group fitness is very demanding and I love doing most of the workout along with my students in class. I’ve recently started running, which has become my favorite outdoor activity. I spend this personal time listening to my favorite music, focusing on myself while taking in the quiet and the beauty we so often seem to miss while driving the busy streets of LA!

Q: In your opinion, what’s the secret and success to staying in shape?

A: Find a workout that challenges and motivates you every time you are in the gym. For that hour, kill it and push your body to the limits. Stop wasting time and taking up space at the gym!

Q: Now, let’s get down to business. What inspired you to create PowerSerge? 

A: I didn’t want to teach the usual sculpting class or someone else’s method! With my extensive and diverse background, I knew I could come up with a program that is constantly challenging. My workout is a calorie-burning workout and focuses on movements that create long, lean muscle. I have yet to see any other workout as different and unique as PowerSerge!

Coming from a professional dancer background and understanding the importance of warming up your muscles, I always begin my class with this a short warm-up. I slowly increase the intensity and include stretching exercises throughout the class. The next portion of the class includes 3 to 5 lb weighted balls. I’ve recently incorporated the ViPR (weighted rubber tube) for the men in my classes. I love the ViPR, it such a great workout tool! Towards the end of class, I use the weighted body bar for basic ballet sculpting movements, isolations and extensions. This also encourages my students to learn how to move a little more fluid fashion, which is something they are not usually taught in a sculpting class. Finally, I wrap-up arms and abs – this is a must! I never skip working out the abs since it’s an important part of working out the core.

Q: What’s your one favorite/most effective workout move to achieve results?

A: When I’m working out, my personal favorite exercise move is something I created on the bars, which is demonstrated in the promo video. It’s a combination between wipers and flairs. When I’m teaching class, I love the oblique twist, which is done with the ball or ViPR- these will shred your abs and core up!

Q: Any favorite songs that are must-haves in class?

A: I always stick to music that is popular and fast-paced. People’s moods instantly change when they recognize a song and can sing along, like many of my students do. It enhances their workout and experience in my class.

Q: Any tips on how to stay motivated?

A: Staying motivated for many people is very difficult! People have to mentally decide to make a change in their body and health. The best advice I give to clients is to bring their favorite songs to workout with and find classes like PowerSerge that are fun and get you in shape! I also like to be brutally honest with my students and clients, but with a sense of humor. I hit them with the truth because I don’t like to sugar coat things. I lay it on THICK followed by a joke to lighten the mood! For most people, it’s a rude awakening but I see an instant but positive change in people’s work ethic and attitude when they come to my class! They know they’re coming to my class for a hard workout and I expect nothing less than their very best effort. I’m here to change people’s bodies and perception of working out and it’s not always easy.

Q: Any tips on getting the most out of each cardio session?

A: Most people in the fitness industry will just advise to do a continuous fast paced workout and go for the big sweat. I disagree! Every cardio set has to be better than the last, making your cardio sets Anaerobic. This will shock your system into the next gear and allow you to continue to build upon your current fitness level! You have train like an animal in your workouts and continue to build upon that good feeling of hard work and accomplishment. If you stay at the same pace throughout your cardio routine, you are going to bore your body to death! You might as well get on a treadmill, which I call “hamster wheel.”  If you insist on using the treadmill, make sure to change it up with intense intervals.

My #1 pick: ASICS Gel 33 in Rainbow (note: neon eeekkkkk!!!!) My husband called these “mental” but these were love at first sight for me and I refused to leave without these in my hands!

Nike TR Fit 2 in Hot Punch

Nike Airmax 2012

Nike Knit Tank

Zella “Pop Statement” Tank

Zella Ruched Detail Jacket

Zella “Go” Shorts

Zella Gathered Tote

Clarisonic

Burberry Lipgloss Set

Bobbi Brown Makeup Set

Sultra Curling Cone

If you can’t tell I’m probably the world’s hugest fan of the color purple! It’s clearly a popular color this season but just in case it’s not for you there’s plenty of other items that are not purple. Check out the pre-sale online now at Nordstrom.com or on the official start of the sale on Friday, July 20 for the latest and greatest Fall merchandise. Happy shopping!

Next, I decided that the look and feel would be very vintage/whimsical theme or as Larinna’s fiance’s sister, Sarah, would say, “very Taylor Swift”. I had decided on a soft shade of pink as the main color throughout with pink and grays accent colors.

Some of my DIY projects included ombre stamps on the doilies, spray painted silver butterflies, painted bird cages, ribbon walls, signs and much more!

The bride with her bridal shower guests

No bridal shower is complete without a well stocked candy and dessert bar, which in this case were pink!

Only pink presents and gifts allowed at this bridal shower!

Ribbon wall

Twinzies!!

The Maids!

At times, I had thought I had taken on too many projects and my plans were too grand but with the help of Jared’s family and mine, we were able to make everything come together just in time!

My extremely resourceful and talented husband helped me to create this slideshow of Jared and Larinna. You can check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfICnD2meQw.

In the end the bridal shower was a success and Larinna was thrilled!

Below was my criteria for new ballet shoes:

-leather

-split sole

-snug fitting

-Bloch or Capezio have always been my preference from the past

After some online research and heading to The Dance Store www.thedancestore.com in Los Angeles, where I was fitted properly and given a large selection, I fell in love with the latest Bloch Elastosplit. The shoes took a while to get used to since it allows the arch more freedom but definitely the easiest pair of shoes I’ve ever had to break in and provide an almost custom fit.

According to the Bloch website, “The “Elastosplit” is a cutting edge design; by removing unnecessary materials the dancer’s arch becomes more visible. The dancer’s foot is still supported and protected whilst looking incredibly streamlined. Elastosplit is available in the ‘X’ and ‘PI’ design, to give security and comfort to different foot shapes.”

Chic blank panther statue

My adorable new friend

Official Hoffwatch jacket with an autographed Hasselhoff banana!

My job includes many unique responsibilities such as Food Stylist

David Hasselhoff posing for photos

On my way out, a crew member brought by his replica car of K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider. I just HAD to check it out. O.M.G. it was awesome!

1. You will never regret going to the gym or squeezing in a good workout. This is the number one tip I always tell everyone when they say they don’t want to go to the gym and I’ve noticed it really gives people the motivation to follow through

2. Set realistic goals. Whether it’s an upcoming trip with your girlfriends, the thought of Summer being here before you know it or for health reasons, having something to look forward to will help you make baby steps and feel like it’s possible!

3. Know your weaknesses and how to overcome them. Getting up in the morning can be difficult for me so every night I pack my gym bag and lunch, set out my workout clothes for the next day and make sure that I get 7 hours of sleep so I’m ready to go when my alarm wakes me up

4. Find classes you enjoy and you will never feel like working out is a chore. I’ve fallen in love with Equinox and their amenities. I also enjoy their challenging classes so when I enter the gym, it’s my happy place that I always look forward to going

5. Make friends! Having a support system at the gym and holds you accountable and one more reason to be social

6. Your fitness should be a priority. I treat my workout classes like a second job and my #1 personal commitment to myself

7. Stick to a schedule. This mentally reinforces your commitment to your fitness goals. Knowing that I have workout classes every morning, even on the weekends helps me plan accordingly. I never schedule anything on Tuesday nights knowing that I have Buff Ballet Body that night

8. Your body is a science experiment. No one is perfect and if you splurge one day then tomorrow is a new day to start over. Know that you can always try new things to keep yourself from getting bored and what’s most important is figuring out what’s best for you. Everyone is unique so try and explore new classes, different times to workout and foods you may not normally eat

9. Deciding you want to make a change in your life. Getting in shape, eating healthy and putting in the time is the first step to success. Fitness is a life-long journey that requires hard work mentally and physically

10. Keep track of your accomplishments. This will remind you how far you’ve come on days when you feel defeated or unmotivated

11. Proper workout attire. Wearing the right clothes and shoes will not only keep you from injuring yourself but also help you perform your best. As silly as it may sound, I look forward to getting dressed in my hot pink workout capris

With summer just around the corner, a reminder that I’ll be wearing a bikini soon is a BIG motivator for me!

My yearly trips to Hawaii are a goal to start getting into shape ASAP!

My sister is a great support system when I’m feeling overwhelmed with trying to reach my fitness goals. She reminds me of how far we’ve come and we make a new plan on how to achieve my goals

Halloween is one of my favorite reasons to celebrate in silly, outrageous costumes! What better reason than to be able to wear whatever you want on Halloween!

Any tips that help you stay on track? You ready to make a positive change in your life?

My “office” view for the day

Fancy bathroom. I think I need one like this at home complete with a deep hot tub and separate shower

My suite for the night. Gotta love allllllll the extra room especially for the work things I had brought and a hotel that ONLY has hotel suites.

Mario Batali is one of my favorite Chefs and I HAD to take the opportunity to dine at one of his Vegas restaurants since I had never been to any of them in Vegas.

Appetizer: 1-Grilled radicchio with baked mozzarella drizzled with basalmic vinegar

Appetizer 2- Proscutto

My main dish was Buccatini! It’s not often that many Italian restaurants have this available and it’s my absolute favorite

Dessert: Deconstructed lemon merengue pie. I LOVE anything for dessert with lemon so I had to have this! YUM!

It’s safe to say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself and to try some of my favorite dishes. All of the food I tried was amazing and did not disappoint. I can’t wait to come back and try Mario Batali’s other restaurants.

The real reason I came to Vegas was for the IT’SUGAR store opening. For anyone who loves candy, this is THE place to go. They have everything imaginable and more! I always love going to the different IT’SUGAR store locations.

Store front across from Tao

Front entrance

WONKA!

Official opening to everyone complete with Oompa Loompas

Oompa Loompas +NERDS+Venetian Gondola= LOVE!

Overall, it was a fun trip filled with lots of exciting and new firsts for me! Looking forward to going back to Vegas again soon.

I started off with creating custom insoles by Foot Balance to give my feet more support. After trying these for the first time, I’ll never wear workout shoes without them.

I ended up choosing top of the line Asics, GEL-Kinsei 4. It helped that they came in my favorite colors (purple and gray). The special cleat-like heel helped to cup my narrow heel. The gel in the heels provided cushioning and support for my high-impact training classes. The memory foam inside the shoe provided comfort and felt like I was running on pillows. Lastly, the plastic molding that holds the heel and toe together allowed to keep my foot stable and from moving around. I never leave the house without these when I’m going on a work trip or going to be on my feet all way. I’m onto my second pair and am glad they have come out with my second favorite colors (purple and black). They’re a bit flashier than my first pair but definitely fit my personality and style. I also forgot to mention, though they look bulky that’s farther from the truth with a weight of 11.9 ounces.

About Asics Gel-Kinsel 4 from AsicsAmerica.com:

With a roomy toe-box, lower midsole, and discrete GEL® Cushioning System in the heel, this veteran is better than ever.

• Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®)
  ASICS® design philosophy that employs linked componentry to enhance the foot’s natural gait from heel strike to toe-off.
• Guidance Line®
  Vertical flex groove decouples the tooling along the line of progression for enhanced gait efficiency.
• Heel Clutching System™
  Exoskeletal heel counter provides improved support and creates improved heel fitting environment.
• Discrete Heel Unit
  Takes the Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®) to a new level by creating our highest degree of shock attenuation and stability.
• Propulsion Trusstic®
  Mimics connective tissue in the foot by creating tension as foot enters propulsion stage.
• Cuprothermo
  Metallic film that retains heat in cold weather and releases heat in warm weather

If you haven’t taken the opportunity to try on a pair of Asics, then you’re missing out! Go to your local store and try on a pair. Due to these very high-tech shoes, they’re only available at specialty stores but overall, I can confidently say their shoes fit me better than any other on the market and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Give your feet the support they need to perform at your very best!