Building Strength....the Diva Way

I recently did some volunteer work at a local womens shelter by helping to hang drywall in one of their new family rooms.  The soreness the next day reminded me of the physical nature of the work I plan to do.

Whether Divatude comes naturally or not, everyone can benefit from a strong fitness plan.

After a thorough search for the best buff for my buck, I have decided to go with 24Hour Fitness.  Besides the obvious perk of being able to 'get my buff on' at all hours of the day, the variety of classes defintely piqued my interest.  They have everything a diva could want--strength training, yoga/pilates, dance (can't wait to Zumba!), kickboxing, cycling, water training....you name it and it can probably be found there. PLUS, a basketball gym, lap pool, sauna and whirlpool. AND of course, the obligatory free weights, cardio machines and circuit training.

Construction work is physical work, and being in shape is a requirement for anyone seeking to make their way. For women, this is even more necessary, as many of the men encountered will have preconcieved  ideas about your abilities anyway.  Be ready to put in your 10 to 12 hour days, and another 2 at the gym.  In the long run, your efforts will pay off.

What a week! Being a Diva has its drawbacks, one of which is that you have to maintain your Divatude.

With that in mind, and despite having the flu, I went off this week to apply for Green Energy & Construction training at Mi Casa Resource Center in Lakewood, CO. This 10 week, intensive, hand-on program trains Coloradans in Solar Panel Installation, Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency. Considering my long term goals, it would have been a travesty not to apply.  So me, my flu germs and Bessie (my '95 Ford Escort wagon, complete with stick shift) jumped on I-70 and headed towards our future.

I was pleasantly surprised at the length and the detail of the application. For me, it demonstrated the level of commitment Mi Casa expects from the program participants. I feel this is important. Being a lady roughneck is hard; being a roughneck diva will be even more challenging.  I want, and expect, real training, not just lip service to the idea of women in construction.  The Center itself has been recognized by then-First Lady, now Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for their work with the un- and under-employed in the Denver area. The woman I interviewed with, Jill, greeted me warmly and treated me with dignity and respect.  In turn, she seemed impressed with the thoughtfulness and detail of my 5 year plan. At the end of the interview, I was invited back to an orientation and testing meeting later this month.  Both Jill and I feel very confident I will make the cut.

Next class starts April 10th, spring weather!!

The Beginning

After many years and countless hours of watching HGTV and DIY Network, I finally admitted to myself I had a secret desire to handle power tools.  I also realized that I wanted to create beautiful places for folks to live; calm, colorful refuges from the raging recession outside.  When I heard about a free program that offered basic training and certifications in the construction industry, I took a deep breath and enrolled.

It is estimated that about 6% of all construction jobs are held down by women.  However, that number is expected to increase significantly as the economy recovers and more stimulus funds for roads and green jobs becomes available.

As I traverse the male dominiated world of construction, I invite you to stop by from time to time. I hope to bring a new and insightful look into the murky world of power tools and heavy equipment.