90 Minute CKO Kickboxing Fundraiser

Hurricane Sandy. I'm sure anyone and everyone knows about this hurricane that took many lives and destroyed dozens upon dozens of houses, especially houses on the New Jersey coast. It also destroyed our shore... it's sad, not only for the people who lost everything, but for those who spent their summers down the shore and turned moments into memories. We can no longer go "dts," at least not yet - clean up will take months.

While I wasn't greatly affected, I know others who were - those who lost their home, including everything in it... a home that now has to be demolished and built back up again, those who lost power for 7+ days, and those who simply lost a tree in their front yard. I provided my house as a safe haven for others to come and charge up, to chat and enjoy a healthy lunch, and to sleep when their house got too cold.

I wanted to do more though, much more. While I'd love to volunteer to clean up the shores, they aren't accepting too many volunteers, at least not yet. Instead they are asking that people donate money and supplies to help those in need. As soon as CKO Kickboxing announced that they'd be holding a fundraiser challenge, I signed up immediately. Those that signed up would donate $20, which would go to the Red Cross and participate in a 90 minute kickboxing challenge. They were also collecting supplies ranging from socks to toothpaste! Aside from the money, I had a couple of extra gallons of bleach and donated that, because I figured that during the clean up, it might be necessary to have. I also recruited my mom and my friend to join.

We arrived early that morning and claimed our bags, three in a row. We also began to stretch, and before you knew it we were faced with the 90 minute challenge of kickboxing! There were 6 trainers who took their turns pushing us to our limits, and I must admit it was intense, but well worth the sweat. I just kept thinking about all of the people that lost everything and that only made me punch and kick harder. I love kickboxing, so I loved the challenge, and it was great doing it with people I care about. We made it, though sweaty, we had finished!

I found out later that day that we had raised $6,000 to support Sandy Relief efforts and had collected a few tons of supplies. I couldn't have been any prouder at that moment, to realize that I had helped... no matter how bad I busted up my knuckles!

CKO Kickboxing

I've been working at CKO Kickboxing, as their child care provider, for almost a year now, and I only just started kickboxing there in July! I was nervous to start kickboxing, because, even though I made it through the trial class a few years back, I was afraid I wasn't going to make it through now that I hadn't been playing softball or working out. So, therefore, I started the Tone It Up workouts, and was soon ready to try a class.

Now I'm addicted and I attend a kickboxing session three times a week. If I don't attend a class on a day I'm supposed to, I freak out. I love the hour torture, and who wouldn't when you burn 1,200 calories in that 1 hour! (Now I need to buy a Polar heart rate monitor to see if I really do burn that many calories!)

[via instagram: kristynnicole1]

According to the CKO website:

"Muscle and Fitness Magazine rates Fitness Kickboxing as the number one fat burner, with over 1,200 calories burned during a one hour class! At CKO, you will be burning fat and toning up by punching and kicking a real, hanging heavy bag. The resistance from hitting a hanging heavy bag burns more calories and tones your muscles up faster than if you were just punching and kicking the air. We keep the punches and kicks basic to focus on the fitness aspect of the workout rather than the martial art itself. Since the class is for both beginners and advanced members, it is geared for each member to go at your own pace and build up your pace each class. Unlike the fitness kickboxing classes offered at other gyms where all you hit is air, CKO uses REAL HEAVY BAGS to give you REAL RESULTS.

CKO Kickboxing was originally formed in Hoboken, NJ as "Take It To The Max" in November, 1997 by Joseph Andreula. Joseph designed and created the intense workout, which was the first of its kind. CKO became so popular in Hoboken, that by 2004, nine additional locations opened throughout NJ and NY. In the summer of 2005, CKO opened the doors to its second Hoboken gym and today has 30 locations! CKO has a massive army of devoted followers and has been recognized in countless national fitness magazines and televison programs such as NBC’s The Today Show."


If you live in NJ or NY I suggest you go to a CKO Kickboxing class, and try it out for free. You can sign up for a class online, call to sign up, or arrive early to a class and sign up then. You'll get a small orientation, and aside from paying $20 for gloves, if you don't have any, you're all set! At some locations, there are even other classes like TRX and Boot Camp that you can take, and an area for weights. If you don't have a CKO in your area, then definitely try and take a kickboxing class elsewhere. I promise these classes will not disappoint. 

[via instagram: kristynnicole1]

I love the way I feel during, as well as after - I'm stronger and I'm more confident in myself after taking a kickboxing class. 

If you do decide to take a class - let me know how you did and if you liked it! If you've taken one before, how was it?!

Progress Pictures will be posted on Monday - so watch out!

Series of Baseball Games and Life

So I'm sitting here watching the Subway Series, of course rooting for my Mets. Unfortunately, I cannot get comfortable, due to the fact that I took a Cardio Kickboxing class with my one of my best friends, Hayley, on Friday. It was intense, but we kept up. I worked out muscles that I haven't worked out in awhile. I thought I was sore when I did CKO Kickboxing, but I think this might've been worse. I hope to attend this class every Friday, since it's free on campus. 


I also want to try and find the time to attend a yoga class. I wouldn't mind getting certified to teach yoga, and have been thinking about how this deep relaxation is of any benefit to children. At my preschool I get frustrated at times, and need to take a couple deep breathes, in which I also inform the children to do the same. I also tell the children to take deep breathes when they get angry with another child, or angry in general and it usually works. 


I've learned that children need an outlet to channel their energy. They get angry easily and usually resort to violence. They need to learn, especially at an earlier age, where to channel this energy, because as the years go on, they will be watching more T.V and playing more video games that ensue violence is the answer to all problems. Therefore, by doing yoga, children will know how to control this anger and learn to relax. 


In order to do this, I need to become certified, which would be just another thing to add to my plate, but hey ya only live life once right? So why not take all the chances you can get. 

Kickin' It.

Time for Change! This picture is so enlightening and exciting. Perfect for this time in my life.

What an amazing picture from - Shannonpix's Shop - Check it out.

Recently I signed up at CKO Kickboxing for a free week trial. 

CKO KICKBOXING!

Let me just tell you, that even after only taking three classes, I am now ADDICTED to kickboxing. I haven't worked out that hard or sweated that much ever! I used to go to the gym on campus and didn't work out half as much as I do kickboxing. I love the whole instructor telling you exactly what to do, always keeping you moving. At the gym I'd end up taking more water breaks and wondering what I should do, than doing the actual working out. During kickboxing, depending on the instructor, you take a minimum amount of breaks for a few seconds each. The instructors keep you busy by having you punch/kick the bag, push-ups, crunches, sit-ups, jumping jacks, jump rope, and any other exercise to tone not only your arms and legs, but your stomach too! 

I swear by kickboxing. It is the most intense workout I have ever experienced. Although I am extremely sore, I want to keep going! I never went to the gym by myself, but with kickboxing I am all for going by myself. I cannot wait to see my toned body, even after just a week. You're supposed to burn at least 800 calories in the hour long class. 

I intend to sign up for kickboxing when my week is through. Although it's quite expensive at $699.00 a year, there are other packages for three months, each month, 10 weeks, etc. I am willing to spend money on something I know will work. 

I'm also eating healthier!

My New Year's Resolutions # 3. work out more often & eat healthier = more toned & fit .. can be crossed off.

The #6. be more charitable ... is also being worked on. 

Like I've previously said, I will be walking in the March for Dimes [March for Babies]. In April, I will be walking to raise money to support programs in my community that will help mothers not only have healthy, but also full-term pregnancies. For some reason, I feel the need to fundraise, as well as walk for this organization. I just told my family, as well as friends and my boyfriend, and they are backing me up 100%. I'm so thankful. This is going to be a whole new experience for me because I have never ran a marathon or walked for a charity. This is an exciting new chapter in my life, and I feel so very lucky to share this with all of you. 

I also have been signing petitions for animal protection as well as for people, including children. 

This is the website you can use if you want to sign petitions to help too! - The Animal Rescue Site

This is the website you can use if you'd like to donate to the March for Dimes [March for Babies] - MARCH FOR BABIES - DONATE PLEASE! :] 

Please help these great causes, it will be greatly appreciated!