From Overweight To Feeling Great with CKO

My entire life I have always been overweight. I was a literally closet eater. I would be that person to always hide the bad food I was eating because being overweight and then eating bad foods in public would lead to people judging me. I would be the kind of eater that would sneak all kinds of bad snacks or even eat in my car so no one would know what I was doing. However, it showed on my body. My clothes would never fit right. I would have to shop in the “Big Girl” stores and this was in middle school and high school (the hardest times to be overweight well technically obese). No matter what, I always tried to stay happy. The weight never really got to me because I was so used to it and I thought, “wow, this is all I can ever be – I’m just made to be overweight.” I would avoid mirrors and being in pictures by hiding behind other people just so it wouldn’t upset me to look back and see how big I was getting.

I told myself I was “active.” My parents had set up a gym in the basement for all of us to use. I would go on the treadmill or elliptical for 20 minutes a day. I was telling myself I worked out so that I could eat pizza and mac n’ cheese and feel okay with it. I tried every diet and all the “as seen on TV” workouts that were out there. Nothing ever worked for me because my heart was never in it.

I was turning 25 and had just gotten out of what I felt was a very toxic relationship and was the heaviest I had ever been. My spirit was down and I needed to do something for myself; I needed to find my happiness. I had a huge wake up call when the scale started creeping up and I noticed I had completely lost control over my health. I needed a change. I was about to be 25 and just couldn’t live this way anymore. I decided to give something else a try and that’s when a Google search lead me to CKO Freehold. I will never forget my first class. My best friend decided to come with me for support. We took Mike’s (one of the owner’s) class for the first time and I absolutely fell in love with the workout. I signed up for a membership the following day. I attended class 6 times a week and became hooked. I was over 270 pounds and always hid in the back of class but I showed up and gave it my all each time. My mindset changed as well with this workout. I started to not want to ruin all the hard work and sweat I was putting into classes by eating poorly anymore. My life improved outside of the gym as well. My new mindset changed my eating habits and I noticed how quickly the scale started going down and how my clothes started feeling looser.

I became very close with the trainers and members at my CKO location too. They were my biggest support during my weight-loss journey and still are. Without them believing in me and pushing me through every workout, I would not be where I currently am. Everyone at CKO knew my bag. It was the one at the end of the gym where I could go at my own pace and never be judged – only supported.

After about a year and a half, one of the trainers came up to me and said, “Jess, it’s time for you to move out of your comfort zone.” Me being the shy person I am, I was like, “I can’t. I’m going to stay in the back with my bag.” Every time he would see me though, he would say “Jess, comfort zone” to remind me. One day, I took the plunge and I decided to move to a heavy-bag in the front. I killed it! It was definitely not as scary as I thought it would be.

I love CKO. It really is my happy place. That one hour a day, I have no worries. It’s just me and my bag. I had tried everything to lose weight and feel happy in my own skin. Nothing ever stuck, nothing ever worked, until I tried CKO. It did work and continues to work for me to this day. It’s an all around mind, body, and spirit workout I love with people I love to see all the time!

CKO Kickboxing changed my life. Not only did I lose over 90 pounds, but it gave me so much confidence to do anything I put my mind to. Going to a class at CKO has no comparison. The stress and worries of the day go away while you are working out for that one hour. Physically, I have seen amazing results from the workout. Most of all though, my mindset has become so much more positive and for me that is priceless. I am forever grateful to my CKO instructors for making me feel at home and comfortable ever since I first walked into their doors. It is a gym with people who never judge you and THAT is what kept me going every day.

Now, I am not only a member but I’ve recently become a CKO instructor! I am so excited for this next journey! My goal is to hopefully help someone the same way my trainers have helped me. I want to see people meet their weight-loss goals and feel as good about themselves as I do about myself these days! I can’t wait to help so many more!

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