Just Malanb Fitness Talk to Ross Cascio of Krav Maga Worldwide

Hello all my Just Malanb readers! As you all know, I am currently trying to reach my fitness goal of being 150 pounds. So far I have lost 0ver 75 pound but I find myself plateauing and looking for a new way to lose weight, get fit, and learning self defense.  Since I am going through my workout diemmas, why not feature great innovative exercise with even better resultss and a rich history. 

Well I am so happy to be able to interview Ross Cascio of Krav Maga Worldwide. Krav Maga is full of high-intensity kicks and punches that shape the body and overall health. 

So without future ado, here is Just Malanb Fitness Talk to Ross Cascio of Krav Maga Worldwide

Ross Cascio
Photo courtesy of Krav Maga Worldwide

First, I would like to thank you for doing this interview. Can you introduce yourself to the Just Malanb readers?

Ross Cascio: 

My name is Ross Cascio. I'm a Krav Maga Worldwide™ Expert Level Self-Defense and Fitness instructor. 

I train and teach at the Krav Maga Worldwide HQ Training Centers in West Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks, California.

Photo courtesy of Krav Maga Worldwide

How did Krav Maga Worldwide come to be?

Ross Cascio: 

Krav Maga as a martial art was developed by a man named Imi Licthenfeld who was an accomplished martial artist in the 1930's. Post WWII the fledgling Israeli government asked Imi to develop an effective system of self defense and fighting, which later became the Krav Maga system. Krav Maga was incorporated into the Israeli Defense Force, and Imi became the Chief Instructor for the military school for Physical Training and Krav Maga. 

In the early 1980's Darren Levine began training in Krav Maga under Imi Lichtenfeld at The Wingate Institute for Physical Education in Israel. Darren became a stand out student under Imi, he continued to visit Israel and train under Imi for the next several years and he started teaching Krav Maga in Los Angeles at the Heschel Day School. Eventually Darren Levine earned a black belt in Krav Maga under Imi Lichtenfeld and in 1997 was also awarded a Founder’s Diploma for Special Excellence in Krav Maga. Imi awarded this diploma to only 2 individuals in the world. 

These diplomas were given to the people that Imi wanted to be the leaders of Krav Maga. In 1999 Darren and several partners, who had also formed The Krav Maga Association of America, opened Krav Maga Worldwide™ to expand and promote Krav Maga in the United States and around the world. The Krav Maga system has since expanded across the globe and is now utilized by law enforcement agencies, military personnel, and the average citizen looking to learn practical self-defense and get in shape.

Photo courtesy of Krav Maga Worldwide

What makes Krav Maga Worldwide different from other workout routines?

Ross Cascio: 

Well...Krav Maga Worldwide™ isn't a workout routine per say. We are a company that teaches Krav Maga self-defense, Krav Maga based fitness and conditioning classes, and Krav Maga based fight classes. Krav Maga is a fighting system for the streets. Developed in Israel, it is a hardcore self defense and hand to hand combat system used primarily by military and the police units around the world. Krav Maga Worldwide, Inc. is the largest reality-based self-defense organization in the world and industry leader in Krav Maga-based self-defense, fitness, and combat.  Our Chief Instructor Darren Levine trained under Imi Lichtenfeld, the creator of the Krav Maga fighting system and was one of only two people to receive a Founder's Diploma. 

As a direct result, our instructors are experienced in and passionate about the Krav Maga training system and lead some of the most comprehensive self-defense classes in the United States and around the world. Krav Maga Worldwide™ is recognized as the premier Krav Maga teaching organization because we offer the highest caliber of instruction to thousands of people, supporting the company’s core commitments to keeping people safe, healthy, fit, and confident.  Krav Maga Worldwide has trained over 5,000 law enforcement and military personnel, together representing more than 800 government agencies and military units throughout the United States.  Krav Maga Worldwide’s mission is simple: provide others with the skills, mindset, and knowledge in order to better and strengthen their lives.

Taking a Krav Maga class at Krav Maga Worldwide™ is different from other workout routines because students are learning and practicing potentially life-saving self-defense techniques, like punches, kicks, elbows, choke defenses, abduction defenses, ground fighting and weapons defenses, etc. We aren't just running on a treadmill or lifting weights or doing aerobics we are training to fight for our lives. Krav Maga classes at Krav Maga Worldwide™ build muscular strength, increase cardiovascular endurance, and also help students increase build mental strength and confidence. There is no other workout in the world that can help you get in shape and learn to defend yourself in the same way that classes at Krav Maga Worldwide™ can. 

Photo courtesy of Krav Maga Worldwide

Can anyone start Krav Maga or should you be in great shape? 

Ross Cascio:  

Krav Maga classes at Krav Maga Worldwide™ are designed for anyone and everyone. You don't have to be in great shape to come in and start training. The system was designed by Imi Lichtenfeld to help people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, learn to defend themselves and become proficient in the self-defense techniques in a short period of time. 

Photo courtesy of Krav Maga Worldwide

Where can someone sign up for Krav Maga Worldwide classes?

Ross Cascio: 

With over 150 certified Krav Maga Worldwide™ training centers in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Europe, we can help you find a certified Krav Maga Worldwide™ training center near you. Call 800.KRAV.MAGA or visit www.kravmaga.com today 

I would like to thank Ross Cascio for the interview and introducing Krav Maga Worldwide.

Check out www.kravmaga.com to find the nearest Krav Maga studio near you!

Oh and don't forget to chekc out Krav Maga social media outlets :

Subscribe to their Youtube channel at - https://www.youtube.com/user/KMWKravMaga

Follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/KMWKravMaga

Like Krav Maga Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KravMagaWorldwideInc

Joined a new gym, got creeped out, and went back again with backup!

SO I finally joined a gym, after constantly searching for a place to workout and be near by my home. Hooray! I had my husband, Ian Heydecke of Body By Ian  make up a workout plan. My husband came with me to run through the workouts for the week. Well the first and second day went well. The third day was not so good. I was trying to figure out where everything is in the gym when a strange old man came up to me. AT first he was helpful but than he was just plain creepy. He said he was a personal trainer and he could help me with my weight loss journey but the way he approached me made me uncomfortable and a bit scared. It was just weird. He smelled like beer or some type of liquor...it was fucking weird! He was just rude and strange comments while still having the nerve to try to convince me to be one of his clients. 

Like dude you smell like liquor at the gym and you think I will trust you with my health!

Are you for real! Like I was experiencing a really really uncomfortably weird emotions. 

Now I have two side to me. The one side is super nice and open to almost everything and new ideas (within reason). The other side is like the incredible hulk and it takes a damn near earthquake to get me to that level. 

Neither side came out...just tears and a defeated emotion came out. I literally cried when I left the gym. I didn't finish the workout and walked to the bus stop in tears. 

I felt like I was not good enough. I was being judge and I do not even know I was on trial! 

SO I called my husband but he could stop my tear. My husband decided to call the big guns- My Dad! We had a in depth decision and I finally realize that I have a few things I need to work out in regards to my workout and what I really want.

After a day of rest and getting my life and not going back to that gym and going in (a.k.a Going into Hulk Mode!) I brought backup..my husband! 

So far my exercise routine is going fine. I tweeked that to more of a full body workout using more dumbbells, kettlebells, and biking and less using machines....oh and squats! 

Sidenote - Squats are a bitch but my butt is shaping up! 

Hopefully I will not see that weird old man again and if I do...backup is here! 

Only I would join a new gym, get creeped out, and went back again with backup! 

Workout Wednesday - DVD Yoga is becoming my new BF

I tried many different exercises as of late to assist me in my weightloss journey but nothing has stuck with me thus far except yoga. I tried Tai Chi, which was a experience but not a great one. I loved the Richard Simmons dancing to the oldies but I found myself looking for a bigger challenge. Which is a good thing because it shows that my body is building muscle and growing stronger.

Side Note: If you are looking to start off your weight loss / exercise journey and looking for a low impact exercise program, than please buy Richard Simmons Sweating to the oldies dvd set. I would sugesst buying the box set, that way you can alternate workouts throughout the week and not get bored. It is great.  Richard Simmons Sweating to the oldies dvd set helps you to feel better about yourself both phyiscally and mentally. I loved that I saw people that were my size doing the exercises on the dvd, so I knew that I can do it too. Great Job Richard!

Any who! So I found myself digging through my dvd collection and pulling out my Yoga DVD's.  I tell you I am so happy that I didn't sell those Dvds a few years back. With A.M. & P.M. Yoga - Conditioning For Weight Loss by Gaim, I found myself able to do most of the posture and feeling a real burn. I do the AM yoga in the morning which helps to get my day going. I have to say I love the PM practice because it helps relieve all the stress and worry I have accumulated throught out the day and helps me to focus on what is really important. Oh, and did mention that it is a full workout.  Actually, I am a bit sore today.

Though I am willing to be try a live yoga class in the future, I have to say DVD yoga is becoming my new BF!

A Healthier Me & Book List!

The younger me would wonder how I got to so unhappy. I mean I am not sitting on the couch everyday eating bon bons and ice cream but I am not working out the way I should either.  After some soul searching and my shock when I step on the scale it was time to get it together. I am now back on the fitness track. I am tracking my food intake on my fitnesspal, working out every morning, and reading up on how I can be a healthier and happier me.

So I wanted to share my reading list that is helping me get my body back to where I want it to be and I hope these books can be of help to anyone who is looking to do the same. So far I am 30 pounds lighter. I have 

1. Women's Health Total Fitness Guide 2008 is a essential for learning how to eat right, tone up and losing those pounds. I have the 2008 ( yeah I know a bit old) version but any version will do. If you can only afford 1 book than get this on. 
2. Yoga for Depression By Amy Weintraub - a great book to have anxiety or depression. I found that yoga really help me with my battle with PTSD (post tramatic stress disorder ). 
3. Mega Yoga by Megan Garcia - Are your plus size and want to do yoga than this is the book for you. It also great if you have joint issues. Also get Yoga Just My Size by Megan Garcia DVD too!  
4. Harvey Walden's No Excuses Fitness Workout - So if you were a fan of VH!'s Celebrity Fit Club 

So far I am 30 pounds lighter. I have more to go but right now I am happy to say that I am on the right track!