During that training session she gave up smoking and her weekend dates with alcohol.
The level of support Kara received in the lead up to, and during her corporate 2015 bout, astounded her.
She found the training programme and subsequent improving fitness levels gave her focus and a new direction in life.
She has continued training and immersed herself in the Muay Thai scene.
Two novice fighters booked to co-head The Come Up card in May, are already beginning to feel the Kara buzz.
Musician Swade Wallace, 22 and beekeeper Dylan Pearce, 23 will face off against each other in May. Pearce regularly trains at a gym, while Wallace has not until the fight night invitation.
They, and other fighters on The Come Up card, all receive regular coaching from River City Boxing Club guru Eddie Tofa with the blue and red team alternating on week night training sessions.
Neither Wallace nor Pearce have ever fought in the ring, but are warming to the experience as they learn more about the art from Tofa.
"I haven't been to a gym for a while with my musician lifestyle taking up most of my time," Wallace said.
"I used to play rugby back in the day and it's been great getting fit again through this boxing training.
"What I have noticed though, is the level of support from mates leading up to fight night.
"I've always had a bit of a following through my music, but this is amazing. Hopefully I'll have a few cheering for me on fight night."
Pearce was experiencing similar support.
"I've got mates supporting me from all over – Auckland, Northland and even down south in Christchurch. Some will be coming to the fight night.
"My job, working all over the country in the family beekeeping business keeps me fairly fit, but I still go to the gym.
"The boxing training is something I haven't done before, but it's great, I'm loving it," Pearce said.
Kara aims to have eight bouts on the show, with the majority already in training at the River City Boxing Club gym at the Kaierau Country Club in Springvale.
Early bird tickets go on sale from Monday at the Club Fitness and Inspire gyms, with the first 200 priced at $28 and the last 100 at $35.
"I am limited to 300 people on the night, so I will offer the first 200 tickets at the cheaper rate," Kara said.
The night will also be a fundraiser for an injured fellow MMA fighter and his young family.
On December 16 last year, Wellington's Ra 'Razor' Redden was involved in a freak accident that left him with serious spinal injuries.
He is a two-time New Zealand champion and a real family man with a fiancé and a five-year-old son.
"I am keen to put some of the proceeds of the fight night toward Ra's long road to recovery," Kara said.