Coach Kirstin

Even before today I was looking at my life and taking stock of what it is, actually as I was getting tattooed. Seems like a strange time to take stock but my tattoo artist said something that made me realize that even he is a good addition to my life (outside of doing amazing tattoos). I like to make sure my life is on track with what makes me happy. No secret my life got turned upside down a few months ago. But on the other side, I have the most wonderful people in my life that make my days even better than I imagine. I have a wonderful family who enables and supports me. I have the best friends anyone could ask for. From acquaintances to best friends, they are all much better in line with me and what I value. I have a fantastic roommate, who I also value immensely as a friend. I have the best boss and employee, who make my day job easy and enjoyable. I am lucky enough to call my self a small business owner and have at least one good business partner. And I have the cutest little cat...

In my other life, I actually dress quite professionally...most days. Other days, like today, I have decided that I can wear very nice dress slacks with a pocket v neck T. I never said this had to make sense to you. And Tuesdays are my short days in the office, I have three standing appointments stacked and don't usually make it in until 11:45/50. Back to the original subject. I used to always wear heels at the office, regardless of it being a 15 or 16 hour day, I was in heels for almost all of it. And then I started training more and more. And heels became more and more of pain in my ass. And so the height got shorter. I used to wear 4 inch heels most days and then I quickly migrated to 1 and now Im at flats. And more than half of the pants in my closet only work with 4 inch heels. So instead of taking the time to get them hemmed, I wore the other 15 or so pairs on regular rotation. But those 15 pairs are a size 10 and seriously do not fit. So I finally got my act toge...

For all of my life I had skinny arms, even riding horses and roping didn’t change that.  About 4 years ago my dad had me start lifting.  I had been running for the previous 4 years I’d been living in DC but was a very naïve runner and didn’t understand how important lifting/ building and maintaining the rest of your body was.  I told you, this whole fitness thing has been an evolution for me.  He took me to the gym and got me started with a few basics, but stressed the importance of the push up.  Of course if you’ve met my dad, you also know this was followed by a long talk about osteoporosis, women’s health, etc, etc.  And let’s be honest, I sucked at them.  But I kept trying, getting advice and help from friends and trainers on building up.  Eventually got the point where I was doing 3 sets of 20 at the end of each gym session.  And then I met the elbows tucked in, hands under your shoulders push up a...

So this was supposed to be my week where I got myself together, got regular sleep and took better care of me. Couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Evidence being, burning the tip my nose with the curling iron this morning…a first in the 20 some years I have been curling my hair.  It started off with my taking care of a crying dog all night Sunday night, not part of the plan.  Tattoo Monday which has limited my training because I can’t wrap my wrists or have any one touch them.  Then having the A&D ointment on them but not being able to wrap them in plastic (I’m allergic), causing me to try and sleep really still so as much ointment stays on my wrists as possible. Again didn’t happen but made me wake up a lot at night.  A college friend coming to town that I just had to have a few beers with and of course needed a ride back to his hotel.  And last night despite being exhausted, having a great intentions of early sleep I d...

My hair.  May seem like a totally irrelevant topic for this blog. But for those that have seen me after a class of neck wrestling, pummeling or Thai clench work, my hair is a disaster.  Half in and half out of a pony tail with a big chunk or two on the floor.  I’m ok with that that.  But for those that may know me socially or from my day job, this couldn’t be farther from normal.  I love my hair.  We have a pretty good relationship and have learned to work together much better as time has progressed.  We still fight but it’s a purely loving relationship.  I deep condition it once a week to keep it extra soft, reduce the amount of blow drying time so it stays as healthy as possible.  I have been working for the last year to get the timing of my hair cuts just perfect around my birthday, Christmas (because I can’t go visit my parents looking like a hot mess that can’t take care of hair), etc.  So I finally...

So the date for training camp has officially been set, December 1.  And it just got real.  Its 3 weeks away and I couldn't be more excited.  Or more nervous.  It's a commitment.  Not just the eating, or the training but taking care of me.  I'm good at this in most ways but I'm pretty bad about getting enough sleep.  Which is crucial to good training.  To keep your head right.  To not getting hurt.  For good recovery.  So as the days count down, I'm making adjustments so that I stay right.  But the other reality is my diet. Compared to most people my diet is really good.  But that's not what this is about, it's about being the best I can be not just better than most.  I perform at my best when I stick to low carb, mostly protein and more fat.  What that translates to: lots of meat with moderate amounts of fat, veggies (my carbs) and dairy (and not the low fat bs).  It's pretty easy for me to maintain, of ...

I love my training.  Part of the fun, is the random injuries.  I thought I had hurt myself in every way possible.  Broken bones, stress fractures, chipped bones, bloody noses, split lips, ligament and muscle tears, burst veins, spinal shock, ribs out of place, nerve spasming and I could probably keep going.  But I got fish hooked last night rolling and I have a bruise on the inside of my cheek.  And its bruising from the inside out.  I had no idea you could bruise the inside of your mouth.  I had 4 wisdom teeth out at once and it never bruised, how did a fish hook do that?  Either way, eating is not fun and this is not going to look so cute for my party Friday.  And it's only a matter of time before the ladies at my allergists office talk to me about getting out of an abusive relationship…

I kept this mostly about my workouts, training, eating, etc but now there is a huge part of my life that is impacting all of that.  Owning a business.  We officially opened on the 28 th of October.  It’s been hectic and stressful pretty much ever since we found out the lease was executed.  I’m enjoying every minute of it but it’s a lot of work.  The hard part is finding an end to my day.  My schedule is tight as it is (I have it planned out in 15 minute increments starting at 5:30 all the way to 11:30 pm to ensure I get 6 hours sleep) and am finding it extremely hard to say “enough for today” finish eating, get in the shower and go to bed.   Or the other, I’m so tired from working at my day job, working the desk, squeezing a workout in, that I get really sleepy once I get home and my pace slows down to turtle speed.  I’m learning and every day is an adventure.  I love it.  Otherwise thi...

Our intentions can get lost in our actions. Or maybe we just don't know the root of what we do. I find myself surrounded by people that feel the need to deceive me. That some how find my actions bad. I find this so strange. That I have somehow been in the wrong in my actions, feelings or behaviors in the last few months. I do nothing but right by these people and most people, unless you have wronged me. I'm just tired of the lying. I'm tired of not trusting people.  I guess I need friends that aren't into my ex. And with that, I'm sending a big "go fuck yourself and stay out of my business"