Coach Kirstin

So this fight cycle has been rocky to say the least.  My head has been all over the place. I lost an opponent, got another one. And so many other  things. My weight has been a struggle. I made some mistakes to assist with other issues. I also found it hard to stick to it without a for sure opponent. And then I panicked that I might not make it. And for the last 2.5 weeks I have been extremely strict with what I have been eating.  And the last few days have been a breeze. It's Wednesday before I weigh-in and I honestly feel the best I've ever felt. I'm a bit thirsty and a bit hungry, but nothing unmanageable.  I can still tell Im doing good because I can listen to the shuffle on the iPod in the car while Im driving.  That has never happened. I usually have to make a playlist of about 10-15 songs that aren't annoying me at the moment to get me through this week. And I almost posted this. And realized its wednesday, didn't want to go...

This fight cycle I've had the most amazing boyfriend. Honestly he was amazing before but through this cycle, I've come to appreciate him even more. His objective is only what's best for me. And it's an amazing feeling. I guess this is what a relationship is supposed to be like. It's not just my training he is concerned about but also me as a person and a fighter. What's best for me in that moment. And even when I may not be doing what's best for me, he is. We train together and have before, but this time he's a very big part of my fight cycle. I have relied on him to do a lot of my training with. My training dictates our schedules. And he has always been willing to rearrange his to help me. He has also listened to me complain, be frustrated and whine. He has tolerated it when I'm a brat because I'm tired or exhausted. Unfortunately for him there is 8 more days of this. Fortunately for me, I can't imagine anyone better to be going t...

Normally it's a strong word that I rarely feel I can use. Until I'm 2 weeks out from my fight. My body and mind are tired and I just want to fight. I don't hate you because your Asian, black or any other race. I don't hate you because your male or female, homophobic or gay. I don't hate you because you are skinny or fat, tall or short. No, I hate you because you get to eat and drink what ever you like. With reckless abandon you can eat and drink. Yes there are consequences but 95% you don't care about those consequences. You go to the gym as you like and eat when you feel hungry. But that's not me. The next 12 days are strictly prescribed and adhered too, being watched and monitored by my coaches. You know in Mr and Mrs Smith at the end when they are fighting and Brad Pitt says "there is no air around you". Unfortunately, that's me. I like plans and routines. I follow and don't deviate. It's why I can stick to it and make it to the ...

So I might have some tendencies that some would see as a little neurotic.  Like ironing my duvet cover.  In reality, only two people see it and I am one of them.  The other could care less if its even there, more or less if its ironed.  But I still iron it anyhow, even if i dont make the bed because it makes me happy. Yes there is probably some deep seeded need to control everything and for it to appear perfect but thats years of counseling to understand. Sunday I washed my duvet cover and it got all wrinkled when I left it in the dryer.  When I came home just after 10, it was still laying there wrinkled.  Magically it didnt unwrinkle while I was gone.  I had made a choice earlier that day to spend some time with my boyfriend, even though it would mean I wouldnt get all the things done I needed too.  So when I looked at the duvet cover it was a decision of sleep or ironing. It actually took a lot for me to decide that sleep was most important. ...

Cravings can be a crazy thing. If you are really listening to your body and eating clean, it will tell you what it needs. You don't crave cheeseburgers but you do crave nutrients. Though deconstructing that and realizing what you need is tricky. For the last 3 weeks I have been craving orange juice. I can not drink enough. Clearly I'm needing vitamin C. Others are harder to deconstruct. My dad always tells me he sometimes has weird cravings for protein bars and he knows he's lacking something and his body tells him he can get it in protein bars. It's also association and where your body thinks it can get what it needs. When I get dehydrated, I crave a Coke. Illogical right. Unless I explain it this way. When I am dehydrated my blood thickens and it makes me feel sleepy. My body knows the caffeine and sugar will jolt it awake. If I just drink some water my craving usually subsides. Our body's are amazing machines.