Six Years ago today

Six years ago I was blessed with my second baby girl.  She didn't make her way in to this world easily, despite how great my pregnancy was. (Birth story here) My life has not been the same since, as most parents can imagine. I truly didn't realized after being head over heels in love with my first child, that feeling the same about my second was possible. She has definitely proved me wrong. The connection I have with both of my girls are so different, yet very strong on many levels. The individuality of character they both portray astounds me.

       

Happy 6th Birthday to my precious Chloe. Chloe has learned to read this year in her Kindergarten class and is very motivated to read every book she has to me.  She has learned to use her scooter this year, earned her yellow belt in karate, and enjoys performing with singing and dancing routines with her sisters.

Chloe 6 weeks old with
her 2  yr old sister

Chloe is a witty, sweet, funny, curious, and has a way with animals equivalent to the dog whisperer. She loves her sisters more than anyone could measure and enjoys acting crazy with them. When I pick her up from school she literally jumps up and down several times, while telling me what a great day she had. She is always smiling and laughing.  I love you so much Chloe bear. You are the light of my life.

Chloe's sisters adore her. Playing the bath is just not the same without her. 

Chloe being silly with her sisters

Chloe has been exercising using kettlebells since before she was born. She is an official Baby Bell.  :) She likes to surprise me by showing me what she can do.  She know very well this is how her mom got back in shape quickly after the C-sections. "Look mommy, am I doing it?" she asked. 

Look at me mommy

 Every day is a gift with these kids. I never take a single moment I have with them for granted.  It truly takes a village to help nourish and encourage the inner gifts each child has. The support system of family, friends, and teachers are phenomenal. It's not about WHAT you have in life, it's about WHO you have surrounding you. 

Rushing Results Leads to Failure

Several years ago someone told me about the show the Biggest Loser.  Reluctantly I turned on the TV, since I don't really watch TV, and began watching the show in the middle of the season. The name of the show bothered me right away, but like most of America, I became intrigued.  The title of the show bothered me tremendously.  I interpreted "The Biggest Loser" as them referring to the contestants as big losers. 

Tuning in to the middle of the season, the show would consist of displaying videos/ photos of how they looked at their heaviest, side by side with how they currently looked from all their "hard" work.  There would be long winded workouts with yelling, screaming, passing out, and emotional breakdowns. The inspiring weight loss images along with the confidence level was displayed very well.  I was pleased to see how happy these contestants looked. They showed them crying for joy on how they're getting their life back with all the hard work and "healthy" eating.  They seemed extremely proud.  For a quick moment I felt inspired and could see how America was eating this up alive.

My Honest Take after the moment wore off - The workout methods and intensity levels were so over the top I eventually had to turn the show off. Even the form and technique was hard to see, especially when they began to introduce some of my favorite kettlebell exercises. This training style and intensity was clearly done for Hollywood only.  To a trained person you can tell it was dangerous and only done to get high ratings for the show. The doctors on this show truly should be ashamed of themselves for backing up this type of physical and mental torture. No human can sustain this type of intense starvation and excessive dangerous way of training over time. Even the winners would eventually gain most of the weight back. What is this show accomplishing? It's portraying an unrealistic over the top way to lose weight and get "healthy". The truth is none of them actually were healthy.  It's showing the ALL or NOTHING approach. An approach that is very bipolar.

Check out what some of the contestants from the Biggest Loser have finally had the courage to reveal about the show.

The brutal secrets behind �The Biggest Loser�

�We�re all fat again': More �Biggest Loser� contestants reveal secrets

My point for sharing these extreme examples is to drive home that there is a high price to pay for rushing results.  If it looks or sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Calorie restriction, rigid eating structures, obsessive amounts of exercise can only take one so far.  I don't deny that one can lose tons of weight with any type of restrictive eating. Isn't the point to find a lifestyle change that people can stick to for the rest of your life? Short term solutions never work. It baffles me how people can keep falling for the dangling carrot trick. It's easy in todays fitness industry with many personal trainers creating this gimmick products promising fat loss and incredible amounts of gains in just a short amount of time. Long term real results that actually stick only happen when habits are changed over time. It's not easy to sell long term longevity training to a society craving results the next day. Hopefully more and more people will understand the value of training for longevity.

The art of patience and practice are very important to learn or improve upon. If people don't have either they will have a very rough time getting to their goal, nor be able to remain on track. Training and nutrition lifestyle changes take time. Depending on where one is starting from, small changes will always be their best bet.  My final point - Build up slowly. Get the "no pain no gain" myth out of your head.  Welcome the new lifestyle, yet be kind to yourself. Enjoy life and you will see the results happen over time. 

Strength and Fat Loss Kettlebell Workshop - Beginner Focused: All Levels Welcomed!

Beginning STRENGTH and Fat Loss WORKSHOP with KETTLEBELLS and more...
Beginner focused: All levels are welcomed.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

at the

Onnit Academy

Move better and Feel Better learning how to use your body weight and kettlebells to achieve the strong and lean body you've always strived for. Quick and efficient workouts will get you there without the long drawn out boring cardio sessions that run your muscle off and cause overuse injuries. Be ready to change your life!

Instructed by Lauren Brooks 

Feb 7th Saturday Time:
12-4 p.m.

Details below!



ONLY $149

Who will benefit from these Fat loss and Strength workshops:

- Busy people who struggle to find the time to work out; such as moms, dads, and all working professionals who still want to feel and look amazing!

- People who despise exercise and need something that is fun and motivating.

- Beginning exercisers that want to learn a fun and efficient way to strengthen their entire body while burning fat at the same time.

- Personal Trainers and Group Fitness coaches that want to safely add proper progressions to implement kettlebells to their clients regimen. 

- Athletes who want to take their training to a new level. Such as snowboarders, wakeboarders, surfers, runners, yogi's, and martial artists.

- People who are tired of spending hours in the gym and only seeing mediocre results (IF ANY)

- The at home exerciser who wants to make sure they are using kettlebells correctly in addition to  wanting to feel refreshed with new ideas. 

- Beginners are welcomed and do not need to have any previous kettlebell training experience. 

All levels can will benefit from this type of training.

SOME THOUGHTS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE ATTENDED LAUREN'S WORKSHOPS:

Lauren's workshop was specific, efficient and perfectly designed with appropriate progressions. Specific needs were easily addressed. Individuals each received cues plus suggestions constantly throughout the entire session. Lauren demonstrates and presents excellent real life examples of each kettlebell exercise, as well as providing a specific accurate workbook. SENSATIONAL!

Robin E., Encinitas Ca

I had a great time! Lauren is an excellent teacher she covers everything. She is definitely educated on the human body and knows what she teaches. Loved the class!

M. Roybal, San Diego Ca

"Outstanding workshop. I learned so many new things and I felt challenged throughout. The instructor was very thorough, with great examples. Great pace, I never felt burnt out, but it was never too easy. Excellent motivation as well. The class far exceeded my expectations."

Eric G. - Carlsbad, Ca

" I really enjoyed your laid back style. You are thorough yet you let us get our own feel for it. I will continue to learn from you."

Carrie M. - San Diego, Ca

" I really liked this workshop. You are clear and easy to take direction from. I would recommend this to anyone. I thought this workshop would be good, but it was great. Thanks for sharing!

Tracey B. - Encinitas, Ca

" Being a beginner to kettlebells, I thought this workshop was awesome!! Lauren did an excellent job of explaining the different kettlebell moves and also kept me safe from hurting myself. (Which could easily happen being so new to kettlebells) I would love to, and look forward to, taking more classes/workshops in the future. Great job, Lauren!!"

Sarah R. - Newport Beach, Ca

"Loved the workshop. It was great to see if I was actually using Kettlebells correctly. The towel kettlebell swing was my light bulb moment. I love the manual and can't wait to go home and start a new workout!

Karyn R. - Marysville, Ca

 Well Organized

- Comprehensive

- Understandable

- Applicable

And very FUN in a non-intimidating environment.

Well worth the drive! 

Tammy C,  Santa Cruz, California

"Really informative and not intimidating. Wish you lived in Los Angeles."

Amanda L,  Los Angeles, California

"I was very impressed with Lauren's ability to patiently explain each move focusing on each step as it should be executed.  I went in with no knowledge of what a kettlebell workout should look like and feel as though, with some work, I will be able to apply the exercises I learned. Thank you!!"

Honey D, Carlsbad, California

"This was wonderful.  I attended hoping to learn something different & fun, & learn it safely.  You totally delivered.  I look forward to integrating kettlebells into my workout!

Leah. W. , Ca

Dreams DO come true!
I've dreamed of taking a class with Lauren Brooks since I first discovered her DVD workouts about 2 years ago. I live in the UK whilst Lauren lives in the US so I thought my dream would remain just that. Well sometimes dreams do come true as I had the opportunity to take a workshop with Lauren on her recent trip to London and what an experience it was! I was very nervous before attending thinking it would be filled with super fit, amazingly honed athletes and I would be left standing in their dust. Not so. There was a great cross section of kettlebellers from out of shape beginners to some RKC's and Lauren taught us all with huge encouragement, intuition and passion. Lauren's love for what she does is evident in every move and sentence. Lauren is warm, encouraging and totally non-intimidating. Her form tips are excellent. For instance in order to stop some manic swings that were being performed she told us all to think "float" at the top of the swing and it worked like a charm - no more bionic swinging! She wants everybody to progress, safely, to be their best selves and to have fun with their kettlbell practice and not view it as a chore.

If you ever get the chance to work with Lauren, please, please take it. I gained so much from my workshop experience - vastly improved form from when I walked in (even the RKC's participating in the workshop had some tweaks made to their form) and increased confidence that I was actually on the right path and pretty darn good at some moves (swings).

If ever Lauren comes to the UK again for a workshop she can count on at least one class member for sure - me!

Thank you Lauren for everything.
Charmaine, UK

I have been a fan for a long time. I love Lauren's instruction style, it's thorough, clear and it keeps me safe. The Kettlebell Body is proof that Lauren is dedicated to forever learning because she managed to make the best even better with new techniques and even more energy. I think these workout sequences are the best yet, uncomplicated to follow but they make you sweat!!! Lauren's teaching got me hooked on kettlebells. I got serious about my workouts about eight months ago and used Lauren's workouts and the new Kettlebell Body routines to stay focused. In that time I have lost about 37lbs from a combo of exercise and nutrition changes. Most important to me are the SIX inches (I just measured) that melted off my middle-belly all while I was having fun and getting stronger with kettlebells. You can so do this! I LOVE this DVD and highly recommend it. Lauren, your work keeps getting better and better. Thank you for helping me to get it in gear and to finally start transforming my coach potato body. You are an inspiration.  --- Chante`

DON'T LET FEAR OF FAILURE GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR DREAMS

�There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.� - Paulo Coelho

It�s a bloody shame that in today�s world so many dreams stay just that - a dream. Ideas and hopes are born in a person�s mind, yet don�t have the chance to actually live. How will you know if you can ever accomplish something if you don�t take a risk and put yourself out there? 

What Gets in the Way of Our Dreams?

So what is it that stops people from taking the risk and pursuing their dreams? Is it the fear of failure? The fear of being judged? The negative self-talk telling you to just settle and keep your aspirations as a distant unrealistic thought?

Keep reading on the Breaking Muscle site here