CONFESSION #2 - LETTING GO OF FEAR

CONFESSION #2 - Letting go of fear.

A lot can change in 10 years. The photo on the left is a 28 yr old girl who has a 9 month old baby. She is proud of herself for being skinny and lean. She’s skinnier at the age of 28, after her first baby, than she was in her college years. She watched everything she ate, kept a food journal and even avoided social situations to not be tempted by the wrong food and alcohol.

I was head over heels in love when I had my first baby. It was the greatest moment of my life. But then the darkness set in and I was terrified that if I couldn’t look a certain way, no one would want to hire me as their fitness coach. I told myself a story that if I didn’t have the “look” of a fitness model, I’d be portrayed as a less knowledgeable professional. I had the education, knowledge and success stories of my students kicking ass, but it wasn’t enough for me. My only self worth was if I could see my abs that day. I lived in fear.

Here we are 10 years later. Let’s be honest, I’m 8-10 pounds heavier now. I’ve also stopped telling myself the lies that I have to be ripped to be worth something. Today I feel better than ever. I eat bread, tacos, homemade pizzas and even have a tequila from time to time. I put coconut sugar in my coffee and love every sip of it. I’m stronger, I’m happier, I no longer live in fear. I’ve let go of that old story running in my head. I love my lifestyle! The good news is I have a choice to change it when and if I choose to.

I now know I love myself and I’m an awesome coach 😉 regardless of whether I have a ripped stomach or a bloated PMS belly.

I’m here to inhale every single ounce of this life. Even when it sucks! Because it can suck a lot. The suck makes those good moments shine brighter than ever. All I want to do is catch them and save them forever.

Your kindness and love for others is what it’s all about. No more living in fear of having to look a certain way to feel self worth. It feels great to be free!

Read CONFESSION #3 - I haven't always loved females.

A post shared by ℒᎯUℛℰℕ ℬℛᎾᎾᏦЅ 💪 (@laurenbrooksfitness) on Apr 10, 2018 at 12:24pm PDT

What Doctor's don't tell you after a C-section

I have now been through 2 C-sections since writing this blog post and thankfully I've recovered beautifully from both with the appropriate progressions. For those who are new and are just finding me.

WELCOME!

First let me say I did NOT want a C-section. I did everything in my power to avoid the first and even the second. I'm a kettlebell fitness strength and conditioning coach who relies on her body to share, teach, educate, and I was under the impression that having to give birth via C-section would and could destroy my body and career. Boy was I wrong! If you're feeing the same way, start by reading this article I wrote many years ago that still applies today!

Many people have asked and here is part of my experience. I don't claim to be a medical expert but not only have I successfully healed my C-section, my abdominals are no longer numb, and I've successfully helped others who've had multiple C-sections (even some 20 years ago) find their core again. I d…

Let's Talk About Butts (Butt "on" Workouts)

To lift or not to lift, that is the question. Despite the popular sayings, "Strong is the new Skinny" or "Strong is the New Sexy," there is still a large portion of the female population that will shy away from lifting solely due to their fear of bulking up or building too much muscle. I'm not going to tell you that heavy weights won't help build muscle and I'm not going to deny the fact that some women can build muscle easier than others.

Let's start with the photo below. This is a nice example of the female backside that shows two different body types. The woman on the left falls in the category of an ectomorph, which generally means skinny, little muscle, and a very high metabolism. She could probably eat what she wants and stay skinny. If she committed to a butt strengthening and enhancing program, filled with exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and kettlebell swings, developing the butt on the right would still be unlikely. Through h…

Unknown said…

Thank you Lauren for your real confession. I too have spent way too much time, energy and fear being focused on my weight. I am 60. I've been dieting since I was 15. I finally broke up with the scale after 45 yrs. Liberating. The scale never told me how good a mom I am, or how great my marriage is, or how much service I do for others.
I no longer deny myself every food I want. That was presenting a problem of craving it all the time anyway. I added a slice of sourdough and a cup of coffee to my day. I have not been chastising myself if I have some chocolate or alcohol in a week. I too am 10 lbs more than would be my ideal, but the cost both mentally and emotionally for being so focused on the scale was not worth the price. I feel more relaxed, joyful and free as a result of this choice. I have accepted what my body is and isn't.
I complete 45-1hr- 3x a week, following your kettleball tapes. I feel strong and healthy!
Thank you for verbalizing what so many of us women go thru. It's helpful to know that even though you are a fitness coach, you struggle with the same issues we all do.
You inspire me!

April 19, 2018 at 1:37 PM

Vickie said…

We're planning to try for a baby in a year or two, and the prospect of losing my current body terrifies me... I've worked hard and eaten clean and am fitter than I was 10 years ago; friends and colleagues turn to me for health, fitness and nutrition information. I'm not a fitness coach and my career doesn't rely on my physique, but it's sort of become an identity. It will be difficult to let go...

But I will. It will be all okay for every one of us! :)

April 19, 2018 at 5:16 PM

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