Lauren Brooks Fitness

I never thought in a million years I would be where I am now with my current eating.  Being in the fitness industry for so long and surrounded by lean bodybuilders and athletes, I was convinced that we absolutely had to get our protein from meat or animal sources to sustain energy and physique.  I thought that if I were to ever give up animal protein I would not be able to have a lean body, would get weak, and become deficient.  Growing up, I always loved and cared for animals but chose to not think about the treatment of certain animals before I put them in my mouth.  I worked in a fine dining restaurant when I was 18 years old, where most of the dishes were rack of lamb, duck, pork chops, quail, steak and prime rib.  We were encouraged to try all the dishes so that we could properly describe the tastes to our guests and pair them with the appropriate wine.  I always felt so strange eating each bite but looking around me, no one else seemed to feel strange...

Here is another super fun strength and conditioning workout.  We did this the other day in the kettlebell class .  Most of my ladies were using 16, 20, and 24kg kettlebells.  Men were using 24, 28, 32, and 36kg.  For the swings almost everyone was using at least a 24kg. This is meant to be used with a heavy kettlebell.  However, if you have a hard time lunging properly I prefer you go light or without a bell to have great form.  Form is first, then load yourself up only if you can keep your form flawless! Warm Up -  Down dog to Plank Hold x 5,  BW Turkish Get Up 3 per side, Prying Squats x 8 Workout - Go through each exercise and perform the amount of reps prescribed.  For example. 6 Back Lunges each side, 6 Front Lunges, 6 Pull Ups etc..  Swings will always be 20 reps.  Then start over again to 5 Back Lunges. Ladder Reps  6,5,4,3,2,1  - if you are a beginner start at 5 or 4 reps instead of 6.  Back Lung...

I thought I'd share a workout that my super strong kick ass class did this week.  It was a beautiful day outside here in Encinitas at around 68 degrees.  This was the class design.  Feel free to give this a shot.  Part 1: Partner you go I go.  Go through each exercise back and forth with your partner.  First round you will do 2 reps of each then your partner will go, then 4 reps of each then your partner, 6, 8, and finally 10!  2 Kettlebells needed.  Push Ups on Bells Double Front Squats Double High Pulls Double or Single Stationary Lunges While your partner is working you are lightly stretching your hip flexors, glutes, or chest in between.  Reps 2,4,6,8,10.  Your partner is really there to pace yourself. If you try this alone take rests as needed so you can go in fresh. Let me know how you do. Part 2: Pull - Ups or Rows 75% Planks - 30 seconds Snatches  5,4,3,2,1 Repeat 2-3x Many of my ladies were snatching 20kg's w...

  Over 5 Inches Lost in Waist in 4 Weeks After Trying Everything! " In 4 weeks I have lost 5+ inches from my waist and I haven't felt this good in years. I LOVE your workout and I love kettlebells. It is the perfect workout for me. I have so much fun doing it, I can't wait for the baby to take her morning nap so I can get to work! I have never done a workout that didn't feel like a chore before this."  Patty M.  from South Salem, NY Another new mom reaches out and shares with me her experience with finally finding a workout that not only gives her the results that she wants, but also makes her look forward to it. Everyone has to realize that there are many paths to get to your fitness and health goals. However, to stay motivated and actually enjoy the chosen path is what's most important. If you are bored to tears and  dread the activity that you have chosen you really need to figure out a more exciting and enjoyable avenue for yourself. Otherwise...

 I gave a quick inspirational speech at a meeting this morning.  Thought I'd share it. I have found in all my years of teaching fitness, nutrition, and health, that exercise is a way to live in the present.   Reaching for foods as nature intended is a way to preserve your health and fight off disease.  The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, said: “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”             Let’s all take a moment and slow down.  Make it a priority to spend extra time preparing whole foods, spend the extra time moving.  Do...

For the last couple years I have had the honor of working with Karyn Randolph from a distance.  I am amazed with her transformation.  Karyn not only has proven that a mother of 3 young kids can achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle, but she has also been able to take her training to a whole new level.  She is stronger, leaner, and healthier now than she has ever been!  I received this latest email from Karyn. Hi Lauren,    I have been meaning to send you a little update for some time now.  Since 2009 your videos have taken me from a beginner with no experience and almost 30 pounds overweight, to in shape and maintaining 120 pounds and stronger than ever. I am stronger and healthier than I have ever been. I am not sure what to say except THANK YOU!! Thanks to your help with the food plan I was able to finally kick the afternoon Dr. Pepper and candy bar habit. I have learned that I really can take it or leave it with the morning snack, but I MUST have ...

 Here is a trailer for a documentary that will be releasing any day now.  You can see where it will be playing in your location here .  I definitely plan on seeing this movie.  This couldn't have been coming out at a better time with my new and personal preferences with eating. Here is a more in depth discussion about it on the Dr. Oz show.  Good stuff!

First I'd like to begin by saying how wonderful this experience has been for me.  I was able to delve into the world of living a vegan lifestyle for the month.  I know it's very possible to live this way because I felt great most of the time.  Although being that I have always been someone who generally eats a good amount of eggs, poultry and fish, going cold turkey was a bit tough for me.   I started this journey as a 3-day fruit, veggie and some seed "detox.”  Then it turned in to 7 days of mostly raw vegan since I was feeling really good.  By week 2, I felt that I needed some cooked foods, so I went ahead and listened to my body.  Coming to the end of the 3rd week I was starting to feel really lethargic and my workouts were suffering a bit.  I was still eating lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes throughout the day, along with a vegan protein powder, but I felt like something was missing.  Eggs kept calling my...

This all started after going on a trip filled with many indulgences.  I haven't taken a "relaxing" vacation to a tropical place in almost 5 years.  Since my honeymoon.  There were 11 of us that went to Ixtapa, 5 kids under the age of 5 and 6 adults.  Needless to say, meal time was a bit hectic.  Where we stayed, the dining hall had the most beautiful display of every type food imaginable.  The foods were fresh and tasty as well.  The dessert bar looked like something you would find on the Biggest Loser TV show as a temptation.  There was all you can eat ice cream, pastries, breads, cookies, pies, and they looked and tasted homemade.  It was not a good place for someone trying to eat healthy and stay lean.  Not to mention the make your own pizza bar, pasta station, sushi, and so many other types of goodies.  The first few days I was really disciplined and just reached for the vegetables, lean poultry, salads, and raw fish.  Then...

Almost 7 months ago I tore my left ACL.  You can read the entire story on my previous blog posts of Part 1, 2 , and 3 .  So here I am on my own path doing my own strength and rehab.  I have really surprised myself with what I have been able to do without having the surgery, which I'll go into in a minute.  My knee is not perfect and even though I haven't been doing any traditional rehab, you would probably never know that I am missing something.  The one thing that I did have to give up was Krav Maga because the stability of my knee just wasn't ready for the lateral movements and unpredictable forces.   Things could change in the future, but as of now everything feels strong and steady.  Here are a few things I have been doing in order to regain the strength of my knee without any surgery.  I immediately started doing Single Leg Squats using a TRX or Rings for support in order to slowly strengthen the muscles around my knee.  I continued do...

 I am always honored to be a part of influencing and inspiring others to lead a healthier life.  I have been asked to be a contributor to the new Weight Loss 360 Online Magazine .   In each issue I will be answering common fitness and nutrition questions from real people.  I am honored to be involved with this wonderful magazine and hope you all get a chance to check it out.  To subscribe to this magazine you can do so below.  It is less than $2 a month to get quality information that will help you continue your journey to health. About The Publishers The publishers, Jim and Louise McKenzie are health and parenting experts, as well as authors, speakers and philanthropists. Their company 6KidsNfit is a nationally recognized organization in the field of family fitness and health, an is an appointee of The Partnership for a Healthier America and The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) in Washington DC (www.healthyweightcommit.org ). In ...

While I feel honored and inspired by everyone I work with, once in a while a special story comes along that really makes me grateful for getting to work in the health field.  I have been lucky to work with a woman named Kimberly Hodge, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 28.  She has written me several inspiring emails about her story that I would like to share below. Ms. Hodge’s Multiple Sclerosis (MS):  After three years of misdiagnosis, Kim Hodge was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999.  For nine months that year, she could barely walk.  She was only 28 at the time of her diagnosis.  For the coming months and years, she suffered numbness in various parts of her body, lost strength, gained weight due to her restricted mobility and the onset of depression, and was told by doctors she might need to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.  She must also receive a weekly injectable medication that causes nume...

This apple bread reminds me a little bit of the delicious apple cake my step mom use to make.  It must have been at least 20 years since I've had any.  I was inspired to bake this for a few reasons.  First reason is I had a whole bag of organic green apples in my refrigerator that needed to get used.  Second a friend of mine was talking about his apple cake he threw together, which got me craving it.  Third, my whole family has been wanting dessert so I wanted them to have a healthier option. This is the second batch I have made in just a few days.  I will not make this for awhile since it's too good and gets eaten way to fast.  First batch of Apple Cinnamon Bread 2nd Batch  Ingredients I used 2 cups         Almond Flour 1/2 cup       Raw Pecans (Ground in to flour) 1 1/2          Organic Green Apple (Peeled and chopped) 1/2            Organic ...

Reading about nutrition and educating my clients is a true passion of mine.  I absolutely love designing nutrition plans thanks to the ongoing success that my clients and I have continued to see.  One of the most common phrases I hear from my clients is, "It doesn't even feel like a diet."  That makes me smile because it lets me know that they "get it."  I have collected an array of testimonials that I have not had the chance to share yet.  I will, however, begin by featuring one person at a time.  This month I wanted to highlight a fitness professional that started out on my program already lean and fit, which can sometimes be the most challenging.  She came to me because she wanted to be a little bit more lean.  We discussed that since she was starting with such a low body fat, her body might resist losing any more weight.  It's very common for people to lose a lot of weight in the beginning and then have trouble with the last 5-10 pounds....