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 I wrote this down the first time California went on lockdown.
It still applies and always has. Now that where I am at has been forced to shutdown again, I am using this affirmation to keep me feeling level and motivated. The best thing we can all do right now is stay diligent with perspective. I felt so sad yesterday in the gym when the closest people in my life all started sending me screenshots and texts of the governor's announcement closing the gyms. I teared up a little and also felt so much anger (actually benefited my workout lol). I felt sooo many emotions and just like I had been punched in the gut AGAIN because I have this goal to step on stage again, requalify for nationals (I took time off after last show to recover and build), and compete for my pro card, yet these closures and the unknown keeps getting the best of my plans. I felt different than the first time this happened back in March. Both times I have been VERY close to my show date. So, it sucks to say the least haha. BUT here's the part about perspective... I feel motivated and I am using this as an opportunity to drive me forward. Choosing to see this as the best thing that could happen rather than the worst because I know that I wouldn't be going through this if I wasn't equipped to handle it (hello, been there done that literally deja vu) And it wouldn't be happening if it wasn't part of my journey to becoming the person I am meant to & seek to become I have taken this year in stride and will continue to. I have SO much to be proud of, and am so seriously proud of myself! I don't want to dwell on the 'could haves' or 'wish I would haves' when all I have is right now and In this moment I have the choice to either make the most of it or succumb. The other day I was describing to my dad how I literally felt like I was in a movie scene like a fighter getting punched but coming back up and fighting no matter how beat up they get. Granted, I don't feel like this has been a beat down either since I have handled it with positivity and do recognize what a privilege it is to be able to compete or choose to compete in this time, let alone at all And I am certainly not complaining about the prep because it has been incredibly fulfilling BUT, my feelings about the constant unknown are not diminished or invalid because of that either When you want something, and you are meant to have it, your will to accept and commit to it will likely be tested I am releasing all the pressure around me but focusing on that peace within me--laser focus, positive expectancy, and preparation to do what's not only necessary but also best for me now and long term Could you use some more affirmations right now? Check out these resources: Here are some other affirmations you might like: http://www.celestial.fit/blog/21-affirmations-to-model-for-a-more-loving-healthy-and-serving-relationship-with-your-body Here is a link to get a full card deck of affirmations: http://www.celestial.fit/cards.html
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 It’s easier to believe in yourself when you give yourself a reason to
Show up for yourself, your dreams, your goals, your values Commit to the things you say you’re going to commit to Take the leaps of faith you know you need to take Push past your current norm Tell the voice in the back of your head that you appreciate her concern but it’s time for her to take a backseat Everything you’ve been through and are going through are part of you becoming the version of yourself who accepts the results they want So do the damn thing already I am a few weeks out from my next competition and we have been doin this whole prep thing for awhile and I’ve been loving and embracing all the ups and downs of 2020 so far as it pertains to prep and off and on Haven’t posted much about it because honestly it’s just felt so “easy” in a sense Much more just taking it in as a lifestyle and enjoying every aspect with the mindset, patience, relationship with food, and body image I’ve built Now we turned on and all the way up baby. Catch me back on stage Soon 😉  I remember taking the 2nd pic & LOVING the growth
I thought oh my gosh I can see the muscle I‘ve been working SO hard to build That was Jan 2019 This one was today 1.5 years later 148.7lb v 129ish pounds January pic was 17 days after I got my period back naturally for the first time in YEARS yes YEARSSSS Today’s pic, 5 days post cycle ending after a few months of her disappearance again I’ve been so diligent All off season from Sep 3 2018 to April 2019 I WENT TO WORK building Eating in major surplus, lifting heavy, & I committed to internal health & external growth I said bye to the shredded life (competed aug 2017-sep2018 in 5 shows) & hello to a life with more flexibility, no cardio, & as limited added stress as possible aside from lifting which was mostly heavy af on compound or major moves in areas I needed to grow (shoulders hams n glutes to be exact) I put a lot more fat on I had people admiring me for committing to what I knew I needed which was menstrual health But it was grueling. Watching my body change so much was worth it to me that day I got my period back, though I went through so much for that & to keep it Fast forward to a few months ago my period stopped coming again I thought because cardio was back up food was down & I was in prep mode & I dropped a lot of weight (I was 157ish at heaviest of improvement season) BUT I kept going & trusted it would come & my coach & I just wanted to see if body needed to readapt This was scary & frustrating bc we took such a slow approach BUT IT ALL PAID OFF Because I got it again at a lower body fat, in prep, & while under many other life “stressors” I learned a lot in this, 1 thing being EMBRACE GROWTH ESPECIALLY FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR LONG TERM HEALTH & FUNCTION Sure people will say oh you don’t need to put on that much fat, & they’re probably right But I also did it methodically, withintention, & didn’t just stop training I went to the gym with my current physique in mind I let go of the need for aesthetics in an effort to one day have both aesthetics & function & better metabolism Bodybuilders talk a lot about patience & delayed gratification but in all honesty, many women aren’t truly willing to apply that to every area of growth as an athlete & person It’s easy to say that when cutting or going show to show But lemme see how you’re working & committing to the version of you that's gunna be on stage 1-5 years from now Running yourself to the ground for years is not growth or delayed gratification—it’s almost a bit of denial I’m glad I went through all these different phases because now I’m in a way better spot than ever More muscle, better metabolism, better functioning menstrual cycle, better mindset, lots more patience, & way more respect for the process Just like you go all in to cut & get ready, go all in for your health, mindset, & physique development Why I Removed the Labels from My Eating to Make the Most of Every Prep & Improvement Season7/6/2020  I’ve had to unlearn more than I’ve had to learn when it comes to my relationship with food
On social media now we are exposed to so many different ways of arriving at a certain result which I believe can be both beneficial as well as detrimental to success in this sport One person might say bro science is the only way to win & another person might say to track macros, never water cut, & leave all your favorite seasonings & sauces in your plan even up to the day of your show I have done 6 shows with diff phases before, between, & after I am a very disciplined person & can follow any meal plan to a T. In fact I don’t even take bites or licks or taste anything out of my plan on prep But what I’ve come to learn over the many seasons I’ve had, is that when I allow myself & my body to choose what I want within my nutrition needs I sustain my progress much longer I do not follow a macros approach nor do I follow a meal plan approach as I’ve decided to take those labels away It’s so easy for us to say I do it this way & it is the only way to do it or for us to read from someone who looks a certain way or achieves a certain result & think that must be the end all be all I have my own ways now & I’ve truly been able to maintain shape & commitment to the long-term vision because I found what works for me If I only did what worked for everybody else I don’t believe I would've found the peace & JOY I have now in the process One of my goals when working with competitors is to help them have the most fulfilling & successful preps & improvement seasons which can look different for everyone What I might consider successful may not be doable or desirable to someone else Rather than trying to fit into a label, honor your needs on a mental & physical level Usually the process looks like this:
Want support? Visit: www.celestial.fit/foodfreedom learn about my Food Relationship Mentorship -- Alsoooo No better way to enjoy national chocolate day tomorrow than w/ BamBody Nutrition quick fix brownie🤤 use code EMPOWER this July to get more BAM for your buck on their website: www.bambodynutrition.com  Food is not the enemy. Your thoughts are, society's judgement is, the identity you pigeon hole yourself into is
Going out to eat used to be so hard for me Only looking at the skinny menu, not wanting anyone to see me eating something “unhealthy” or not so “bodybuilder” like or just eating past comfortable amounts of satiation to then feel guilt & shame & an overwhelming pull to “work it off” or restrict food the next day When I look back on past experiences with food, I’m motivated because I never want anyone to go through the mental angst I did with it Food shouldn’t cause anxiety, it is meant to provide energy and nourish our body & our experiences If we overeat we remove enjoyment If we undereat we remove nourishment If we overthink we remove presence What if we just ate according to our needs & goals without judgment or concern of others? It can be a real challenge I had to change the way I looked at food, thought about food, talked about food, & approached eating in general I remember when I ordered off the regular menu for the first time After always only bringing my food, asking for the chicken n veg, or just referring to the most macro friendly meal after scouring the nutrition facts online for hours I realized I was more satiated & satisfied if I got the meal I genuinely wanted This is not to say when you’re on prep or working toward a goal or learning about your body that you should let go of consideration for your goals or nutritional needs This is to say that when you give yourself the opportunity, take it & treat it the same as any other eating decision This is something I work with my clients of my Food Relationship Healing & Discovery 1:1 coaching program through We get all foods on the same playing field, become crystal clear on the current habits & thoughts that are influencing negative or self-sabotaging behavior, & work toward creating YOUR ideal relationship with food to align w/ your goals Not all clients come to me with the same goal, but they leave having achieved their goal if they commit to the process To learn more, get inspired by testimonials, & apply visit WWW.CELESTIAL.FIT/FOODFREEDOM  There is no country greater than the USA
We have liberties many don’t even know are possible for them The freedom we exercise every day without thought are freedoms some humans have only dreamt of Being proud to be a American does not mean you do not see where improvements can be made It means you see that we have the power to make improvements America is the only place that can be hated on by people who take advantage of the very freedoms that come with living here Fought for by citizens doing work and going to wars that many wouldn’t even dare to fight When I think of our country I value our independence as individuals and as a nation I don’t believe any one voice, experience, or piece of history should be cancelled, reduced, shamed, or forgotten Because when we justify silencing one, we can so easily justify silencing all The beauty of living here is that we have more power as a collective than other nations On Fourth of July we can celebrate our ability to express and demonstrate gratitude for freedom by knowing that all are worthy of it Regardless of if you agree with them, they have a right to believe and speak, JUST LIKE YOU DO We can see where we may be taking freedom for granted or putting it at risk Freedom does not belong more to one person than another or one group more than another It belongs to all It boggles my mind that some people want to take away our freedom to speak and share what is on our hearts and minds or completely CENSOR different ideas I don’t understand how some people can be so blind to the liberties they have and so quick to entertain giving them up, even without realizing it! Today I spent time journaling on the freedoms I have living here, in America, as a woman, as a business owner, as a student, as a sister friend daughter... I believe I am able to feel free because I do not doubt that I already am I was granted a privilege when I was born in the USA and to not take advantage of, fight for, or believe in that would be a real shame Capitalizing on freedom leads to more freedom and celebrating it reinforces its importance What freedom has been fought for that you are especially grateful for today?  Hunger is complex—like pretty much every individual human experience
But understanding it can help us to make it more tangible and place less pressure or judgment on ourselves when we experience it! Sometimes knowing the reason for our hunger helps put us at ease and know we aren’t crazy👀 It’s important to note that the reasons shared in this info graphic are not the only possible answers nor are the examples the only possible way they can manifest It’s also important to understand that hunger is not a bad thing It’s a natural & necessary function of the human body that keeps us alive But that’s also where things can get tricky (swipe to see what I mean) In making this I wanted to keep it simple and relatable so as to help the most amount of people But if you’re really looking to improve your relationship to food, the connection you have to your body’s needs and cues, as well as even gain a normal communication pattern back with your body To learn about my Food Relationship Healing & Discovery 1:1 Coaching program or just visit www.celestial.fit/foodfreedom BUILD MORE THAN JUST A BODY Two through each image, save, and if it really hits home, share with someone else who might benefit!❤️💆🏻♀️👑🧠  Mission Since Day 1: Help others to BUILD MORE THAN JUST A BODY
I had to go through a lot of pain to find my passions and live my life with purpose Many people in my circle comment on how much I work and how I’ll probably work until I drop dead It’s funny because it’s true I don’t even really consider this “work” in the same way others might identify with the word work To me this is a life commitment Transforming loathe to love in the minds of people all over the world is no easy task but my grandpa always said to me “a job worth doing is worth doing right” & that is the TRUTH I commit to my work, education, clients, and passion daily because I see this as a job worth doing In order to do the best job I can, I must be willing to do it right. I take pride in what I do & I don’t take it lightly The vision I have for the future of bodybuilding, athletes, women, teens, children...it spans well beyond my imaginable next 5 years, 10 or even 20 I’m in this for the long haul Not because of all the things I myself want to accomplish But because of all the people I see that need TLC, ideals that need modification, and beliefs that must be challenged and reinforced in a new light While I can accomplish a lot with my clients as they work with me on their mindset, self-love, personal development, psychology, food relationship, body image, and all things self-affect related... I want that impact to be so purposeful and so meaningful that it has no other option but to radiate out and into the hearts of others around that individual My three guiding values are: FREEDOM IMPACT LOVE And everything I do is to satisfy the vision & definition behind these I’m not here to run a business and be an entrepreneur and collect titles I am here to truly challenge norms, shift perspectives, and change the game My vision is big and sometimes scary, confusing, and seemingly blurry But the more I do, the further I go, and the more clear the vision gets I trust that it is not as much about getting somewhere but instead making the most of where I am trusting and believing it’s where I need to be  If you ever wondered about how your brain and body work together to respond to (and protect you from) negativity, this is a very basic graphic you can use for reference
Many researchers have covered these reactions in depth through various research methods and case studies which can be interesting to look into! On surface level we are told not to focus on the negatives. Because, of course focusing on the positives makes more sense But if you are like me, sometimes it helps to know why that is? This is pretty universal when it comes to negative stimuli. Be it a thought you have, experience you endure, or a situation, person, or thing you encounter If you are going to focus on anything, let it be what you want to find more of! Of course, given my passions I am going to say that having a positive relationship with yourself and priming your mind to focus on positives can and will show up in your decision making as it pertains to nourishing and caring for your body You don't need to be a positivity robot that ignores all pain. In fact, that would be very unhealthy too! Funny how our body and brain work to establish homeostasis and what a powerful lesson that is to always seek and find balance in our own day to day life It is all connected, really! If you want to prime your body's function, your decision making process, and your overall zest for life, practice the art of reframing! Learn how to take what appears to be negative or less than ideal and see it in a new light. One example shared in my Master's Program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling has stuck with me that I feel provides great insight in how you might apply to your own experiences. It was something along these lines; A teacher called the mother of their student to let them know how well behaved and relatively tame the pre-k child was. The mother was happy but also confused because her child always acts up with her. Crying when he gets home from school, fussing over little things after his day, and even resisting going to school! She told her therapist about how frustrating this was, to hear of how well behaved he is but also to have to constantly be in a state of chaos with him. To which the counselor replied, 'Ah, it sounds like your son feels safe to express his needs and emotions around you'. The mother then realized she had never saw it like that. She only saw her kid as causing trouble or being a pain for her and good for everyone else. It wasn't until a reframe was presented that she realized, it was not so much about changing her son or being resentful or confused about the behavior but more so honoring and embracing her son for being safe to express with her around versus being bottled up at school all day. What stress or negativity might you be able reframe in your life today? Need help coming up with something? Sometimes I like to ask myself, 'If this was actually a gift given to me by someone, how would I thank them for it on the spot?' This helps me to create urgency because you all know what it is like to be given a gift and think 'Oh, an avocado' when you were hoping for a squash ;). Was this helpful for you? Did you gain any insight from this post? Share with a friend who could benefit or let me know what you got out of it!  At some point in your life you decided what it meant to not be beautiful, to have undesirable features, to be in less than perceived ideal shape, and to label differences / anomalies as flaws
Which also means that at some point you can also decide what it means to be beautiful, to celebrate your shape, to embrace your deviation from expected norms, and to accept what is truly human about your body As you decided to believe in how you are not enough over time, or maybe it happened in a significant or traumatic moment, or even all at once You may find that challenging the beliefs and having confidence in your new decision making around self-acceptance and beauty can also happen over time, in a moment (this one maybe?), or over a series of events The important first step is recognizing that even if the beliefs have been “wired”, “conditioned”, or “reinforced” within you They can also be detangled, removed, and replaced Luckily for us, our body is equipped with a powerful tool which we can manipulate and change And even better? That tool is our control center Commanding your brain and leading yourself through introspection & commitment to new thought patterns, new behaviors, and new environments will ultimately lead to a new, and improved (depending on how you apply yourself), reality Don’t wanna go at it alone? Contact me to discuss how we can work together so you can BUILD MORE THAN JUST A BODY and truly make peace with yourself |
Celeste Rains-Turk
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