Live Your Life in Seasons

Happy Sunday Friends,

Nobody is always happy. Nobody is always sad. Nobody is always winning, or always losing. Life unfolds in chapters and phases. 

If you can remember this when times get hard, it becomes enjoyable to push through because you know that better times are on the horizon.Just as there are seasons in nature, all things in our lives have seasons. And, just as nature has seasons for a reason, so too do we in our lives.

Last year I decided to focus on key areas of my training, fitness and body composition. I have Jewish genes which means I don’t wake up strong as an ox and rippling muscles all over. And, being in my 40’s I have to put in the work and focus on specific goals.

So the first 3 months of the year I used a powerlifting protocol to increase my overall strength. I focused on a few big lifts, my technique and lots of rest. I increased all my lifting numbers by some margin.

To shift more weight I also needed to increase my body weight. It’s quite simple; mass moves mass. So, I had to eat. Something I am very good at. Now, with increased food intake of course I knew I’d be adding some shmulz to my love handles. Everything has balance.

Once I’d increased my overall strength it was time to move into the bro phase. For the following 4 months, I focused on muscle hypertrophy (growing muscle). My programming had to change to accommodate my new goal of adding 5kg of overall body weight in 5 months.Again, this would mean increasing my calorie intake to force my muscles to grow. And, again I knew I’d be adding quite a bit of icing to my muffin tops. I knew this was a sacrifice I needed to make.

It was now time to get ready for summer. I had 12 weeks to prepare.I adjusted my programming once again. I added more cardio to my lifting routine and I also cut my calorie intake significantly. Understanding that 80% of body composition comes from food intake.

By the time I got on the aeroplane to Thailand in December, I’d dropped 3kg of body weight and my body fat percentage was probably around the 10-12% range. Which meant I got rid of the love handles and replaced them with an Insta 6-pack.

My goal at the beginning of the year was to look and feel great when I got on that plane. But, for me to get there I needed to plan in stages. Attack the big goal by breaking it down into seasons. Take advantage of each season to achieve a specific goal.

Spring ForwardSpring is about awakening, new things and lots of beauty. We slowly shed the heavy, grey from winter. Spring is like the honeymoon phase of anything you do. It’s exciting and fresh, you wake up with energy every day.

When you start a new project, career move or even a new relationship the beginning feels just like spring. Take advantage of the excitement and slight nervousness you feel. Use that energy to positively tackle this new thing and make it great.

Summer Lovin’Summer is about growth. Building strength and resilience.In summer we’re outside, we’re active and still filled with energy. We wake up early and the extended hours of sunlight make us happy.Again, similar to spring we should take advantage of this time. Use our energy and strength to focus, grow and tackle the challenges head-on.Act like a bear and fill your life with richness to prepare you for the leaner times ahead. Make the most of life’s peak moments, the summers - don’t take them for granted.

Autumn LeavesIn many cities around the world autumn is the most beautiful season. A rainbow of botanical beauty surrounds us. We know hibernation is coming but some of the energy and brightness from summer remains. Autumn teaches us about letting go. Let go of big unattainable expectations, outdated self-images or bad relationships.

Winter’s GiftIn nature, winter is an essential part of every plant and animal’s lifecycle. The time to slow down, or even stop is vital. Periods of perceived regression are not times of unproductivity. They are essential for introspection, rest and preparation for future growth.

Reframe some of your challenges as opportunities for renewal. Use this quiet time as a crucial phase for deep learning and creativity.

We need to ignore the cultural obsession with constant happiness and success. Endless summers, in real life, are not as dreamy as we may think. Embrace the beauty and necessity of life’s winters for personal growth.Look at the deserts across the earth. Places that don’t get a reprieve from either endless summer or even winter become baron and drained of life.

I’d like to leave you with this key takeaway; each season has its purpose. Use each season to focus on 1-2 things only. Yes, that means you’re going to sacrifice or such at others but that’s ok.If it’s fitness training, choose to get strong, run fast or get flexible. Do one well. Choose 1 personal goal. Choose 1 work goal. Focus.

Be all in on the current season you’re living but, understand there is another on its way.

Live your life in seasons in seasons.

Peace, love and muscles.Jazza

P.S. I’m BAAAAAACK!

It’s been a while since I’ve shared one of these. I am focusing on growing my consultancy so this personal writing takes a bit of a back seat. But I miss my outlet so I’ll be trying to share fortnightly here.

I have also re-branded to Jazza.blog

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