By: Michael Beiter

My client dropped a nice one-liner today after our session: "There's no summer body; this is my body."

We delved into the intricacies of maintaining a year-round physique, celebrating his recent triumph of hitting 8% body fat and shedding 5 inches from his waist. Now, our focus shifts to holistic aspects—heart health and stress responses.

His insight on viewing body weight and fat maintenance as a victory resonates deeply. It's a breeze to stay active and mindful about nutrition when the sun shines, and the world is painted in vibrant hues. Quarters 2 and 3 usually witness peak motivation for fitness and healthy eating. However, the real challenge kicks in during the notorious Quarters 4 and 1, especially here in the Midwest, where weather swings are legendary.

Our climate dances from pavement-frying summer to paw-freezing winter within six months. Dealing with such extremes demands a unique resilience, a quality for which Midwesterners are renowned. In this context, resilience means steering clear of the dreaded cycle of winter weight gain followed by frantic spring shedding. Our bodies detest this rollercoaster of gains and losses.

The key to navigating this seasonal rollercoaster? I'd like for you to maintain the momentum of your actions from the warmer months. If those months weren't your healthiest, don't fret—start fresh and ponder, "How can I make this sustainable so quitting is not even on the radar?"