I used to think building muscle meant doing everything to the extreme. Eating way more than I needed. Cutting out movement. Pushing every workout until I was exhausted. Letting the scale control my mood. This season looks different and honestly feels sooo much better. I’m focusing on a small calorie surplus, still fueling my body with nutrient dense foods, keeping daily movement in, slowly increasing training intensity (while ensuring progressive overload of courseeee 🤪) , and trusting the process even on days I feel a little fuller or puffier. Progress might be slower this way, but it’s sustainable. My energy is better. My mindset is healthier. And I actually feel confident in my body while growing stronger 🫶🏼😙💓 You don’t have to suffer through a phase to see results. Balance does indeed build too! 🙌🏼❤️‍🔥