Part 9: Following the Seasons, Harmony Between Man and Nature – Creating a Naturally Slim Beauty

Follow the seasons, harmonize with nature, and create a naturally slim and beautiful figure.

Lao Tzu said in the *Tao Te Ching*: "Man follows the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature." This means that man must follow the earth, the earth must follow heaven, heaven must follow the Tao, and the Tao must follow nature. Only when man, earth, heaven, the Tao, and nature are in harmony can one truly approach the universe. The closer one is to the universe, the more nourishment one receives from it.

In simpler terms, to achieve harmony among these five elements, humanity must return to nature and achieve a unity of man and nature. Nature follows the cycle of spring's birth, summer's growth, autumn's harvest, and winter's storage. Humans are part of nature and also follow the cycle of the four seasons. From a health perspective, humans must align themselves with the seasons to achieve optimal results.

The *Huangdi Neijing Suwen* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic - Basic Questions) states in the chapter "On Regulating the Spirit According to the Four Seasons": "The yin and yang of the four seasons are the root of all things. Therefore, the sages nourish yang in spring and summer, and nourish yin in autumn and winter, in accordance with their roots; thus, they rise and fall with all things at the gate of growth. To go against their roots is to cut off their foundation and destroy their true nature." In other words, people must regulate their bodies in accordance with the qi of the four seasons to maintain good health, which is also a manifestation of the correspondence between man and nature.

Zhang Jingyue, a famous physician of the Ming Dynasty, said: "Spring corresponds to the liver and should be nourished for life; summer corresponds to the heart and should be nourished for growth; autumn corresponds to the lungs and should be nourished for harvest; winter corresponds to the kidneys and should be nourished for storage."

These ancient sages' theories on health preservation all emphasize that the physiological activities of the five internal organs must adapt to the changes of Yin and Yang in the four seasons in order to maintain harmony and balance with the external environment.

In spring, the weather is unpredictable, with alternating periods of warmth and cold, and the human body's metabolism is at its most active. During this period, all the body's organs restart to welcome the revival of all things. In summer, the energy of heaven and earth begins to transform. In autumn, the temperature gradually decreases, the air changes from humid to dry, the yang energy tends to decline, and life tends to be stored away, presenting a scene of solemn decline. In winter, the four seasons come to an end.

The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) states that the body's organs, qi, and blood undergo cyclical changes with the seasons: spring qi resides in the meridians, summer qi in the collateral vessels, late summer qi in the muscles, autumn qi in the skin, and winter qi in the bone marrow. This also reflects the different characteristics of the four seasons: spring is expansive, summer is hot, late summer is humid, autumn is cool, and winter is cold. Yang qi accordingly exhibits a rhythm of rising, floating, sinking, and descending, and the pulse also follows a pattern of floating in spring, surging in summer, wiry in autumn, and deep in winter.

To follow the seasons means to follow the changes of spring warmth, summer heat, autumn coolness, and winter cold, which is to follow the changes of the twenty-four solar terms.

We all know that a year is divided into four seasons, but the concept of the solar terms is becoming increasingly faint. The solar terms are the accumulated experience and wisdom of ancient sages. If we can have a thorough understanding of the four seasons, the solar terms, and the changes and needs of the body, the enemy of obesity will naturally flee in defeat.

The Relationship Between Solar Terms, Seasons, and the Body's Needs: During the Beginning of Spring, days become longer and temperatures rise, leading to increased blood metabolism. It's advisable to reduce the intake of acidic foods to nourish and protect the liver. During Rain Water, rainfall increases and temperatures rise again; pay attention to nourishing the spleen and stomach, and increase exercise to alleviate spring fatigue. During the Awakening of Insects, the weather warms up, rainfall increases, and the climate changes drastically; it's necessary to replenish fluids and stay warm. During the Spring Equinox, day and night are equal, and the climate is warm and humid; eat more foods that clear heat and detoxify, and nourish Yang energy. During Pure Brightness, temperatures rise and Yang energy rises; it's not advisable to take tonics; a low-salt diet can help alleviate high blood pressure. During Grain Rain, the weather is sunny and warm, especially in the mornings and evenings. The weather fluctuates between cold and hot; keep warm appropriately and eat more vegetables to regulate your stomach and reduce internal heat. During the Beginning of Summer, the weather gradually warms and all things grow vigorously; drink plenty of water to reduce heat, cool down, and nourish your yin fluids. During Grain Buds, the temperature rises and the climate becomes humid; eat light and refreshing foods and pay attention to clearing away damp heat. During Grain in Ear, the weather is hot and humid, entering the plum rain season; pay attention to clearing heat, reducing internal heat, ensuring adequate sleep, and exercising to improve vitality. During the Summer Solstice, the weather is hot, and the body's yang energy is at its peak; replenish water and vitamins, and increase salt intake. During Minor Heat, the weather is hot with occasional heavy rain; the stomach and intestines' absorption capacity decreases, so pay attention to food hygiene. During Major Heat, it is extremely hot and rainy. Get plenty of rest and avoid sun exposure; eat a light diet. As the weather changes with the beginning of autumn, eat more sour fruits and vegetables to nourish the stomach and lungs in preparation for the cooler autumn. During the end of summer, the heat lingers but the temperature cools; adjust your sleep and eat foods that clear heat and calm the mind. During the white dew, the summer heat gradually dissipates; daytime temperatures are suitable while nighttime temperatures are low; foods that nourish yin and replenish qi are beneficial. During the autumnal equinox, the days are short and the nights are long; autumn rains bring cooler temperatures; exercise to maintain health and treat winter ailments. During the cold dew, heat and cold alternate; the body's yang qi gradually recedes and yin qi gradually increases; eat a light and moist diet and keep warm. During the frost's fall, the weather is unpredictable and the body feels bleak and desolate; focus on gentle tonification and pay attention to nourishing the lungs. In winter, temperatures drop rapidly, and the body consumes a lot of energy to maintain body temperature. It's important to eat more high-calorie foods and increase vitamin intake. During the Minor Snow period, the weather is gloomy and cold. Increase outdoor activities, adjust your mindset, and eat more fruits and vegetables. During the Major Snow period, temperatures continue to drop, making it a good time to nourish the body and supplement with appropriate exercise to strengthen your constitution. During the Winter Solstice, cold air activity is frequent, and the body's Yin energy is relatively heavy. Pay attention to keeping warm and supplementing with high-calorie foods. During the Minor Cold period, there are often cold waves and temperature drops. It's good to nourish the body during the coldest days of winter to prevent illness in the coming year. During the Major Cold period, the wind is biting and the weather is cold. If you don't conserve your essence in winter, you will suffer from febrile diseases in summer. Pay attention to moderation in sexual activity and nourish your internal organs.

Although the solar terms are invisible and intangible, our bodies can sense their existence. By actively aligning ourselves with these natural rhythms and making adjustments to our diet and habits, we can help our bodies better adapt to the environment. Once we have a healthy foundation, weight loss becomes much easier.

Season and solar term are objective factors. To achieve weight loss success as soon as possible, regardless of which season or solar term you choose to start your weight loss journey, don't forget to create a weight loss plan for yourself:

Before you start losing weight, record your weight, bust, waist, hip measurements, and the circumference of your thighs, calves, and arms in a notebook.

• Plan, record, and calculate exercise volume.

Learn to calculate calories and record your daily calorie intake.

• Set a fixed time to weigh yourself, and don't weigh yourself every day, because weight loss is a long process and not something that can be achieved overnight. Weighing yourself too often will make you feel frustrated.

• Reward yourself appropriately. If you meet the requirements for several days, you can reward yourself with a piece of chocolate or other food, but don't eat too much.