Maybe, but I also believe it's due to a lack of routine in my exercise, nutrition, and sleep schedule. Everything is adjusted to fit my work schedule, rather than the other way around. Essentially, my approach to exercise and nutrition resembles a sine wave: one month everything is great, then comes a downturn—lacking calorie control, fewer workouts, less sleep, and increased work
Yeah, need to make sure your nutrition is in check and reasonable. E.g. make sure your macros are ok to support the exercise. If you cut, that you do it in ok pace and don't crash diet, etc. Just need to find that sustainable balance between working out, work and other life.
Also Jay Vincent from time to time. He’s a bit militant about HIT, which I presently subscribe to, but if I had to bet a dollar I’d say he’s not as natural as he claims. Also Drew Baye for some of his earlier articles. Also focusing on HIT. An older guy, presently in his 80s, who knows his stuff is Clarence Bass.
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of HIIT; I'm more comfortable working with heavy weights. But usually, HIIT athletes look great. Do you like HIIT?
If you want to see what can be achieved naturally, search for images of e.g. Greg Doucette and Ronnie Coleman before they started taking steroids (at around 30), but these guys also have awesome genetics and many years of training of course.
You can achieve it with low frequency, high intensity resistance training while eating sensibly and sleeping well. The HIT trinity are the 3 Bs: brief, basic, and brutal. Followed by sufficient recovery.