Getting shredded is not easy, and I know this from experience. It takes months of consistent effort to drop body fat and reveal muscle definition. The truth is, getting lean requires more than just workouts… it demands daily sacrifices, and that commitment is not for everyone.
Over the last few years, you may have noticed how social media, magazines, and fitness influencers constantly push images of shredded physiques. It is motivating, but it also creates an unrealistic picture of what it actually takes to get there.
I love the renewed focus on fitness, but most people don’t realize the real tradeoffs behind getting a ripped body.
In this article, I’m going to unpack the true realities and sacrifices that need to be made if you want to get ripped. I’m not talking about looking good. I’m talking about getting shredded to the bone.
(For most, this will never be a reality as they don’t want to make the sacrifices, or they truly don’t have the desire to achieve that level of conditioning — which is ok)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, making changes to your nutrition plan, or adding any new supplements into your current regimen.
5 Sacrifices You Need to Make to Get Ripped
Let’s take a look at the sacrifices we all need to make to have a ripped body. Trust me, you may not want to hear these, but they’re the truth and our reality.
1. Say goodbye to random eating
If you are chasing a ripped physique, you have to follow a strict diet that leaves no room for random indulgences.
Most of the time, this means counting calories, sticking to macros, and prepping meals in advance so you always know exactly what you are eating.
Spontaneous dinners out or ordering whatever you feel like are no longer an option. The reality is that getting shredded almost becomes a full-time job. You have to stay committed to the plan every single day, even on the days when you would rather not.
2. Sleep will be affected
This is not the most well-studied phenomenon, but in my experience working with thousands of people, one of the most common “side effects” of dieting is poor sleep.
Most research looks at the opposite relationship, like how a lack of sleep makes us eat more, but there is some evidence that dieting itself can reduce sleep quality.
For example, one study on young women found that calorie restriction not only worsened sleep but also affected thyroid levels and heat production.
3. Be ready for the DOMS
You know that “I can’t even sit on the toilet after leg day” feeling? If you are dieting down to extremely low levels of body fat, get ready to embrace it even more.
One of the most common experiences people report is that soreness feels worse and lasts much longer while dieting. As you approach very lean levels, this effect becomes amplified.
The reason is simple, as your body does not have enough raw materials, calories, and macronutrients to fully repair muscle tissue. Without the proper fuel, recovery slows down.
This quickly turns into a bigger issue.
If it takes six or seven days to recover from a single leg session, your ability to train hard and train often is compromised. DOMS, or delayed onset muscle soreness, is normal after training, but at extreme levels of leanness, it lingers because your body is starved of the nutrients needed for repair.
4. Out of energy
One of the most significant drawbacks of getting ripped is the constant feeling of tiredness and exhaustion. Your body stores energy in the form of glucose and fat, and when you strip away those reserves by dieting, energy levels take a big hit.
Do not expect to perform at your peak during this time. Heavy physical activity becomes much harder, and pushing through only makes the fatigue worse.
Extremely low body fat levels are not healthy to maintain year-round, and your body will remind you of that. A smart move is to keep a quick snack or energy bar handy that fits into your calorie allowance, just in case you need an emergency boost.
5. Sex drive slams on the brakes
A lot of people diet down to ultra-low body fat levels because they want to look good naked. That is understandable, but if the process kills your sex drive, it kind of defeats the purpose.
Research shows that extreme dieting and very low body fat levels can lower testosterone and reduce libido. It is not just the desire that drops; sexual performance can take a hit as well.
So, if your motivation for getting super lean is to boost your sex life, you may end up stuck in a catch-22.
Author Bio:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is the owner of Weik Fitness. He is a globally recognized and prolific writer. With a passion for creating health and fitness content, Matt’s work has been featured on thousands of websites, over 100 magazines, and he has authored more than 25 published books.
