The Harsh Truth About Being Shredded (My Personal Experience)

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their personal experience of getting shredded over the past decade, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of maintaining a low body fat percentage. While being shredded enhances physical appearance, boosts confidence, and improves performance in calisthenics, it also comes with challenges such as decreased energy, weakened immunity, and potential muscle loss. The creator advises against staying shredded year-round, suggesting that a lean physique is more sustainable and healthier. They also offer a limited-time sale on fitness programs to help viewers achieve their transformation goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Staying shredded can look impressive, especially if you have a harder time building muscle. Dropping body fat to below 10% can make anyone appear more muscular.
• 😀 Achieving a shredded physique is a significant accomplishment, requiring discipline and sacrifice, particularly with food choices.
• 😀 Being shredded can boost your confidence, not only because you look good, but also because you worked hard to achieve your goal.
• 😀 For calisthenics athletes, being shredded can make advanced moves, like one-arm pull-ups or the human flag, easier due to less body weight to move.
• 😀 One downside of staying shredded is decreased energy levels, meaning longer recovery times and reduced workout intensity.
• 😀 A very low body fat percentage can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness due to increased cortisol levels.
• 😀 When shredded, the face can appear gaunt or unhealthy, despite looking good when flexing or working out.
• 😀 Being in a constant calorie deficit to stay shredded can result in muscle loss, making it difficult to build or maintain muscle over time.
• 😀 It's not worth staying shredded all year long; it’s better to find a balance that allows for muscle growth, energy, and health.
• 😀 The ideal state for most people is to maintain a lean physique (around 10% body fat) rather than being shredded for extended periods, as it is easier to sustain and comes with fewer downsides.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'being shredded'?

Being shredded refers to having a very low body fat percentage, which results in a lean, muscular appearance. This state is achieved through a combination of diet, exercise, and calorie deficit.

Why does the speaker say being shredded looks more impressive?

When you're shredded, your muscles become more visible due to the low body fat percentage. Even if you don't have large muscles, the definition and vascularity stand out, making you look more muscular.

What is the significance of the 'accomplishment' that comes with being shredded?

Getting shredded is difficult and requires significant discipline, especially when it comes to sticking to a clean diet and resisting temptations like junk food. Achieving this goal is seen as a personal accomplishment, showcasing strength and self-control.

How does being shredded impact confidence?

Being shredded boosts confidence not only because of the physical appearance but also due to the sense of achievement from reaching a challenging goal. This accomplishment can enhance self-esteem and make others notice your hard work.

What specific calisthenic skills are easier to perform when shredded?

When you’re shredded, exercises like one-arm pull-ups, front lever, back lever, and the human flag become easier because carrying less body weight means your muscles deal with less resistance, improving your performance in these advanced movements.

What is a major downside of staying shredded for a long time?

One major downside is decreased energy levels. Staying shredded can lead to fatigue, slower recovery times, and a reduced ability to train at full intensity, making it harder to maintain peak performance.

How does being shredded affect the immune system?

When you stay shredded for extended periods, your immune system becomes weaker. This is due to a constant calorie deficit and low body fat, which can increase cortisol levels, suppressing the immune system and making you more susceptible to illness.

Why does the speaker mention that their face looks 'stared' when shredded?

The speaker points out that while their body looks defined and muscular when shredded, their face becomes gaunt and less appealing. This is because of the low body fat percentage, which affects the appearance of the face, making it appear more hollow or sunken.

What happens to muscle mass when staying shredded for too long?

Staying in a constant calorie deficit for long periods makes it difficult to build muscle. The body doesn’t have enough energy to build muscle mass, and instead, it focuses on maintaining the lean state, which can even lead to muscle loss over time.

What is the speaker’s final recommendation regarding staying shredded year-round?

The speaker advises against staying shredded all year round, as it is not optimal for building strength, muscle, or maintaining high energy levels. Instead, they recommend achieving a lean physique (around 10% body fat) that’s easier to maintain and healthier in the long term.