• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Fitness

Sacrifices You Need To Make To Get Shredded

by Vidur Saini Published on May 3, 2022

enter the cutting phase
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Sacrifices for a Ripped Physique

Getting shredded isn’t easy. It takes months of consistent hard work to drop down your body fat percentage to reveal your muscle conditioning. Getting lean requires commitment and it depends on you if you’re willing to make the tradeoffs.

Achieving a chiseled physique demands sacrifices and isn’t for the faint-hearted. The hardest part of making these sacrifices is that they aren’t a one-time thing. You could have to face them daily.

No Random Eating

If you’re working for a ripped physique, you should have a strict diet plan that prohibits you from feasting on random food. You probably will be counting your calories and sticking to your macros by prepping your meals in advance.

No more going out for dinner and eating whatever you feel like. Obtaining a shredded physique almost turns into a full-time job and you’ll have to work on it even if you don’t like it.

A Strict Bedtime

It’s important for an athlete to stick to their recovery program. On a shredding cycle, your bedtime could be stricter than that of a 10-year old. So, no more late night movies or binge-watching your favorite shows.

To make matters worse, one of the most common side effects of dieting is – bad sleep. Many scientific studies show a lack of sleep can make you eat more which can turn into a vicious cycle and throw you off your plan if you’re not mentally tough.

healthy cereal

Prepare for DOMS

DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is the sore feeling in your muscles on the next day after you train a muscle group. The levels of soreness are higher and it lasts longer when you’re trying to bring down your body fat percentage to extreme levels.

The DOMS extend because the nutrients required to repair your muscles are lacking in your body while you’re shredding. You don’t have enough calories and macronutrients to get the work done.

Good-Bye Sex Drive

If your goal of getting ripped is to spark up your bedroom life and look good naked, you should reconsider. Dieting down to ultra-low levels of body fat can cause you to lose all interest in your sex life.

It’s a well-documented fact that the pro bodybuilders nearing the competition day often lose their sex drive due to lower testosterone levels. Not only will your desire for sex diminish but it will also negatively affect your performance in the bed.

Out of Energy

One of the biggest drawbacks of shredding is you will always feel tired and exhausted. Your body stores energy in the form of glucose and fat. Getting rid of the excess carbs and fats in your body will drain your body of its energy reserves.

Don’t expect to engage in heavy physical activity while you’re shredding. Extreme low levels of body fat aren’t healthy and shouldn’t be maintained all year around. Keep an energy bar at hand which meets your calorie intake allowance in case of dire situations.

Header image courtesy of Envato Elements


What has been your lowest body fat percentage? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.

About Vidur Saini

Vidur is a fitness junky who likes staying up to date with the fitness industry and loves publishing his opinions for everyone to see.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility