
KingOfRome
Buff Auschwitz Escapee
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- Joined
- Jan 17, 2018
- Posts
- 8,039
I've managed to maintain it pretty well. In fact, my waist has shrunk slightly, so I'm even leaner now than I was when I finished my diet last month, if only by a small amount. Some of you might be surprised to hear I don't count calories or macros, or even weigh my food that often. I do follow a structured meal plan that I developed based on target calorie and macro ranges, which isn't nearly as difficult and is the same strategy I used to get this lean to begin with. The law of diminishing returns applies to the effort you put into tracking your food, as since it's impossible to know your exact calorie input or output, it's also impossible to micromanage your diet effectively, so trying to do so will just give you unnecessary stress.
Some things I've noticed about being 10% body fat:
Some things I've noticed about being 10% body fat:
- It's not the magic number for aesthetics some people purport it to be. The difference between 10% and 12% is rather small physique-wise. Even the one between 10% and 14% isn't mind-blowing. We're talking a few pounds', a couple kilograms' difference. Although it is true that I look more muscular and fit without a shirt, I still looked decently muscular and fit when I started at 14% body fat. There is virtually no difference once the shirt comes on.
- Most adult-size shirts are loose around my waist, even small ones. If I want a shirt off the rack that fits my waistline, I need to go to the children's section. Keep in mind I live in the United States, where vanity sizing has dominated clothing racks everywhere, so an adult's small where I'm from might be different from an adult's small where you are. I have a BMI of around 24, so I'm not a small person by any means.
- Facial improvements have been marginal, if there at all. I've always had a sort of "cancer patient" look due mainly to my hairstyle and generally tired, haggard appearance, something getting my face leaner has only exacerbated.
- I don't tolerate hunger as well. I'm more prone to getting "hangry" now than when I was fatter. By the time I get out of bed, I'm ravenously hungry.
- I don't tolerate cold as well, either. What's warm to most people is slightly chilly to me.
- Cardio is slightly easier, especially cardio where my body weight is a major component, like running or plyometrics.
- My recovery between weightlifting sets and sessions is better.