The Ripped Body® Podcast “I ate only 5 foods to get lean.”
Nov 11, 2025
Chris shares his transformative journey from a drastic crash diet to sustainable weight management. He reveals the struggles of binge-restrict cycles and the emotional toll of scale obsession. Transitioning to weight training, he highlights the importance of gradual bulking and structured training. The conversation explores realistic muscle gain, effective bulking principles, and the benefits of a supportive gym environment. Ultimately, Chris emphasizes a balanced approach to fitness that prioritizes mental well-being and long-term success.
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Extreme Five-Food Cut
- Chris cut from ~170 lb to 118 lb by eating only five foods and heavy cardio for five months.
- He maintained the extreme diet solidly but then experienced binge-restrict cycles and fatigue afterward.
Scale Numbers Mislead Appearance
- Andy highlights that extreme dieting without resistance training likely cost muscle despite rapid fat loss.
- He emphasizes the leanness number doesn't equal appearance; training changes how you look at the same weight.
Slow, Patient Bulk
- Chris slowly bulked from ~125 to 160 lb over 2.5 years using small calorie increases and patience.
- He tracked strength gains and prioritized steady 100–200 calorie adjustments every two weeks when needed.