My Journey to Sub-10% Body Fat

Yashasvi Girdhar
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4th April, 2025

When I set out to reach sub-10% body fat, I had no idea how deeply the pursuit would challenge me - physically, mentally, and emotionally. This has been one of the most intense goals I have ever chased.

DEXA scan showing 9.2% body fat

My DEXA scan report. DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is considered the gold standard for body composition measurement.

Before photo
Jan 30, 2024
After photo
Apr 4, 2025

It demanded months of relentless execution and unwavering discipline. Training, nutrition, sleep, NEAT and stress management - every aspect had to be dialed in, almost every single day.

Getting below 10% wasn't about sporadic commitment; it meant reshaping my entire lifestyle.

I'm a Senior Software Engineer at Google, and this transformation happened alongside a demanding full-time job - every step had to coexist with the pace and pressure of that role. I trained while low on energy, planned meals in advance, scheduled workouts around meetings, and had to make social tradeoffs to stay on track.

Despite the grind, I loved pushing my body. There were hard days, but I've never felt healthier or more focused. Even when physically tired, I felt mentally sharper than I had in years. The rewards went beyond aesthetics - better metabolism and cardiovascular health, improved sleep, and a stronger connection to my body being some of them.

As a Software Engineer, I've always had a habit of documenting things [1, 2]. This project is no different.

Most fitness content tells you what to do. I want to share not just the practical strategies, but also the mindset that helped me consistently stick with it. From mental models to concrete tips, I'll break down what actually worked. I wish something like this had existed when I started - something that explained how to think about fitness, discipline, tradeoffs, and identity.

What to Expect Here

Each week, I'll share my candid thoughts on a topic that played a critical role in this journey - be it nutrition, training, or mindset.

If you're trying to get leaner, stronger, or simply more in control, read along. And if something here helps you stay the course on a hard day, then this project has already done its job.

Check out all the posts published so far.