Is this an realistically attainable goal? Do you need an insane workout routine and diet to walk around on a day to day basis shredded? Or is there a way to get to that point, then go back to a normal diet and realistic workout routine while maintaining the looks?

Edit for more info:

Reason why I asked this is because I saw this guy today while driving walking down a busy street with no shirt on for no apparent reason (he didn't look like he was jogging or in workout clothes like he was walking home from the gym). But this guy was totally ripped in every possible way like he just walked off the stage. Like casually cut up like I have never seen before. I almost stopped my car right then and there to ask him how he just casually looks like that but I didn't want to look gay.

It looked so crazy that if I could maintain a look like that I would never wear a shirt again. Ever.

like he just walked off the stage

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To truly stay at THAT level of ripped, no. Competitors do absolutely ridiculous stuff in terms of diet and exercise manipulation, and put themselves through extreme physical pain in the upcoming weeks before a show. You simply can't go through that **** 24/7, either mentally or physically. Not to mention all the drug use it takes to reach that level.

You can still look really ****ing head-turning jaw-dropping ripped all the rest of the time, though. Just takes hard work and dedication!

Anyways, do you really want to look like a pro bodybuilder? Those dudes are ****ing freaks man!

HardTimes said:

I almost stopped my car right then and there to ask him how he just casually

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No, not because you'd look like an idiot stopping your car and hopping out, but because you'd look "gay."

What the hell is with this obsession about avoiding looking gay?

Dopey? Fine.
Stupid? Fine.
Uneducated? Fine.
Jobless? Fine.
Gay? OH GOOD LORD NO PLEASE NO ONE EVER THINK THAT

To maintain your workout gains, you need to continue working out at least twice aweek. Make sure you hit the muscle groups that you want to keep in shape. Most importantly watch your diet. You want to contine taking in the same number of calories you take in on average daily while keeping the calories gained from starchy foods to a minimum.

Devon said:

To maintain your workout gains, you need to continue working out at least twice aweek. Make sure you hit the muscle groups that you want to keep in shape. Most importantly watch your diet. You want to contine taking in the same number of calories you take in on average daily while keeping the calories gained from starchy foods to a minimum.

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If you have built up your muscles through strength training rather than body building, then they will last MUCH longer. Taking a year off from strength training will leave you with 80% of your strength and muscles.

This is due to the fact that muscles built through strength training are dense muscles with lots of fibers that take much longer to atrophy and are used all the time by your body. Muscles built through bodybuilding are pumped of sacks of fluid with less muscle fiber, that your body does not need and will look to get rid of the moment you stop working out.

So if you want to have low maintenance muscles, opt for strength straining. However, having the muscle tone is a different story, in which you must keep on working to keep your muscles toned, as layers of fat will build up without exercise.