I need advice.

[markyod]

**** getting shredded, just learn to fight better than everyone else

[Sadiahussain]

It sounds like you’ve got the drive, which is already half the battle. If your long-term goal is to have amateur fights, the best move now is to start structuring your training around mobility, conditioning, and fundamentals of combat sports rather than chasing numbers in the gym. A few points to consider:

1. Back pain and form issues – Lower back pain during Romanian deadlifts and squats often comes from poor bracing, weak glutes/hamstrings, or mobility limitations. A coach can help you fix your technique, and it might be smart to scale back weight until your form feels solid. Core stability work (planks, anti-rotations, bird dogs) will also protect your back.
2. Leg stability – Struggling to keep your right leg planted suggests either an imbalance or mobility restriction. Unilateral exercises (split squats, step-ups, single-leg RDLs) can help correct that.
3. Cramps and joint clicking – Cramps can come from dehydration, low electrolytes, or overuse. Make sure you’re fueling properly and warming up before heavy lifts. As for clicking in your shoulder, that’s a sign to check your form and strengthen your rotator cuff. Don’t push through pain—fix it early.
4. Diet for “skinny fat” – Dial in protein intake (1.6–2g per kg bodyweight), keep your meals clean, and track calories. You may need a slight calorie deficit at first to lean out, then shift to maintenance with strength progression. A nutritionist or even a dedicated personal trainer can save you years of trial and error.
5. Shift focus toward fight readiness – Lifting heavy is useful, but fighters are built on conditioning, agility, and explosiveness. Think sprints, shadowboxing, pad work, jump rope, and lots of rounds on the bag with intention, not just cardio. Strength training should support your fighting, not replace it.

At 24, you’re still young and have time. The key is consistency, professional guidance, and patience. Just like a bibliophile builds knowledge by reading one book at a time, you’ll build your fight career one training session at a time.