Thank you.
The "hardest" thing I ever took was creatine and that was like 8 years ago. I take zero supplements now, and of course, never did any PED's.
I went from 205 to 165 and I did not lose really any muscle, although I lost a lot of strength.
At this point in my life, I am less concerned about weight and size and more focused on health.
Same here. I actually had my first workout back in the gym TODAY. I briskly walked 3.5km [2.2 miles] in 35 minutes, then did 25 minutes of weights.
I bench pressed 230-lb in contest form, and feel I had a pretty clean 250-lb in me, had I had a spotter.
At my age, I feel I am more prone to injury [I've never had one - knock on wood], so I am going to do a 20 week plan to add 5-lb on my bench press each week until I hit 330-350 [my previous max]. I might have to skip the summer contests again this year, but so be it.
I might do start next week at 240-250...250 for sure, if I have a spotter. And I'm not going to deviate from this plan.
If I feel stronger... I'll do reps. So when I get to 265-lb, rather than attempt 270-lb... I'll rep out 265-lb.
I could get my strength back faster...but I'm not pushing it. I'm in it for life, and don't want to risk injury. I think my physique will come back in six weeks...but to strengthen my ligaments and tendons will take longer.
I'm hoping to get to a bench/squat/deadlift of 315/405/495 within 20 weeks while simultaneously getting my cardiovascular shape back up.
I have every medical test on the planet scheduled for next month. I really do fear for my health, and I take nothing for granted these days.
The squat will be contest deep, with knee wraps, and the deadlift will be with straps. I can get stronger than a 1,215-lb total...but not at 175-lb. Not with my current life/family.
I didn't know you were in such great shape. I need to see photos like that to get inspired to get committed again!
