Hey Chillen
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Where are you at physically after your illness? I'm still suffering after a pretty bad fever but thankfully a cupboard full of protein shakes got me through without any weight loss. Did you lose much?
Are you going to be back on a bulk to speed recovery?
Good morning CCR. For nearly 2 weeks (or so) of the 3 weeks of the virus illness, I couldnt hold any water/food down from time to time, and sometimes this could be consecutive days in a row. I got seriously dehydrated a few times and of course weakened because of this.
I lost over 6 pounds in about 10 days or so in the first two weeks. Before the Upper Respitatory Infection which then turned into combination of an ear infection and upper respitatory infection, I was hovering around 168 to 170, up from 154 (and was doing a small bulk and had changed my routine for it). It was going rather well, though admittingly, I had some psychological issues dealing with the bulk (I have my phychic atune and trained really well for a cut or deficit dieting, not so well with a bulk, I admit).
The loss (during the sickness) depressed me alot, but in reality, I had no control over the loss, but also knew that since I couldnt drink water and eat food (most of the time), that it was largely dehydration and lack of nutrients, and thought I would gain most of it back once I got better. The 3 week, I started feeling better, and ate in small surplus to aide recovery though the ear infection was still hanging on for dear fricken life.
I gained most of the weight back, and the body seemed to bounce right back as if nothing had happened, though I didnt gain all the 6 pounds I had lost, I did manage about four in one week (rehydration, etc). I didnt train for about 3 weeks, which has never happened since I began my goal quest 2 years ago.
So, I went from the bulking (hey I am a small dude, HEHE at 5' 7") of 168 to 170, to about 163 during the sickness, and then gained about 4 pounds bringing back to around 167 (-/+ but very close). All morning weighs.I spent about 3 months going from 154 (approx) to about 168 to 170 (approx), and sure I had thoughts of my hard work------going up in fricken smoke.
However, suprisingly and judging from my appearance, I didnt lose much muscle (its possible) but I couldnt see it with a naked eye, but I did lose some fat tissue, and would judge it at the time to about 11% to 12%. I felt week though, even after taking a week of small diet surplus to recover.
When I went back to training, I was both anxious and not wanting to know at the same time. Therefore the first workout was an experiment on where I was at as compared to the last workout before the illness to see what I have lost, if anything.
The first workout, I just halfed it. Meaning I took the exercises I performed, and just did a couple sets for each to judge where I was at. I thought this logical to setup my approach and continue my progression from there whether I lost or not. I did lose some strength and had to drop some weight a small bit, but it wasnt really drastic. I was pleasantly surprised.....but I did lose some.
Originally, the bulk plan was to bulk to around 170ish (175 approx) and retreat back and cut with a goal weight around 163-165 (thereabouts) (
IF this weight brought the 8% BF. However, I have changed my frame of mind, because I have been doing the bulk for the wrong reasons, and I was terribly unhappy. Therefore, I am going to stick with what makes me extremely happy, excited, rambunctious, full of energy, and in my opinion, looking great--for my age bracket. If you think back in the summer, I was rather...."excited" at times......

HAHAHHA, HEHHEHE.......LOL
Currently, I am leaning down, and the goal here is to keep as much muscle I can, lose as much BF as I can, and stay "above" 160. I will be heavier than the 154 (in avatar pic), but I will be just as lean if not leaner this time around.
This period was a learning experience. The COL is going to double as my training journal, and I plan to post my training and dieting to it as I go along to give some idea what I am doing. I have posted some information.....several pages back, on why I do the things I do when I lean down. I did this so persons would have a general idea on why I approach things the way I do. Its one thing: positive body feed back....and to this their is no equal.
Glad to see ya! Hope things remain good at work, and just give that brown nosing.......piece of.......hmmmm, a kick in the arse.......for me......(see I read my friends log.....)
Best wishes to you,
Chillen
(Don)