Best advice for getting back into the groove?

[Bdubb]

I've been out of the gym for almost a year and have been off my last cycle for about a year as well. I have no desire to do another cycle again as I don't see it as being worth while for my long term goals.

Seeing as I jumped on the bandwagon about 3 or 4 years ago with the AAS at the age of 21 I never gave myself the time to hit my natural potential. Just to check into things I am considering going to get a full physical to check out where everything stands and see what my test levels are. However, after being off for a year I feel fine and don't feel as if I have any lowered test levels, but I assume thats hard to tell without some blood work.

So, here I am wanting to get back into things after a year out of the gym and previous use of 5 cycles over the course of 4 years. Are there any suggestions that would help me in getting back into the groove and reaching my natural potential that I have left in me after taking some cycles?

My plan was to get back into the gym and run my same routine, but with lighter weights and just feel things out until I can get my reps back up and then start working on getting the weight back up to my previous amounts. I'm just looking to see from those of you who may some experience as to what route may be a little smoother for me. Yesterday was the first day back and on top of being depressed about lifting half of what I used to, I'm sore as hell and even cut my workout short as a safeguard.

[Bdubb]

Not everyone at once!

[BBAddict]

It sounds like you have some experience and probably know what you should be doing. I don't have the experience of quitting and coming back, but I would think you just need to get the diet nailed, maybe start taking some of the natural bodybuilders supplements and hit the weights. I think you're doing it right by starting light and remembering the correct lifting form and letting yourself ease back into it. good luck!

[imonboardtoo]

I expected you'd get more of a response, but from my perspective, the best way to get back in is to focus on why you want to. Best motivation in the world is in your gut, it's not on the boards or in the girls or anywhere but yourself. So stay focused on you.

How much you lift now is irrelevant. The goal is to get to where you wanna go. There's no shame in getting back, so ignore the other dudes. You'll be passing them soon anyway.

Plenty of good routines in here and in the muscle mags. Just be sensible as you increase the difficulty and weight of your workouts.

Good luck, man.

[meat12]

I lost my motivation the end of last year....all I did was use all the negative shit that was bringing me down as my motivation to get back on track again. Seemed to work for me

[mcalo4]

Just remember gains arent going to come as quick as they did when you were juicing, so be patient and dont get discouraged. Your diet has to be on too, pay attention to eating cleaner and be militant about not missing meals.
As far as training goes I'd probably start back with 2 or 3 weeks of full body training sessions just to get your body primed and ready to tackle some serious training. Good luck.

[go Yankees]

Tell yourself that you're not going to go back to benching 435 or squatting 600 like you were before...just pace yourself, make each and every single workout count, eat well, make gains, but be patient...don't worry about how little you're lifting, how weak you are, or how far you've fallen, just focus on the ride back to where you want to be

[lordikon]

When I want motivation I either: 1.) Look at my before pics (before I'd ever been to a gym, even once, I looked like a skeleton, no....seriously), or 2.) I get on here and read about workouts, diets, and look at member pics and see what I wish I could be.....I immediately want to eat healthier and workout more when I get on here, it's great.

[JUICE]

my advice is to go to the mirror and look at yourself right now. Imagine a couple of pounds more of muscle, cutter, leaner. THink of how good u will feel and look. That works for me. What i use to is the attraction for my girlfriend, the way she sees me. I'd always try to look at my best because theres not so many guys here who pump iron and look good, so her eyes will be on me:):):)