2 months off, lost 9lbs, and now can lift more?

[massivemark]

I took off 2 months, Im pissed that I did because I lost 9lbs. Funny thing is... I can lift about 10lbs or more on every set that I do? I dont get it? Can you get stronger by not lifting as much???

 

[scheisse87]

Hard to say honestly, too many variables. If your diet wasn't as good before, or you were overtraining, or not getting enough sleep, could all affect your strength.

I haven't seen anyone here talk about it yet, but I periodically do a deload with my training. Whenever I'm feeling beat up and not getting stronger I go half weight on all my workouts and the following week I start pushing it hard again with the heavy poundages. I always come back stronger that way and any nagging pains typically subside. It's a principle that a lot of powerlifters follow, including the westside barbell crew, although their deloads are a lot more complicated than what I do.

 

[BA69]

You were probably overtraining previously.

 

[MantusJohn]

I took off 2 months, Im pissed that I did because I lost 9lbs. Funny thing is... I can lift about 10lbs or more on every set that I do? I dont get it? Can you get stronger by not lifting as much???

Yes, of course.

You were probably overtraining and the layoff
was good for strength.

The lose of size may have been cause you
were eating less since not working out?

 

[massivemark]

???

Im wondering how I could have been over training when I only work out maybe 3-3.5 hrs a week!

Im wondering if I should just work out 2 days a week??

 

[anta]

there were times when i would have to take some time off and i always came back stronger, not 2 months though. i think taking some time off once in awhile is good but i wouldnt have thought someone would come back stronger after 2 months.

 

[ryanmercer]

Im wondering how I could have been over training when I only work out maybe 3-3.5 hrs a week!

Im wondering if I should just work out 2 days a week??

Sometimes your body just wears out. I've not been able to so any of my lower body stuff for two weeks now a I just have a fatigued feeling in a few places thats slowly going away and I train about as much as you just stated. Hoping next week I can get back to my leg stuff but I'll admit I'd been adding weight every week for like 6 weeks so I was just overdoing it.

 

[thatbloke]

just how much are you lifting?

bench, squat, deadlift, dumbell row, and any other main lifts you like to do?

 

[warrenpeace]

Planned layoffs can be a good thing, though 2 months is usually not the recommended length lol.