End of Strength I: week 8 (20) prep for Strength II begins

• Weight - 14st 3lb (back up 2lb from last week)
• Body Fat % - 6.1% (digi-callipers -up 0.3% from last wk)
• Waist - 33.5+ inches (slightly more than last week)

This week I've been struggling a bit with a few aches and pains not least in the back where I pulled it doing a correction of form on the deadlift and the knees (particularly the right one). I finished the last Strength I session at the beginning of the week and then waited until Friday to do the first of my preparation sessions of the Strength II workouts that I intend to begin when I come back from vacation. Obviously the reduction in activity and possibly a little bit of overeating may have resulted in the rise this week but I suspect that last weeks results were a tad low and that these have just adjusted this week even with the reduced activity.

I'm trying to do a run through each of the 4 workouts in Strength II to ensure I have the weights and exercise form correct so that I can get the maximum benefit from them when I return from vacation (which is only 2 weeks away now - can't wait). When I come back it will be strict plan A TNT to recover fatburning mode but I do intend to progress to plan B during Strength II using dates before and after workouts with my protien shake for the required carbs. I'm not entirely sure how long I'm going to be on plan A when I get back I suppose it depends on how bad I've been whilst I've been away but I'm edging to no more than two weeks but it may be sooner. We'll just have to see.

Speaking to the gym owner where I train and he has asked me whether I want to do a bodybuilding type pre-competition programme of exercise and training. I must admit I am very tempted once I get the Strength II sessions out of the way. These sessions should take me at most (@2 sessions/ week) a maximum of 8 weeks. Then I would seriously think about doing it and having my birthday as the target. This would then fit into my goals quite nicely. I'll have a word with him and see what's best. He mentioned that it would take about 15 weeks to get to where I want to be but obviously this is just a sweeping generalisation and a rough estimate. My only worry is the tiredness of doing something like this and energy levels plus the effect it would have on my concentration levels for work. I'll have to mull it over for a bit but like I said it is tempting. I'll let you know.

Cheers, BustaGut!