Scaling back after an 18 months hiatus

DaivaSimone
DaivaSimone Posts: 657 Member
edited November 16 in Social Groups
Hi ladies!

I was doing Stronglifts 5x5 from January 2015 to October 2015. Then, I got pregnant, and I stopped lifting around the beginning of my 2nd trimester because deadlifting and squatting was sending my heart rate to the roof, which was not compatible with all the growing a tiny human thing. I gave birth at the end of May and didn't lift heavy for the first 9 months of my maternity leave (yes, thanks Québec for those generous paid maternity leave) because I didn't have access to a gym with on-site daycare, but I did various training programs at home (mostly Beachbody programs: T25, Cize, Core de Force... you know the drill). I still do those about 5 times a week.

I'm still on maternity leave, but amazingest tiny human will start daycare in two weeks and I plan on starting a 12 weeks round of Stronglifts 5x5 at the same time

I'm kinda confused with the scaling back process. I read that I'm supposed to deload by 50% from my last workouts, but is it still true after a year and a half of not lifting at all (well, except some light dumbells and a giggly 21 pounds critter)? Should I start back from the beginning with only the oly bar?

Any thoughts or advise about this?

Replies

  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    i'd start from the beginning. you haven't just been not-lifting, you've been pregnant and then a new parent as well. i'm sure you remember how quickly 'heavy' happens even when you start light :)

    congrats on the baby.
  • amyinthetardis1231
    amyinthetardis1231 Posts: 571 Member
    Following for future reference! #1 is 21 months old and there may be a #2 late next year if all goes well. I've been thinking about how the time away will affect lifting, esp if it's a repeat CS.
  • Fittreelol
    Fittreelol Posts: 2,535 Member
    i'd start from the beginning. you haven't just been not-lifting, you've been pregnant and then a new parent as well. i'm sure you remember how quickly 'heavy' happens even when you start light :)

    congrats on the baby.

    This. At this point you've been not lifting longer than you had been lifting. Plus relaxin can hang around for up to a year so you might not be used to lifting with that additional flexibility. Start at the beginning and you'll be back in no time!
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