Shutdown Weight Loss

Hello all,

My name is Zach and I live in Israel (born in Chicago, you can understand why I no longer want to live there)

Started the program in January, but gyms were closed then open twice already - first for about two months then for about a month. So I'm still smack in the middle of my novice LP.

I'm 6'2", ~195. Started at about 160-165, so my weight gain has been excellent (30-35 pounds since January, with shutdowns). Finally starting to see a difference. But Israel has decided to shut down again because of coronavirus.

Squat went from 110 to 275
Deadlift (I had deadlifted a small bit before) from 220-303
Press from 77-123
Bench from 110-190

So generally good progress. Struggle a lot more on the upper body strength, but I see that most people do.

My question for Santana (and for all of you on this forum) is this - would you recommend weight loss during the shutdown?

Meaning, I'm still pretty skinny and want to add at least another 30-40 pounds altogether. As a previously (very) skinny guy to a currently (less) skinny guy, I think I'll get too fat before reaching 220-230 and need to drop before reaching that weight anyway (is this a fair assumption?), but would it make sense to take advantage of being forced not to train to drop some weight then immediately begin to ramp back up when I can get back training? Or is it better to lose weight specifically while training to mitigate muscle loss?

Thanks!

Anytime that you lose weight without lifting you are going to lose muscle. If you are going to do it do it high protein to minimize that. I don't see why you want to lose weight at your current weight? Also, I too was born and raised in Chicago and am no longer in that third world cesspool.

PS - get your deadlift up next run.

Thank you!

I don't necessarily need to be at a lower weight at all, quite the opposite. Just thought maybe being off training would be a good opportunity to shed a bit of fat without worrying about the accompanying strength loss because I'm not going to be able to train anyway and will have to work back up past my current weights anyway. Definitely planning to continue gaining with gusto when I can get back to the gym (I've been on a great run for about a month, listening to your advice, eating a ton of protein and carbs, gained several pounds and upped my squat from about 85kg to where its at now (127.5kg=280.5) as of my last workout. This shutdown couldn't have been at a more annoying time).

Just toying with the idea and thought I'd ask. If you think it's silly to even consider it at this point I'll definitely reconsider...

About the deadlift - after the last shutdown I went up 5kg a workout for a few then started getting more conservative with it. I'm still not pushing limit weights with it. I'll definitely focus on pushing it up more aggressively post-shutdown.

I'm not from US but it got me curious - what is wrong with Chicago ? Is there some socialist in power ?

I'm sorry for off topic.

Chicago has been under liberal control since the 1920s. It was a mob run town for the longest and evolved into a far left cesspool that will soon be to the likes of Portland if people don't get their shit together.