Fat Loss and Novice progression

[beefeater]

Advice needed.

As my linear novice progression is approaching it's death throes, I am starting to face the fact that I need to loose a great seal of body fat. I am in my late 50's, 6' tall, 307 lbs, with a 50" taped waist measurement.

Although I still haven't de-loaded yet, I've increased my rest times to seven minutes between sets, plus I am microloading, for press, bench press and row, but still stall sometimes.

My deadlift is still moving up fairly steadily. My squat came late to the party, thanks to my rickety knee and struggling to position the bar across my tight upper back, so I am still progressing quite a bit on the squat quite a bit.

I still weigh the same as when I began the S/S program, because I deliberately did not restrict my calories, in fact, I might have increased them due to higher protein intake and the incidental dietary fat intake that accompanies protein intake. I fear that if I start restricting my calories now, it will bring my LNP to a screeching halt.

Should I continue to keep the LNP on life support by increasing rest times, decreasing micro loads, and maintaining my caloric intake? OR, should I reduce my caloric intake, and switch to an intermediate program.

[Dalton Clark]

What are your lifts? What was your starting waist measurement?

[beefeater]

What are your lifts? What was your starting waist measurement?

I don't know what my starting waist measurement was, but my paints fit slightly looser, so, about the same as it is now, I reckon.

A. Squat, 145 x 5 x 3, Press, 142 x 5 x 3, Deadlift, 330 x 4 x 1 (couldn't get that last rep), Lat pulldown, 117 x 8,

B. Squat, 155 x 5 x 3, Bench Press, 192 x 5, 192 x 4 x 2, Row, 217 x 5 x 3, Barbell Finger curl, 140 x 8 x 5

My squat lags behind because of the difficulties that I mentioned in my earlier post.

I don't eat that many empty calories, but through six feeds a day a large amount food, protein, carbohydrate, and fats.
I might try cutting down on carbs, but not calories. What do you think about that.

[Dalton Clark]

Those weights in kilos or pounds? Cutting carbs but not calories won't get you anywhere. I've done the low carb thing and it is as effective as any other caloric deficit. If you have a 50" waist, you probably shouldn't have eaten unrestricted. This is a case where you are obese and should prioritize weight loss.

[beefeater]

Those weights in kilos or pounds? Cutting carbs but not calories won't get you anywhere. I've done the low carb thing and it is as effective as any other caloric deficit. If you have a 50" waist, you probably shouldn't have eaten unrestricted. This is a case where you are obese and should prioritize weight loss.

Those are pounds, but I wish they were in kilos LOL.
I didn't eat totally unrestricted in the sense that not only did I cut back the amount of what I was eating before starting strength, but the quality as well. Now, should I have restricted my diet even further, yes, although the linear progression might have stopped already. Did I mention that I'm in my late 50's?

[Dalton Clark]

So, a squat of 155 - even accounting for your issues and your age - is not close to ending as far as the LP is concerned. The press? Getting there. Same for the bench. But the squat needs a video form check. With a 50 inch waist, you should be able to slowly diet without sacrificing much at all from your LP. Certainly not enough sacrifice to offset the improvement in quality of life and overall health. I'd post a form check of your squat in the Starting Strength Coaches Q and A. I would also post about your nutrition situation in the Nutrition forum for Dr. Feigenbaum to give his opinions. I am almost certain that you have a form issue with your squat, and that Dr. Feigenbaum will tell you to cut weight at about 2 pounds per week.