Weight increments after a long break

[Amos k.]

Dear Mr. Rippetoe,

My name is Amos, i am in weight room "training" since the age of 17, am now 36 years old, from Israel.

Unfortunately in my early years i was a victim of the routines which are "sold" in the commercial gyms, based on splits and the "Arnold book" guidelines making you believe that you need to do at least 15 sets per muscle in order to get forward.
Needless to say that dropping the "leg day" became a habit...

After a longer break from exercising during my University studies, at the age of 28, at the end of which i emerged at 70 Kg over 180 cm, i decided that i need something new to get back on the horse of physical condition and body weight.

I stumbled upon your routine (that was back in 2011) and book of SS and decided this is what I'll do until decided otherwise.

This was a beginning of a beautiful time of training in the university gym, in which i followed your exact program and instructions:
Within 4 months:

- Squat went from 90 kg to 150.
DL went from 100 Kg to 180.
Bench went from 70 Kg 10 125.
Press went from 30 Kg to 75.
Rows went from 40 Kg to 100. (i used them instead of cleans).
All the above 3X5 (except DL of course)
- Body weight went from 70 Kg to 85.
- I started strength training with a friend, after 4 months it was an epidemic which
resulted in 3 new barbell racks, 4 new Ivanco barbells, a new plate set from Ivanko and a
long waiting line for each rack.
Happy to say we swept the crowd and Gym owners.

since than SS is the guideline for all my training programs.

Unfortunately a back injury found it's way into my life, it happened during a DL.
I later discovered that my technique for squat and DL was inadequate which accumulated to the injury.
In the last 6 years i got a demanding job, got married and became a father.
The struggle for my free time and training is going on ever since.

Lately i managed to find my balance and am now going into my 3rd uninterrupted week of SS routine after a 4 months break from exercise.

Now comes the part of my question:
I chose relative low weights to start with for every lift, in comparison to the places I've been before, taking into consideration the long break, my intense life, my injury history..
These weight did seem good to start with in the 1st week but i feel strong already and fighting the temptation to add more weight than planned.
I.e, i decided for 5 Kg increments for all lifts, 10 Kg for DL - for the first 3 weeks.
After that the increments will drop to 2.5 Kg for all lifts, 5 Kg for DL.

It is very tempting to run with the 5-10 Kg increments due to the "good feeling".. should i? is it better to stick to the smaller increments even if they "feel easy"?
I have the drive and enthusiasm but i don't want to overtress myself or have an injury again.
What do you think?
Should i stay with the 5 Kg increments longer? until i feel "challenged"?

Thank you.

[Mark Rippetoe]

What weights did you start with?

[Amos k.]

80 Kg for Sq and DL.
70 Kg for BP.
45 Kg for press.
60 Kg for rows.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Practical Programming for Strength Training, 3rd edition – The Aasgaard Company

I really hate to have to keep saying this, but you're not doing the program. Do it like it says in this book.