The first time I ran a SSLP I didn't follow the program. I didn't increase my food consumption enough, because I didn't want to be "one of those big fat powerlifter guys". Then I hurt my knee skiing, and this time around I decided not to fear gaining a few pounds of fat and to just go after it.

I'm 31, and I started at 180 lbs and somewhere around 20% BF (based on the navy test). I sat around for months after knee surgery getting skinny fat, but that's kind of hard to avoid.

Anyway, 1 month into my second crack at linear progression, I've been eating like a madman. I'm at around 192 lbs now, I think I've leaned up a bit, and damn if I don't need to buy a bunch of new shirts, and not because I have a protruding gut. Unfortunately I'm a really poor student, and my girlfriend is starting to complain about how tight my shirts are.

So if you don't have the money to buy a whole new wardrobe, don't follow the dietary advice in SSBBT. You've been warned.