what weights for next blast?

[Scott Stevenson]

How high did you increase the weights when you started back?

It sounds like you might need to:

1.) Keep food intake HIGHER during the last part of the Cruise.

2.) Start back with the same weights, perhaps, or at least not move the weights up as if you're expecting a really large increase in strength. Just continue on based on what you'd have done based on your past training session: If you're at the top of the rep range then increase weight, but if not, stay with the same loads until your reps go above the range you've set.

You're strong as hell and have been at this a while, so fine tuning your cruise might be necessary. It sounds like you did things right as far as training, but I'd keep the food high per #1 above. Or, if you're dieting now, then at least try to not lose so much weight.

(I bet if you GAINED 4lb during the cruise, things would have been different. )

-S