
The drop in weight showsDef carrying less water weight and no pump in second photo. Spare tyre is definitely showing changejust gotta stay the course now and keep this deficit going.
Photos are about 3 weeks apart. Think I was 100-101kg in the first and wa 97.5 this morning for the second.
View attachment 7925

Good idea toning it back, I found a small break, then back into lighter work was the only thing that did the trick. Good luck with it!Lower back is not great. Got a Dr appointment tomorrow to ask for MRI referral. I can do everything except deep hinge movements.
Seems when my lower back gets to full flexion it's 50/50 as to whether it's gonna pop or not. Hopefully if it is a disc, it's just a minor tear.
It wouldn't surprise me with all the heavy BB squats lately. I did feel like I was progressing a wee bit too fast for my poor old body.
I can still do most other exercises without impingement though as long as I'm careful, which is good. Good time to just tone it back for a while while in a deficit anyway.
Chest/Biceps (A)
Monday, Mar 23, 2026 at 5:30pm
Chest Press (Machine)
Set 1: 9 kg x 12 [Warmup]
Set 2: 18 kg x 10 [Warmup]
Set 3: 29 kg x 8 [Warmup]
Set 4: 43 kg x 4 [Warmup]
Set 5: 50 kg x 15
Set 6: 50 kg x 15
Set 7: 50 kg x 15
Set 8: 50 kg x 12
Chest Fly (Machine)
Set 1: 18 kg x 8 [Warmup]
Set 2: 32 kg x 8
Set 3: 45 kg x 15
Set 4: 45 kg x 15
Set 5: 45 kg x 15
Bicep Curl (Cable)
Set 1: 13.5 kg x 8 [Warmup]
Set 2: 20.3 kg x 15
Set 3: 20.3 kg x 15
Set 4: 20.3 kg x 15
Preacher Curl (Barbell)
Set 1: 13.7 kg x 8 [Warmup]
Set 2: 18.7 kg x 10
Set 3: 18.7 kg x 10
Set 4: 18.7 kg x 10
Cross Body Hammer Curl
"Slow tempo"
Set 1: 12.5 kg x 10
Set 2: 12.5 kg x 10
Set 3: 17.5 kg x 10
Seated Wrist Extension (Barbell)
Set 1: 17.5 kg x 15
Set 2: 17.5 kg x 15
View attachment 7962
Yeah for sure. And I was silly for it to happen again. I was on auto pilot and wasn't thinking and just moved from lat pulldown onto cable row without realising what I was doing.Lower back isn’t something you push through. That pop feeling is a red flag for sure. MRI is the right move. Try to avoid anything that loads the spine in a hinge or deep flexion. Stick to stuff you can do pain-free like pulldowns, light rows, machines, arms, etc. Id say now is the perfect time to ease off, clean up form and let it settle while you’re in a deficit. My advice would be play it smart now and you’ll save yourself a much longer layoff. Let us know how you go.
Cheers mate.Good idea toning it back, I found a small break, then back into lighter work was the only thing that did the trick. Good luck with it!


Cheers mate, appreciate the feedback..Good luck with your CT scan…
Most of us old boys neglected mobility work me included it just makes us prone for injuries.
Calories: 2008
P:167g
C: 172g
F: 79g
Protein target -2.2–2.7g per kg LBM
= 160–200g minimum
= 200–220g ideal (cutting phase)
You’re currently at: 167g → just scraping the bottom end
Set at 210 and build around that
Adjust to:
2000cals
You will just feel fuller / less hungry
- Protein: 210g
- Carbs: 140–170g
- Fats: 55–65g
You’re in a very strong position:
And if you read any of my posts 10000 steps
- Training consistency
- Nutrition structure
- Deficit working
Now it’s just refinement:
Bring protein up to ~210g
Trim fats slightly
Hold calories steady
Execute consistently