220-222 lbs as of the last three days. Diet hasn't been perfect. Never eat unhealthy, but not getting all the calories in I hoped last week. When home, no issues, but with year end meetings / conventions in other provinces it has been a struggle. Travel / work - excuses, but a fact. Regardless, since coming back after being sick twice, the jump to 217 was pretty easy as it was just lost weight. Started to feel another cold/bug of some sort coming on which is getting on the ridiculous side. I am fighting off something and trying to keep it from my getting into my chest, from most of the reading it is the mucus build up that helps trap bacteria, viruses, etc. in your lungs so I am loading up on some herbs/supplements I am hoping will work. Usually by now, I am screwed, coughing up unpleasant stuff and wheezing, but I am not albeit not 100%.
Anyway, workouts have been great, and just weighed myself after not eating for 7 hours/waking up and was the same 222 so 5 lbs in a few weeks. I assume muscle memory, progressive overload on most lifts with the benefits of more quality food and a small boost in PED's.
Long story short - expected to slowly add some muscle but surprised at the increase in strength in specific lifts.
There is a lot of snake oil out there for people who suffer from chest infections/colds so I read a bunch of double blind placebo studies and decided to try a few to keep it from taking hold of my lungs - so far so good.
I am using Wise Woman's Licorice Botanical Syrup - twice the recommended dosage twice a day / Bought a quality probiotic as I just came off two rounds of antibiotics. I am also drinking unflavoured Kefir, a small glass in the AM with a small glass of Bragg ACV - 1 tablespoon in H20 in the AM. Added Natural Factors Sambucus Black Elderberry - 1 pill 3 times per day, Living Alchemy Holy Basil 2 caps 3 times per day, and no change - taking curcumin albeit I am using Natural Factors Theracurmin (orally has some of the best bioavailability albeit I still chew a few peppercorns to increase my piperine content). Taking higher doses of vitamin D and C. Drinking herbal teas all the time, which isn't new - we just bought kinds that are more beneficial for antimicrobial effects.
If you read on these products, they are recommended for thinning chest mucus, antimicrobial, immune support, and good for inflammation. This is an experiment as two of these I have not used in years, but after a few hours of reading picked the ones I wanted and instead of ordering online, paid more at the local herbal shop.