How fast do you guys gain back muscle after a layoff?

[1hardgainer]

So I've been back in the gym for the past 11 weeks after taking a 6 month break. I lost around 10 lbs. during that time and managed to gain back around 6-7 lbs. of it. Is it normal to take that long to gain back what you lost???? I figured muscle memory would kick in and I would gain it all back within the first two months. At the rate I'm going, it may take 4+ months (and that is assuming I am able to gain all of it back). My diet, training routine, supplements, etc. is EXACTLY the way it was before I took time off. I am just about back to full strength so I am absolutely baffled at why the weight isn't following. I should have never taken that long of a break, or I should have never returned to the gym. What is the longest break you guys ever took from working out and how long did it take to gain back everything you lost?

[TonySturch]

how are your measurements? Is the body fat percentage identical? To me, 4 lbs seems to be well within the margin of error. You might have gained it all back, but lost a little fat.

[J1n]

i took a 6 month break cause of work. i was traveling 90% of the time so i couldnt really workout. i did manage to do pushups and situps and lift using what i could like my luggage n crap or if i was lucky there would be some dumbells at the hotel but most had just cardio equipment. anyways i ended up losing 10lb. now that i transfered and am no longer traveling i started to go to the gym again and i did sort of a dirty bulk. i did a dirty bulk for 3 months im almost back to my old strength but im still not there yet. right now im cutting cause i gained to much fat on that dirty bulk and i gain fat when i was travelling (eating out all the time). right now id say im around 14-15% BF trying to get down to like 7-8% and then doing a clean bulk.

[Paulo]

I took the better part of 4 years off and I've been back now for 9 weeks. Obviously I lost ALL of my gains but I've put on 14 lbs... 1.5" on the arms... 3" on the chest... and Im feeling good about it

[1hardgainer]

how are your measurements? Is the body fat percentage identical? To me, 4 lbs seems to be well within the margin of error. You might have gained it all back, but lost a little fat.

Unfortunately, I haven't been consistent in taking measurements (especially bodyfat %). In fact, I haven't had a bodyfat measurement taken (using calipers) in years. I guess it's because I am your typical skinny hardgainer so I figured my bodyfat % doesn't fluctuate much (I know maybe I shouldn't assume this!). I know I may sound crazy for getting upset about 3 lbs., but since I'm only around 180 lbs., I feel that 3 lbs. is a HUGE difference (as opposed to a guy who weighs 280 lbs., for example).

[TonySturch]

Well, how about waist size? Also, dont forget you may not have fully saturated creatine mono (if youre supplementing with it). That alone could be worth a couple of pounds in water weight. Have you gotten back your previous max weight lifts yet?

I would not worry about where you were months or years ago. Concentrate on where youre going. Go get a tape and take accurate measurements. Take pictures for comparison later on. Chart everything. Only being 3 or 4 pounds down, youre probably not too far away from blowing right past where you were in the near future anyway, hardgainer or not. Eat, lift, sleep, repeat.

[tms.1978]

i took 3 years off. it ruined my physique. gained BF that i'm still trying to lose. however once i started training again my muscles responded quickly, probably after about six months i was back to my previous muscle size.