Some random suggestions I would make to my fellow old farts out there from my own experiences over the years of having to start and stop lifting.

1) FIND A PRIMARY PHYSICIAN THAT UNDERSTANDS YOU AND YOUR GOALS:
There's no use looking good in a casket and we don't recover from screwups like our
younger counterparts. A physician that understands your goals and desires will be
one of your greatest asset no matter how long or short your journey is going to be.
If you don't have a primary physician get one or at least get into and finish medical school.
For what you spend on their services, saving you from one injury will pay for itself, look at it
like insurance. If you're like me and going ahead with a synthetic program because your
MD/PA/DO will not assist in your well being during your cycles, get another one. A good physician
will not refrain from attempting to keep you healthy just because your not doing what he/she advises.

2) GO SLOW, YOU'VE GOT MORE TIME TO GET IN SHAPE THAN TO RECOVER
How long does it take to gain 5 pounds of lean muscle naturally? 35-55 days. How long to recover
from a torn muscle? 30-90 days. A ligament injury 90-200 days etc etc. You get the point, but just
to drive it home I'll take my own bench in Jan 2018 12,10,8 reps 225lbs with 300lb negatives; after
being off a year in July 2019 10,6,4 reps 135lbs with 185lb negatives. Give it time and you'll be back
stacking on those other wheels, screw it up and you may not lift again.

3) FIND SOME PEER SUPPORT
Sure it's fun to listen to the young bucks talk all that shit in the gym, but we need a little
more support at our age. These guys have very few responsibilities at their age compared to us.
Having not one or two but four separate companies under my belt I need to be around guys
that are willing to bend their schedule around for me and I for them to help me reach my goals.
Heck, even someone to compare blood work with is a real positive reinforcement and helps keep
me on track.

Get the RIGHT peers, if you're looking to get into shape a competition trainer is probably not
going to work out that well. Also, in the world of AAS today there is far less stigma with there use,
BUT, if you have a natty partner and your on cycles there will be a time when you are just leaving that
partner behind, so it's best to get the right partner out of the gate if possible.

4) DIET, BECAUSE YOU ARE WHAT YOU ATE
Ok, for all the rest of the fat, lazy asses packing 28%+ BF (just like I was) and getting back in the game, you'll have to spend some time unfucking yourself first. Find out what you need for intake and adjust it weekly until your able to thread that needle. Sure pushing some plates around and sweating feels good,
but it does make any difference if it's followed up with three double battered deep fried mayonnaise balls.

5) HAVE A GOAL, ONE THAT'S OBTAINABLE AND SET A TIME TABLE
I went from jacked to flat in just nine months so it's easy to believe it would take nine months
to get back to where I was, huh-uh cowboys, it doesn't work like that. Look at your body like a
credit file, it takes a whole lot longer to get a better credit rating than a bad one, same thing goes for
muscle. I set a two year time limit in July 2019 to get back to where I was in 2015, it's reasonable,
obtainable and will not require much more than the normal amount of effort to achieve. I've got realistic
goals for size, weight and BF that I can measure every three months until those shirts are tight
around my arms and chest again, of course I could just buy smaller shirts but who really wants that.

Basically, if you can, have fun with it. Hopefully you're at a point in your life where you're doing this for yourself. Whether it's doing it enhanced or natty have fun with making progress and never compare yourself to anyone else. Be sure, be strong and be safe.

happy gains!