... with respiratory illness for almost two weeks, which threw my weightlifting routine completely off. I've been lifting since November 29, 2004, and I'd worked my way up to two sets of 12 doing some free weights but mostly circuit training. Now that I'm not sick, I followed the gym employee's advice and went back down to 2 sets of 8 with the same weight. This was on Monday, and it felt like I didn't accomplish squat (pardon the expression). This is Wednesday, and I tried two sets of 10, but I kept coughing and couldn't get air in my lungs, although I'm not sick anymore. It will take me at least several weeks to work back up to my two sets of 12, won't it?

(It should be of note that I am on weight maintenance. I have found that I prefer to increase the weight very gradually and stay at two sets of 12. Because of my seizure disorder, I'm reluctant to add additional sets - at least for the time being.)