k, for those of you who don't know my story...

started working out again after about a 2 year layoff. been lifting now for about 4 months total. put on a good 30lbs since i started again, but i've overtrained twice so far cause of pushing myself way too hard and jumping into things way too quick.

i was just used to such a high intensity level back in the day when i did gear that to me right now, i don't feel i'm giving it my all. i keep taking for granted though that without the gear, my body just can't handle it and that it's only been 4 months and that after such a long layoff, it's going to take time for my body to be able to handle the high-intensity workouts i was used to.

i'm only weighing in at 190lb right now at about 5'10 and 12%bf. i used to weight about 230-240lb at about 10-12%bf back before i stopped lifting (see avy). though i've progressed quite a bit since i've been lifting again, i'm still a long ways away from what i used to be.

just wondering how much longer you guys think i should wait to start a cycle? i don't want to start one too soon and shortchange myself in the long run by having the gear give me results i could've gotten myself. on the other hand, my body is having a very hard time handling my workouts and the excessive soreness is killing me. i'm only 28, but my body definitely can't recuperate like it used to anymore and it's becoming quite frustrating.

i know there are many things to take into account here, but in a very rough gestimation, just wanted to see what you guys thought as far as how much longer i should hold off?