Kaiser,
Just read through your log. Congrats on getting back into the game. Keep pushing and you will reach your goals. At our age, I’m very close to 37, the body does take a bit longer to respond and recover. I would try not to compare too much to the past, looking back is usually not a good thing. I’ve fallen victim to that in the past. Like when you are on the bike, if you are looking back you won’t make it to your destination without crashing.
I am very similar in that when I gain any weight, it goes right to my waist and those lumps in your shirt have a familiar look. Have no fear, the lumps will disappear.
I completed the BOM Intermediate program in July with some great success. One difference, I bulked during Stage 2 and part of 3. The program does progress into some heavy lifting and for me a bulk was in order. While your goals are different, the program will add some mass, which as you know will burns more cals. I have the spreadsheets for the rest of the program if you are interested I can e-mail them.
Good luck, you have inspired me to keep working hard.