Competing? Decisions... Decisions

I was planning to compete again in 2016. The last time I competed was 2014 where I won overall in both shows so I’m in my longest off season since I started competing.
My concerns at this time are I can no longer lift as heavy as I used to therefore I’m afraid I haven’t improved my physique and the last thing I want to do is not look better then I did last time I was on stage.

Another thing I ask myself is why can’t I just lean out and I be the judge of how I look vs spending all the money you do for a comp to be judged and have 5 min. on stage? don’t get me wrong…I love competing and comparing myself from my pics from my last shows…I’m not trying to be negative just indecisive right now.