Wait, can you give us more info on what happend during the SS.
You said you were on it an entire year yet didn't gain weight. Are you saying you didn't get any stronger? Is your maximums for you major three (or four) significantly higher? Did you stay on it an entire year with no progression in load?
SS is a strength program. There is a good mix of strength and mass for most beginners since strength and mass are intimantly related but primary strength gains can be mostly neural improvements. If you actually got stronger, at least for a while, then it 'stimulated your muscles' it's just that there are different ways to stimulate the muscular system, or there are different adapations. But for someone to do it a year and not gain any mass at all, that is highly unusual.
Do you know if there were changes in body composition? Did you trade fat for muscle?
Any and all info might help. And even if it doesn't help you it can help the advise givers add to their store of observations and experience so we can give better advice. I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to give us a rundown and answer the questions I put forth, and whatever else someone might think of. Call it a give and take
I know from past experience that you are good about doing this.
Obviously diet is important and Pity has that covered. But you gotta think that the program is very telling as you go along in terms of diet. For instance, if you simply weren't eating enough you would fail to make consistent progress...to say nothing of gaing fat or any of that.
I remember you reported it was going good once or twice. But also that you were concerned about not gaining any fat..which perhaps could be telling in terms of dietary habits. Also you had some knee problems?