Any suggestions on what I should be doing?

[Maximiliani]

Hi I'm currently on an altered Stronglifts 5 x 5 plan, that I altered a bit to have less reps, or at least was told to up weights even more and just do 3 x 5. I think I've been seeing good results but I don't know what I should aim to do now.

I've attached pictures of me May of last year, last Summer then January this year and then a current picture

My diet has not been perfect. I'm trying now to do some swimming as well starting up today as well as my weight training.

Wondering what I should focus on, I was told I didn't have many changes at all by another weight lifting forum from January until now, despite me noticing some changes. I think if I add the swimming and watch my diet a bit better (no more sweets) then I'll be on a good route? I'm just looking to look good, I don't think I'm very acceptable currently.

 

[Typhon]

To be honest I agree with the people on the other forum, it doesn't look like you've made much progress from those pics.

I'd suggest that by changing your routine to a 3x5 you've lowered the total reps too low. There's nothing wrong with lowering the rep range and increasing weight but you should then increase sets to get in the volume needed to stimulate adaptation.

It's 5x5 for a reason, it totals 25 reps which most believe to be around the optimal mark for a mix of strength and hypertrophy gains.

If you were doing only 2 or 3 rep sets then maybe 15 would be enough reps but 5 is a little high to be doing so little volume.

Oh, and the diet is the most important thing of all, training with a ****ty diet is like trying to build your house on the sand. What is your eating plan going to look like?