Stronglifts, when to switch to 3x5, when to microload?
TL;DR when should I switch to 3x5 and when should i go in smaller increments than 5lbs/workout.
Here's the longer verson:
I'm 45yo and have been overweight and primarily focusing on fat loss. I started strong lifts in Feb 2019 and went until Dec 2019 and while I didn't lose a ton of weight I felt so much stronger. At the end of 2019 I had a set back and got sick and then in 2020 with COVID I stopped working out since gyms were closed. in Sept I started back again with strong lifts from scratch. I've also been doing intermittent fasting which has allowed me to lose weight while doing stronglifts. Here's where I am now after 3 months going 2xs per week:
Squat: 195
BP: 115
Row:120
OHP: 90
DL: 215
The first time around I struggled with the BP around this same weight level along with the OHP. I can see with the BP I'm about to do my 3rd attempt at that weight. The 2nd attempt I did 3x5 but couldn't do 5 reps on the last 2 sets. Since I know I hit a wall last time. Also the first time around since I'd never done barbell weights I ended doing deloads on everything since I was cheating on my form. I guess my question is should I use my prior attempt at SL as a guide and start either microloading or deloading when I hit the same weights I struggled with last time around? Thanks.