After the lovely welcome I got when looking into 5x5 before, I am back!
You likely won't remember my 'quick' drop in, but I'd managed to join a gym that didn't have free weights - so was using machines.

Well, I'm off to join a different gym tomorrow and can't wait! Enjoyed my time (short) at my current gym and have the new gym fear factor in my head at the moment but it's going to fit what I want much better.

I've been lifting dumbbells as well as using pulleys and machines for the last few weeks. Seeing improvements so fingers x'd can see improvements in the free weights.

I have set myself a mini - goal to compete in a strength event on 2nd December, don't expect much just a good starting point goal. It's a single lift or you can do a 'total' of three lifts (squat, press and deadlift) so works well with 5x5 goals.

Body wise I'd like to lose bodyfat and gain muscle, but for now and the goal I think I'll have to tweak my calories up (again), I was eating 1200, but have gone up to 1590 and still maintaining my weight unless I eat really unclean and that goes after a few days. lol So, need to work out my cal's and get in that protein supplement. I've up'd my protein in what I eat, but it's still only around the 80g mark which isn't enough.

Look forward to being part of the group.