42-yo male, went from 3x5 on squats to suddenly 2/1/1. Nearing end of LP?

[Jedi Lifter]

Brent,

Good afternoon and thanks for your help. I believe that I'm nearing the end of my LP, but my main question is why I am suddenly missing a lot of reps on my squat. I have steadily added 5 lbs per workout with no missed lifts until Friday, when I went 2/1/1 at 325. I figured resting over the weekend would help, but again this morning I went 2/1/2 at the same weight.

- 42 y/o male, 5'9", 213, ~20% BF. I am trying to eat 15% over TDEE on M/W/F (training days), 15% below TDEE Tu/Th/Sa/Su as I am a Marine Reservist and can't afford to pack on too much BF. I am 27 lbs over my max weight, which I don't care about, but need to keep BF <=20% (by neck/waist measurement) in order to remain in standards.
- Just started week 12 of novice LP
- Lift alone in my garage at about 5 AM on a banana and coffee

Squat - started at 165, last 3x5 at 320. Last Friday went 2/1/1 at 325, went 2/1/2 at 325 this morning
Bench - started at 115, now 3x5 at 255, bar speed starting to come down but still strong
Deadlift - started (too conservatively) at 185, now 1x5 @ 325 and feeling great about it
Press - started at 105, last 3x5 was at 165. Stalled a bit before, got 3x5 at 165, went 5/4/2 at 170 this morning
Barbell row - started at 135, now 3x5 @ 220

When I look at the Three Questions, the first thing I see is that yes, I could be eating more, but I have to think of BF. I'm doing better on my sleep - about 7-8 hrs/night. I am resting 3 minutes between sets when I get my 5 reps, but resting 5-7 minutes if I miss reps. I have added 5 lbs per workout on every exercise except deadlift (10lbs, then 5lbs, generally). No unusual life stresses. I have 0.5lb fractional plates.

- Should I eat more, deload 20% or so, and reattack?
- Should I consider making Wednesday a light day as shown in PP for the "well-executed novice linear progression?" I am VERY close to the example shown. Looks like he started light Wednesdays in week 8.

Thank you for any advice you have!

[Brent Carter]

Don't get too wrapped up in matching the numbers from PP. It's just an example.

If you have not tried a reset I would go with that. Take 20% off or so and give yourself about a week and a half to build back up to 325. Start taking a light day midweek after the first week of deload and continue taking a lighter day midweek through end of novice LP.

[Jedi Lifter]

It just so happened that our numbers were so close. Totally unintentional!

Thank you for the help. I'm looking forward to deloading a bit & getting some solid 3x5s.

[Brent Carter]

Let us know how it goes!

[Jedi Lifter]

Yesterday morning I did 3x5 @ 260 with no issues. Thought it was funny to bench 3x5 @ 260 right afterwards... maybe that says something about my relative strengths & weaknesses!

Yesterday was the first day I replaced barbell rows with weighted chins - 3x8 @ 45. Felt good to do those again. Will keep deadlift on Workout A, and alternate rows & weighted chins on Workout B.

Current goal is to join the "1000 Pound Club" at the base gym, just because.