5x5 is alright, strength is coming back but that's probs the diet more than anything else. If 5x5 works really well I'll just stay on it.
Yes being leaner is way better but I spend each day bloated from all the food I eat so I don't even feel (or look) as lean as I would like to be most of the time lol. It sucks but I can't wait to get bigger and asking as it's bloat and not fat then it's not too bad.