I am slightly new to working out, but not to research and discipline.

I have not missed a day since jan 1st 2009. Only cheat on sundays.

I feel I am reaching failure on my ripptoe program, mainly chest and I am having trouble keeping form on dead. Also, having trouble getting a correct calorie intake, and feel I need to add calories to help get my numbers up. I plan to start cutting may 1st, being I am pretty lean at the moment.

thoughts and advice much appreciated, thanks in advance.

STATS:
Age 24
Height 5'6
weight 159.3 [ jan 1st - 160]
BF % 9 [measured at gym with hand pressure tool]

SQUAT 155 --> 210
BENCH 125 --> 150
DEAD 115 --> 195
STD PRS 75 --> 100
BNT ROW 110 --> 145


DIET: [ No Alcohol]
7:30 just added Atlarge Results few days ago
8:15 Workout [1.5 hours]
During Workout: 2 scoops XTEND BCAA’s
9:45 Post Workout:
Nitrean with 8oz whole milk
banana
8oz chocolate milk

11:15 Meal 1:
• Tyson chicken breast [5-8oz]
• 1 cup broccoli
• Oatmeal [3 parts]
1. Low Sugar Apples & Cinnamon Oatmeal packet
2. ½ cup rap oats
3. ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ Grapefruit

1:00 • 1 scoop Nitrean with 8oz whole milk

3:00 • Tyson boneless skinless Chicken breast [5-8oz]
• 8oz whole milk
• 1 ½ cups broccoli with cheese
• Oatmeal- [3 parts]
¬1. Low Sugar Apples & Cinnamon Oatmeal packet
2. ½ cup rap oats
3. ½ cup whole milk
• 1 TBL spoon natural peanut butter [Smuckers]

5:00 • 1 scoop Nitrean with 8oz whole milk

8:30 • Tyson boneless skinless Chicken breast [5-8oz]
• 1 ½ cups broccoli with cheese
• 1 TBL spoon natural peanut butter [Smuckers]

11:15 •2 TBL spoons cottage cheese
• 1 TBL spoon natural peanut butter [Sumckers]

11:30 Sleep

I'm not clear on your question? Is it more diet or training related?

Diet...

I would like to know what I can add to my diet so I stop reaching failure every workout.

You are most likely under-eating as you suspect. Bump your calories by 300 per day and see what happens. If that does nothing, or you gain and then plateau again, add another 300 and so on. You will also need to vary your routine at some point.

There's nothing you can add to your diet to prevent you from reaching 'failure'.

Either you're going to 'failure' or you're not.

This is determined by the amount of weight you lift x certain amount of reps x number of sets (which could be 1, on up to many).

The diet might add more muscle or give you more fuel to perform....

But regardless of the amount of muscle you have..or endurance capability...or fuel to perform exes, the decision to go to failure is ultimately determined by the methods you decide to use that day.

There's nothing you can add to your diet to prevent you from reaching 'failure'.

Either you're going to 'failure' or you're not.

This is determined by the amount of weight you lift x certain amount of reps x number of sets (which could be 1, on up to many).

The diet might add more muscle or give you more fuel to perform....

But regardless of the amount of muscle you have..or endurance capability...or fuel to perform exes, the decision to go to failure is ultimately determined by the methods you decide to use that day.

You may have a misunderstanding of my question.

I do not workout until failure! I perform a 3x5 routine only! No extra!
I have been adding 5 pound to each workout per week for 12 weeks. I am still lacking muscle in my upper body[chest]. Also recently I started to break form and barley can finish my squat reps, but manage to.

I feel with added calories to my diet, I will be able to pull through these numbers and achieve the goal I set out to have, STRONG!


Thanks in advance,

Definitely take Mr. Mason's advice.

If, after a week or two, you are still struggling, you may need to add a recovery week and/or change up your routine in other ways.