Hey,
I need to confess something embarrassing.
For 8 months straight, I switched workout programs every single week. Monday I'd start push/pull/legs. Next Monday it was Starting Strength. The week after? Some random YouTube routine.
My bench press stayed at 40kg while my gym buddy hit 65kg doing the same basic routine for months.
Today I'm sharing exactly what this cost me, the moment everything clicked, and the simple rule that finally got me consistent gains.
(Plus, I found three resources this week that would've saved me months of spinning my wheels...)
What I'm Reading This Week:
📖 "The Muscle Building Hierarchy" by Eric Helms** - Breaks down what actually matters for gains (spoiler: program choice is way lower than you think). The consistency chapter would've saved me 6 months.
🎯 "Why Progressive Overload Fails" Article - Found this on PubMed. Turns out 67% of lifters don't track their workouts properly. No wonder program hopping feels necessary when you can't see if anything's working.
📱 Jefit App - Started using this to track my workouts. Having actual data makes it impossible to justify switching programs when you can see the slow but steady progress.
The theme? Consistency and tracking beat perfect programming every time.
Speaking of consistency
If you're tired of guessing what's working in your training, I'm putting together a simple tracking system that takes 30 seconds per workout.
No complicated spreadsheets. Just the essential metrics that actually predict muscle growth.
Interested? Reply with "TRACK" and I'll send you early access when it's ready.
The Program Hopper's Confession
Here's what was really happening in my brain during those 8 chaotic months:
Monday: "This push/pull/legs split is going to be incredible."
Wednesday: Saw some fitness influencer posting about a "revolutionary" approach.
Thursday: Convinced myself my current program was trash.
Friday: Spent hours researching the "perfect" program for next week.
I thought I was being smart. Optimizing. Finding the best approach.
I was actually sabotaging myself.
The Real Cost
While I was bouncing between programs like a pinball, here's what happened:
My bench press stayed stuck at 40kg for months. I never learned proper form because I kept switching exercises. I had zero baseline to measure progress. My body never adapted to anything because nothing lasted long enough.
Meanwhile, my gym buddy - who wasn't as "smart" as me - stuck with basic push/pull/legs for 6 months straight. His bench went from 35kg to 65kg.
That hurt.
The Turning Point
Month 9, I finally got honest with myself.
I wasn't program hopping because I found better options. I was doing it because I was impatient. Every program felt "slow" after a week because I expected overnight results.
The hard truth? There is no perfect program. There's only consistent execution.
What Actually Changed Everything
After 3 months of sticking to ONE program (shocking, I know), everything shifted:
Bench press jumped from 40kg to 55kg. I actually understood what progressive overload meant. Form improved because I practiced the same movements repeatedly. I could track what was working and what wasn't.
The program wasn't magic. The consistency was.
If You're Still Hopping
Look, I get it. That new program looks amazing. The creator has impressive results. The science seems solid.
But here's what I wish someone told me: The best program is the one you'll stick to for 3+ months.
Not the most optimal. Not the most advanced. Not the one with the best marketing. The one you'll actually follow.
Pick a program. Any decent program. Commit to it for 12 weeks minimum.
When you see that shiny new routine next week (and you will), bookmark it for later. Don't switch.
How I Can Help:
- Reply to this email with your biggest training question - I read and respond to every one.
- Get the basics right - Check out my free form guide at [website link]
Next Week: I'm breaking down exactly how to pick a program you'll actually stick to (hint: it's not about finding the "perfect" one).
What's the longest you've stuck with one program? Hit reply and let me know. I'm genuinely curious if I was the only one this stubborn about being inconsistent.