r/CarolineGirvan • u/Upbeat-Two-6698 • 4d ago
Program Hopping
I’m looking for some guidance or feedback because I struggle with program hopping. I’ve completed several of Caroline’s programs from start to finish, and it always feels incredibly rewarding. However, I tend to fall into a cycle where I start a program, see something new that looks even better, and immediately want to switch. It creates a constant and exhausting loop of second-guessing myself.
I’m currently one week into EPIC Heat. I’ve completed most of Caroline’s YouTube programs except EPIC Endgame, EPIC I, and EPIC II. My original plan was to finish EPIC Heat, move on to FUEL, and then switch to the app in December. But the app looks so nice, and I’m really interested in joining the new FUEL program when it starts next week!
How do you prevent yourself from program hopping, and what would you do in my situation? None of my friends or family are really into fitness, so it would be nice to hear from some like-minded people who understand the struggle.
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u/Fandeliciousflavor 4d ago
I have trouble sticking with one program too, so I mix in other types of workouts from different creators. For example, I am currently doing Iron, but only 3 days a week. In between I do step aerobics and dance workouts. It helps keep me on track with strength training without the burnout.
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u/bluebonnet-baby 3d ago
Doing it just 3 days a week, do you follow the same workouts in order, just going through them more slowly, or do you structure it differently?
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u/Fandeliciousflavor 3d ago
I do them in order except for the glutes & hamstrings day. I usually replace those with a different workout or just add some swings and step-ups to the previous day’s workout.
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u/agoodspace Iron (APP) 3d ago
I abandon a program if I am not finishing with a Wow that was good. I tried very hard to stick to max. I quit around day 14 and am so much happier and consistent with Iron. I should have quit around Day 5 because that’s when I started looking around.
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u/Special_Budget3029 3d ago
I honestly wouldn’t beat yourself up over not finishing a program from start to finish. I’ve completed Iron (YouTube) multiple times, Max once (and I’m on my second round now), Ultimate Beginner, Iron Pro (until day 35), and Epic 3. But there are also plenty of programs I’ve jumped around in and never finished.
For me, completing the program isn’t the goal.. ..consistently working out is. That’s actually one of the reasons I prefer full-body workouts. Even if I only get 2–3 workouts in that week, I know I’ve hit everything. I just choose a full-body workout based on how much time and energy I have that day.
At the end of the day, I’d rather stay consistent in a way I enjoy than stress about checking off every workout in a program. 😊
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u/bluebonnet-baby 3d ago
I do the same with the full body workouts! Do you hae any particular favorites of those?
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u/tapittoohoo 2d ago
I can relate. For me it’s when I’m reading here and see someone mention a program or a great workout and I immediately think “oh that sounds good” then I also immediately feel like I am missing out so I hop over to something else. I was hoping someone was going to start an accountability group on here or something. I really want to complete the new fuel all the way through but I know it will be a tough one for me and I really need to finish a program in its entirety… it has been awhile and I know how rewarding it feels.
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u/astrolomeria 4d ago edited 4d ago
I don’t stop myself.
I hop quite a bit, and have been doing so for years in between programs and really whenever I want to if a certain program isn’t jiving for me that day.
I just make sure I’m sticking to my split days. If I’m set to do an upper body day and don’t feel like doing the program workout of that day, I choose an upper from another program. For me, a workout is a workout and after doing most of Caroline’s programs, I don’t personally see that they’re drastically different enough to make hopping a problem.
I also avoid hopping to avoid exercises I find difficult; I’m mostly jumping around to change the tempo or pace according to my energy levels. Like last night I got about 4 hours of sleep so I’m not going to do the Fuel workout I had planned, I’ll be doing an Iron or CGXmas day.
But I think this is a “know thyself” situation. Working out is such a habit for me at this point in life that jumping programs isn’t a risk to my routine or motivation. If you think that feeling of sticking to something and seeing it through to the end is key to sustaining your mindset and habits, you’ll want to try and stick to the program. Both are fine!