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I hear you. FWIW, I keep a logbook of weight, sets, and reps. I'm regimented in that aspect-do the same thing every week and either go up in reps and/or weight if I'm comfortable enough.

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That's different than a program though. With a program you have specific things already laid out each day.

But it is good to keep a log. I can tell you exactly what I did dating back many years.

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Just so we're on the same page, I am doing specific exercises in a specific order. It is a program in the sense that everything is very regimented, but it's something I created so it's far from optimal and obviously not proven. I get that, and I'm ok with that since I enjoy doing it. As someone stated earlier in the thread, I may just get good at exercising, but I'll certainly see results as long as I do it faithfully. I've already adjusted my diet accordingly and have seen results I'm pleased with. I would like to stick with what I'm doing for at least 6 months and then re-evaluate. Again, I appreciate your feedback and encouragement along the way.

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Just so we're on the same page, I am doing specific exercises in a specific order. It is a program in the sense that everything is very regimented, but it's something I created so it's far from optimal and obviously not proven. I get that, and I'm ok with that since I enjoy doing it. As someone stated earlier in the thread, I may just get good at exercising, but I'll certainly see results as long as I do it faithfully. I've already adjusted my diet accordingly and have seen results I'm pleased with. I would like to stick with what I'm doing for at least 6 months and then re-evaluate. Again, I appreciate your feedback and encouragement along the way.

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Here is me deadlifting 510#s. Do I look huge? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LI8URXITlE

And here is what Rippetoe has to say about things.

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Lunk alarm!Seriously...how you doin'?

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Another week down. I weigh myself every day although I'm not really aiming for a particular number. I can notice a difference in the mirror- less bloat, some muscle definition, etc.

Exercises are going well. I've still been able to increase weight each week on most exercises, or at least add a few reps which is still progress. I'm still fine tuning my workout plan, but it's come a long way since what I first presented.

I've never been able to do a true pull-up but I'm sure getting close this time around. I'm a believer in the controlled negatives. I'm seeing a lot of progress in just a few short sessions.

Squats are bit difficult for me as my hamstrings are TIGHT. I don't have the range of motion I hoped right now, but I'll keep at them and keep stretching to avoid injury and attain proper form.

My only other significant problem I can think of is lower back pain while doing any overhead press style workout. I do my best to maintain a straight posture and even without arching my lower back, I still feel a lot of discomfort which then lingers for a few days afterward. I've done them standing and sitting with the same results. However, I didn't have back support on the bench I used, so that might change things. I just don't want to decrease weight and not work my shoulders as well because of the pain, but that might be the route I have to go. Thanks for reading.

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Are you taking a deep breath and flexing your core during your shoulder press?

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Battling a cold this week, but I've decided to continue exercising since I'm still not lifting heavier weight just yet. Here's a glimpse at what I've chosen to do. Again my focus is on overall health, building stamina, etc. Lifting heavy weight and focusing on increasing my one rep max isn't my mainstay at this point in my life. All weighted exercises are done with adjustable dumbbells as that's all that is available to me. I've also opted for Fat Gripz on the Ironmaster dumbbells I have. At first I thought it was just a marketing scheme, but I'm a believer so far. Great forearm workout and really improves grip strength. All weightlifting days include 15 minutes of uphill treadmill walking at the end of the workout. I'm aiming for 8-12 repetitions on my heaviest weight sets. I start at about 60% for warm up for one set then move to desired weight.

Day 1- Bench Press, Incline Press, Decline Press, Tricep Kickback
Day 2- Squats, Lunges, Step Ups, Sumo Squats, and Calf Raises
Day 3- Weighted Crunches, Standing Side Crunches, Increased Cardio Workout
Day 4- Deadlift, Dumbbell Pullover, Chin-ups and Pull-ups, Bent Row, and Bicep Curl
Day 5- Shoulder Press, Upright Row, Underhand Press, Dumbbell Shrugs, Dumbbell Front and Lateral Raises
Day 6- 30 minute uphill treadmill walking
Day 7- Rest

I'm planning to following this for 6 weeks until my body becomes accustomed to working out again. Muscle soreness is always an issue for me when I first start a workout regiment. After 6 weeks, I'm hoping to switch to 6 days of weightlifting and 1 day cardio. I'll keep the crucial exercises as my main point of focus, get rid of ab day, and switch out accessory workouts every other time. Example:

Day 1- Bench Press, Incline Press, Decline Press, Dips, Tricep Kickback
Day 2- Remains the same as leg day above
Day 3-Deadlift, Bent Row, Chin-ups, Bicep Curl, Shoulder Press, Upright Row, Lateral Raises
Day 4- Bench Press, Inlcine Press, Decline Press, Partial Chest Flies, Weighted Crunches
Day 5- Repeat  Day 2
Day 6- Deadlift, Bent Row, Pull-ups, Shoulder Press, Upright Row, Dumbbell Shrug
Day 7- HIIT cardio

The second phase may need some adjusting, but I'm content with the first phase thus far. Maintain diet below(simplified to the max):

Breakfast- eggs, protein shake, fruit
Protein snack
Lunch- meat, vegetables
Protein snack
Dinner- meat, vegetables
Workout followed by post-workout snack
Protein shake before bed

Diet is a stumbling point for me mainly because of access to food during work. Depending on the day I may not have time to eat for 6+ hours at a time. Thankfully that's somewhat rare. Thanks for reading and will continue to report back.

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And I also wonder if you're leaning back and trying to activate the chest.  Stay strict with it, no bending of the back, no leaning, lighten up the weight and do strict press.

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Here is me deadlifting 510#s. Do I look huge? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LI8URXITlE

And here is what Rippetoe has to say about things.

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Nice pull!

you've "toned up" nicely!

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To hop on the pick a solid program and do it wagon.

I started lifting as a total noob not quite a year and a half ago.  
I was mentored by a bro who had me doing everything like you are describing.  
He was quite upset when I decided that I had wasted two months on going nowhere and abandoned his technique to adopt strong lifts.  

I have been amazed by my progress and I am starting to like what I see in the mirror.  

You do you but I would like to add one more vote to picking a proven program and run it.  
Best wishes and good luck with your fitness journey.

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To hop on the pick a solid program and do it wagon.

I started lifting as a total noob not quite a year and a half ago.  
I was mentored by a bro who had me doing everything like you are describing.  
He was quite upset when I decided that I had wasted two months on going nowhere and abandoned his technique to adopt strong lifts.  

I have been amazed by my progress and I am starting to like what I see in the mirror.  

You do you but I would like to add one more vote to picking a proven program and run it.

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Time to start thinking about replacing my barbell. It came with the weightset and is only rated to 300lbs. Frankly, I don't want to be getting too close to that number on it and cause myself injury if something goes south. I've heard great things about Rogue (their Rogue 2.0 and Ohio bar). Any feedback for general lifting?

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Rogue makes great bars. I have the Ohio powerbar and love it. It is really stiff and the knurling is perfect. I wouldn't recommend that particular bar if you are going to do Olympic lifts with it.  Other guys here have various rogue bars and can comment on those. The website describes their stuff accurately though, so just read up on them and see which one fits your needs.

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All of my other exercises are going well except shoulders. They're giving me a lot of pain on all exercises I try for them. Thinking of really backing off on the weight and starting slow again or ditching the shoulder specific exercises altogether. How terrible would that be?

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I think that would be a fantastic idea, as long as you aren't talking about pressing. You don't need body part specific exercises at this point.

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That and what you said about the squats bothering your knees makes me think you have some issue with your form you just need to fix.

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I think you're right- just can't pin point it. The squats I think there is definitely room for improvement in form. I would think it's hard to mess up and OHP, but hey, leave it to me to do so.

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Thanks for the suggestions. Will probably end up going 2.0 or Ohio. I finally hit a plateau with my exercises. I'm convinced it's due to stress and lack of sleep. I have 3 children under 4 (one of which is 4 months old) and we just added a puppy into the mix this weekend. Needless to say, my house is chaos 90% of the time. Once the puppy isn't crying all night and I get back on track with sleep, I'm hoping things pick up from how they once were.

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Need some input here. Energy wise, I do well on all my workout days except the day that's primarily legs. Halfway through my workout, I get signs of hypoglycemia  that seems to resolve with time and relaxation. The rest of my exercises are then very difficult and sluggish. Do others have this problem? Is there a remedy as far as simple sugar drinks to sip on during the workout perhaps? I try to go carb heavy on those days prior to the workout by apparently isn't effective.

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Tell us more about your eating habits and the timeing thereof on leg day.