Big S,
Slow down, relax, you need to be patient, and above all quit beating yourself up! How old are you? And how long have you been training? If your a relative Newbie, you need a simple structured program, and where you have support from a training partner, or other gym members. This is a GREAT ACTIVITY, but it can be tough to make progress if you train by yourself, so support is important. One other thing DON`T LABEL yourself a Hardgainer!You just don`t have it figured out yet! Again you need structure so here`s my recommendation for a program:
1. Pushing movements Monday & Thurs
2. Pulling movements Tues & Fri
3. Legs Sat
If you can`t work out on Sat, replace one Pulling or Pushing day with legs. not counting your warmup sets, which you should do for each exercise maybe something on the order of 5 sets of 5 reps, with the same weight, per exercise. You go up in weight, ( 5 lb jumps),only after you achieve the 5 sets of 5 reps, I know P-Funk is an advocate of 3 sets of 5 reps. I think you can do this set/rep scheme for all exercises except Deadlifts.
For DL`s keep your reps down to 2 reps and do 5 to 7 sets, ( with the same weight).
Your pushing days do Benchs, Inclines, & some kind of Dipping exercise where your hitting your Tri`s, Anterior Delt, & Pecs,that`s it. Next pushing day do Military Presses, sit down side laterals, & shrugs.
Your pulling days try Bent over Barbell Rows, One arms dumbell rows ,& Lat pull downs, next pulling day try Deadlifts, & maybe Lat Pulldowns.
Legs: Squat, Squat, Squat.
If your a newbie, there are no shortcuts, emphasize protein, with a good whey powder for a suppliment, I know I`ll get racked over the coals for this one, but stay away from stuff like creatine, you gotta pay your dues, in and out of the gym, its a journey, enjoy and have fun!, But you gotta work at it!
Make sure you use a belt, straps, and chalk!
Big Back 51