Hello Yaeger1,
you mustn't loose your motivation because the Atlas system is one of the best for overall development, strength and health and it really works!
I'm 39 yo, I'm working out since 12 yo with every kind of training (jogging, body building with weights, chest expanders, bullworker, etc) and for the last 3 years I am using the Atlas system. The gains? The most symmetrical development of all my life, a great health - I am feeling better now than when I was 29 (of course then I was smoking 50+ cigarettes per day and now I have quit it...) - and last but not least I am stronger now than ever before!
When I was younger and doing bodybuilding I was able to do about 15 chin ups max and now I am doing 25+. I'm not only stronger, I have better endurance too.
Well, back to you now
I think the secret is to put pep on your exercises, as Atlas says. When you are lifting weights, although you can cheat a little, in the end of the day you have to lift so many kilos. But when you are putting one muscle against the other, it's a totally different approach.
For example at the 3rd or 5th exercise of the 1st lesson you can just swing your arms up and down or left and right. This way you will not see much results. You must offer considerable resistance with the other hand. When you are pulling your hand down, press vigorous with the other hand upwards. When you push to the left with your right hand, resist with strength with the other. Don't harry them, do them slowly. Put so much power so at the end of the 12th repetition (unless it says another number) you will feel tired - not strained - but tired enough.
I think that's the secret that will offer you great results with the Atlas course.
If you need more help, you can give us more info about yourself, as how old are you, did you exercise in the past, how many dips are you doing etc
Don't loose your faith, Atlas system works and you will find the way to achieve the gains you want.