Xert keeps asking for more and more training time

Yes, that’s true especially if you start off at 3 hours per week to ensure a progression. :smiley:

You are at a distinct disadvantage here being a newbie-newbie. :slight_smile:
My onboarding topic for new users assumes they have experience with structured training and are ready and willing to try something new and different.
Core principles are the same but day-to-day execution is decidedly not anchored on traditional plan logic such as 3/1 blocks. That’s where TR’s “automatic” recovery week comes from which mimics their original canned plans.
What protocol/philosophy you prefer also influences the direction you can take.
You haven’t the experience to determine what those preferences are yet.

XATA Continuous is a perpetual build phase under your control (DIY). I don’t think that’s for you at this stage in your cycling journey. You’re in a just-tell-me-what-to-do phase.
As @wescaine suggests try setting up an XFAI plan instead. E.g. a Goal program to increase your 6 or 8-minute power by X watts with a target date 60 days out.
That will provide you with a mapped-out course to follow for ~9 weeks.
When running a forecast note the predicted changes to signature and TL values before saving the plan. If your weekly hours will remain static, make sure the forecast includes a progression in high/peak values during the term. While you can improve fitness by simply riding consistently week to week, the most gains will come from a rise in one value or another.
As the weeks progress you can shoot for BTs periodically on HIT days to confirm how you’re doing. To improve those results, consider including some tempo work on LIT days to employ the time-crunched protocol known as sweet spot training. No, Xert won’t tell you to do that. :wink:

Sweet Spot, Threshold and Polarized Training … By the Numbers – Xert Breakthrough Training