No fear
I love progression players.
Anytime someone plays a negative EV game that involves varying their bets, it is great for a true AP.
I'll even allow that a progression could work if you open your definition a bit and allow the progression to be based on something other than whether you win or lose the prior hand. The following "progressions" should reduce your rate of loss versus flat betting the same level of total action:
Option #1 (single deck only):
Bet 20 units whenever the prior hand had more than X cards dealt (X is the number of players + dealer multiplied by 4). Bet 1 unit at all other times. So if you have 4 players + dealer, then X is 20, and if you see more than 20 cards on the table, raise your bet for the next hand.
Option #2 (any number of decks):
Bet 20 units whenever the pit boss comes by to update your average bet in the system. Bet 1 unit all other times. You will still lose with this one, but might make it up on comps.
Option #3 (again, SD only):
Bet 20 units whenever you don't see a single face card or ace on the table in the prior hand. Bet 1 unit all other times.
All of these options also have the added benefit of working better at a full table, so no need to worry about avoiding crowded conditions. You can also combine the three options above to make one super-duper powerful progression.