01/20/2023
Progress is not linear and consists of many things. It is an up and down wave that is hopefully trending in the right direction. It is more than just a number on a scale moving up or down.
So do we actually measure it in a way that is not just a number on the scale? Well, here are a few ways, other than just tracking weight, to see whether the hard work you are doing both in and out of the gym is trending towards the results you want.
Lifestyle Changes
A great place to start. What are you doing now that a prior version of you had never dreamt of or thought of doing? Going to the gym a few times a week, eating more veggies, drinking more water, prioritizing sleep, etc. are all forms of progress because you are doing more to move the needle towards your goals than you had been doing previously.
Clothing Fit/Progress Pics
A great tangible way to view progress. Take progress pictures every few weeks to see how far you have come. We often are unable to see day to day change, but comparing ourselves to a past version will most likely show some form of change. Try on clothes that you used to wear. Do they fit differently in the way you had hoped? Boom. Progress.
Energy Levels
How do you feel day to day? Do you find yourself with a bit more energy than you once had? While it might not be physical progress in a sense, this metric means that what you are doing is working and your body is responding positively to exercise.
Technique
The first “in the gym” metric that we like to look at. “Are you getting better at lifts?” is the question at hand. If you find yourself moving a bit easier, especially with things like squats, lunges, and deadlifts, then the answer is most likely yes, you are making progress.
Strength
This goes hand in hand with #4. Are you able to do more weight this month than you were able to lift last month? Are day to day tasks (like picking up kids, groceries, etc) becoming easier? If the answer is yes, you are making progress.
Moral of the story here, progress is multifaceted. While weight is one great way to track progress, it is not the only way. So before you find yourself frustrated that the number on the scale has not changed, look for other ways progress has be