Tracking Progress: How to Measure Success Beyond the Scale

Sponsored by

Brother,

I’m going to say something that might tick you off:
The bathroom scale is lying to you.

It’s not that the number is wrong… it’s that it’s incomplete.

If you’re lifting heavy, eating right, and pushing yourself — the scale might stay the same, even while your body completely changes shape.

I’ve seen guys gain 5 pounds on the scale… yet lose 2 inches off their waist and look like they dropped 10 years off their age.

That’s why in my 12 Week Aesthetic Body Blueprint, we don’t obsess over the scale — we track real progress.

1. Photos Tell the Truth

Your eyes will always see the changes before the numbers do.

Take progress pictures every 2–4 weeks. Same lighting, same angle, same time of day.
You’ll see:

• Shoulders rounding out

• Waist tightening

• Muscle definition showing where there used to be softness

It’s the fastest way to stay motivated when the scale is being a jerk.

(In my Blueprint, I give you a simple system to take and analyze these photos — so you can literally watch your transformation happen.)

2. Measurements Don’t Lie

Grab a tape measure. Track:

• Chest

• Arms

• Waist

• Hips

• Thighs

Why? Because if your waist is shrinking while your arms or chest are growing, you’re recomping — building muscle and losing fat at the same time.
That’s the gold standard.

A nutrition plan designed uniquely for you

Tired of diet plans that don't consider your unique lifestyle or health needs? Real, lasting change comes from a strategy tailored specifically to you. 

That’s why Fay connects you with a professional Registered Dietitian for true 1-on-1 coaching.

Your dietitian will work with you to create a sustainable plan that aligns with your personal health goals, whether you're managing a condition like PCOS or just want to feel your best. They consider your preferences and routines to design a strategy that actually works, using clinically proven methods like meal planning and journaling. 

It’s time to stop guessing and start getting guidance that’s 100% personalized.

Find Your Dietitian Now

3. Strength Gains Are Progress Too

If you’re lifting more weight, for more reps, with better form — you’re getting better. Period.

• Last month: Bench press 135 for 8 reps

• This month: 155 for 8 reps

That’s muscle growth in action. The scale can’t measure that — but your mirror and your shirts will.

4. Energy & Recovery Are Hidden Metrics

When your sleep improves, your energy during the day climbs, and you’re recovering faster between sessions — your body is adapting in the right direction.

A lot of guys don’t realize: better recovery = more training output = faster results.
It’s why I bake recovery protocols right into the 12 Week Aesthetic Body Blueprint.

5. Clothing Fit Never Lies

You know that shirt you used to fill out awkwardly? Suddenly it sits right.
Your jeans? They’re looser at the waist but tighter at the quads.
That’s the kind of change no scale reading can replace.

6. Body Fat Percentage > Body Weight

Two guys can both weigh 180 lbs.
One looks shredded, the other looks soft.

It’s not about the weight — it’s about the composition.
A DEXA scan, calipers, or even smart scales that estimate body fat will give you a clearer picture.

7. The Mental Shift

Confidence. Focus. Discipline.

You walk differently when you’re putting in the work. People notice.

That’s progress — and it’s the type that leaks into every area of your life.

Here’s the takeaway:

The scale is one tool — but it’s far from the whole toolbox.

Judge your transformation by how you look, how you feel, how you perform, and how you live.

If you want the exact blueprint to track, measure, and accelerate this progress so you can build a lean, muscular, powerful body without the guesswork…

BJ
Founder, How To Grow Muscles

P.S. The 12 Week Aesthetic Body Blueprint gives you:

• The exact training system for muscle gain + fat loss

• Nutrition that fuels growth without excess fat

• Tracking systems so you see progress every week

👉 Grab it now — stop guessing, start transforming.