Tracking progress: How do you do it?

[SunsetRunner]

I'm just curious really, how do you track your progress and how often?

I track my weight/body fat percentage with my Aria every Monday morning.

I take my body measurements (bicep, bust, waist, hips, thigh) on the first of every month.

Then I take progress photos maybe every month or six weeks...

My goals is to buold muscle.

I read some people argue that body measurements and progress photos should be taken more frequently, pretty much weekly too.

What do you think? What do you track and how often do you do it? I'm intrigued!

[Dominique]

Do you also track strength gains? If you are lifting weights to build muscle, you’d want to keep a log of what you’re doing (exercises, reps, sets, rest between sets), if you aren’t already doing so.

Once a month for body measurements is sufficient IMO, except perhaps for waist: following waist measurements can be useful when bulking (to make sure you’re not gaining too much fat) and when cutting (to monitor fat loss). For that, you can measure waist weekly.

[A_Lurker]

I've done the pictures, measurements, etc. but at my stage I still can't see the difference overall so I don't bother.  I may change that as I get closer to my goal, who knows. I've done weekly, switched to daily, and back to weekly weigh-ins.  I added at BF% capable scale last year in June.

If you're interested in gaining strength I'd definitely track how much you're lifting.  My last (and soon to be current) weights program suggests doing some 1 rep maxes periodically.  I know that I used to (not now) have a 225-250 one rep deadlift.  Not sure if I could pin it down (old computer, defunct website) but here's the rub, I always got better lifts at the end of a maintenance week.  

[Dave001]

I'm obese. BMI 38 at New Year. My goal is to lose weight.

I'm walking and eating a Mediterranean diet.

BMI now 35.5

I simply hop on the scales once each week. I also keep a food and exercise diary which really helps.

The greatest indication of progress though is when a friend comments that I've lost weight. Such wonderful motivation!

[katanel]

Hi @SunsetRunner,

1. About weight: track daily but enter in Fibit app only weekly average 

Use trendweight.com website.

2. About bodyfat: some advice - track it daily with a bodyfat scale and enter only weekly average or... measure your waist weekly or monthly and check the progress.

3. Take pictures every month and compare these.

Regards.