I’ve Lost 120lbs and This Is My Favorite Way to Track Success That Doesn’t Rely on Following the Scale All the Time

I’ve Lost 120lbs and This Is My Favorite Way to Track Success That Doesn’t Rely on Following the Scale All the Time

When you’ve lost a significant amount of weight—like 120 pounds—you quickly realize that the scale, while helpful, is not the full story. In fact, over time, relying solely on the scale can become frustrating, even demotivating. Your weight can fluctuate for so many reasons unrelated to fat loss, like water retention, muscle gain, or hormonal shifts. That’s why I learned to track my success through non-scale victories (NSVs)—and it changed everything.

My favorite way to track progress is performance and strength gains. When I first started, I could barely walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded. Now, I can deadlift more than my own body weight, hike for hours, and keep up with people half my age. Watching my body become more capable is incredibly validating—and has nothing to do with a number.

Another huge marker of success? Clothing fit. There’s nothing like pulling on a pair of jeans you used to dread wearing and realizing they’re loose. Fitting comfortably into smaller sizes, or simply noticing that your clothes sit better on your body, is a major boost.

I also track my energy levels. There’s a direct connection between how I eat, move, and sleep, and how much energy I have. When I feel strong, clear-headed, and focused throughout the day, I know I’m doing something right—even if the scale doesn’t budge.

Photos and measurements have been more rewarding than I expected. Sometimes the mirror lies—or at least, your perception of it does. But looking at side-by-side progress photos or watching measurements go down slowly over time gives a much clearer picture of change than weight alone.

And maybe the most underrated marker? Confidence. It’s how I carry myself now, how I speak up in rooms, how I’m not afraid to take up space. That’s the real transformation. No scale can measure that.

For anyone just starting or struggling because the scale has stalled, I encourage you to start writing down your NSVs. Did you sleep better? Skip soda? Walk farther? Say no to something that didn’t align with your goals? These are all wins—and they count.

Weight loss is about more than pounds lost. It’s about gaining strength, freedom, and pride. Let the scale be a tool, but not your only one. There’s so much more to celebrate than a number.