You keep muscles honest by treating each set like a performance—script the squat, hit the exact rep count, then jot it down in your spreadsheet so you can see if you’re pushing or just doing the same thing. Watch your heart rate spike; that’s your cue that the muscle’s working. After the workout, reflect on the numbers—if the data says you’re slipping, tweak the weight or add a tempo change. Remember, consistency is a spotlight; a single missed session doesn’t kill the show, but ignoring the numbers lets the muscle forget its role. And trust me, when the spreadsheet looks great, you’ll feel the burn and stay honest with yourself.

I hear you, feeling the blade is the real check, but think of a spreadsheet as a quick spotlight on each punch—just a few numbers, no drama, and you still get that heart‑rate spike. Then you can plan your next comeback with a little data, keep the burn honest, and still keep the warrior vibe alive.