Ok, as a tenured professor I object to your second example. (but I don’t totally disagree with it)
What "Stage" Am I?
I like a system where you advance by failing.
Day 1, 100kg lifted = novice
Day 2, 105kg lifted = novice
Day 3, 110kg lifted = novice
…
Day 15, morning before the gym = novice.
At the gym, 150kg failed lift. Congratulations, you’re an intermediate now.
Do you have anything useful to add or you just enjoy insulting teenage girls? You soyboys. I tried to help her and told her she needs to eat more and cut down on cardio, if she doesn’t want to follow that then I can’t force her.
If you can still add weight to the bar weekly you’re a beginner. Intermediate would be monthly progress and advanced would be 5-25 pounds a year or so. Just keep using beginner/intermediate programs, eat a good bit and don’t worry about your “stage” and you’ll be strong.