Ok so I am relatively new to TRP, or at least application of the theory. Also apologies in advance for the wall of text, this is a pretty long post.

My LTR is relatively RP anyway, and my girlfriend has responded with nothing but positivity regarding my soaring assertiveness. She is very aware of the traits she finds attractive in me and knows that she needs to be lead, I often refer to her as first mate and this is something she enjoys rather than fights against.

The only aspect I have struggled with is responding to shit tests around dread. Since we got together I have essentially been on an upward trajectory of self improvement. I have stopped a very inhibiting relationship with alcohol and pursued and succeeded in my hobbies and business. I know that this is pretty much perfect for keeping her interest and so I recently resolved to bulk up as I have always been somewhat skinny. She is in recovery from an eating disorder so I am always much more careful with regard to body image stuff with her than with other aspects of our relationship. From the moment I started working out she has fought it, telling me that I didn't need to, telling me it was a waste of time and telling me that she finds muscly men unattractive. Obviously I ignored all of this and carried on and she is visibly more attracted to me every day, constantly squeezing my arms and pretty much pestering me for sex 24/7, to the point where I am the one limiting it out of biological necessity. (Our sex is awesome by the way, I am extremely dominant and she fucking loves it).

The other day she is constantly dropping little comments about how I am the attractive one in the couple. We were out for the day in a busy part of town and I get a LOT of obvious female attention. Partly because I am an attractive guy, partly because she is STUNNING so the hamsters recognise me as high smv by having her, and also partly because of the way I carry myself. We go home and she is off with me for a while, quiet and sulky. She then once again reiterates that I am the attractive one in the couple and that she doesn't know what I see in her. Normally I brush off these shit tests with a jokey "well you better not give me a reason to leave then" or something similar but this time seemed more serious and she was demanding a proper response.

I looked her in the eyes and said, kindly but firmly, "stop doing this. You are telling me I am the attractive one so that I shower you with compliments and make you feel better. I am not going to do that because your self esteem cannot be reliant on me. You are sexy as fuck and I love you, shut up."

She went very moody for an hour or two and then came out of her funk once she saw I wasn't going to budge, and was very affectionate with me. She was very submissive and awesome to the point where she said "I just want attention from you" and literally begged me to stroke her face.

It seems that I passed this shit test or whatever it was, but I'd love advice on how I could have handled it better for next time. I struggle to find the balance between beta and alpha when it comes to her self esteem. In true red pill spirit I am constantly seeking to improve my game, ideas gents?

Also, wanted to touch base with an awesome community. Great to find a relationship based red pill subreddit, thanks for what's been great advice already.