How To Measure?

[Waterbabe_Helena]

Measuring seemed simple till I actually tried it!

With my undulating, squidgy flab, it's hard to get an accurate reading that I can use for future comparison.

You see, it depends on two things (1) how tight or loose should the tape measure be and (worst of all) (2) do I suck it in or let it hang?

Specifically:

I took off my bra to measure my bust (or should I have left it on?)

How can I measure my stomach when it can be all kinds of different sizes? I can pull in in hard, pull it in a bit, or hold it in very slightly. I can let it go a bit, let it go a lot, or let the whole thing hang out, or push it out.

Should I perhaps take TWO belly measurements? One pulling IN as far as I can, and one pushing OUT as far as I can? Comparing them a few months later I should be able to pull in more and push out less, I suppose!

Hips: the biggest problem. Putting the tape around my hips makes it go across the top of my soft roll of belly-hang, so part of my measurement is going to be excessive belly, not hips. Should I measure UNDER the hang-over?

I look forward to your opinions!

Helena

[Richt]

Do you know what, that is a great question. I really look forward to reading the techincal answers.

Rich

[ValidRouge]

I'm going to attempt to answer your questions the way I have done it:
You see, it depends on two things (1) how tight or loose should the tape measure be I don't pull the tape tight, but it's not loose either. If when you pull on the tape the fat/skin bulges over the top of the tape, it's too tight. If you can slip anything between your skin and the tape measure, its too loose. After you've done this a few times, you'll get the hang of it. Just make sure that you are consistent. Be honest with yourself about it.

and (worst of all) (2) do I suck it in or let it hang? I don't suck it in, nor do I push anything out. I just stand straight and breathe normally.

Specifically:

I took off my bra to measure my bust (or should I have left it on?) This is a good question. I take mine off. HOWEVER, that means that stuff is, shall we say, lower than it would be. Once again though, as long as you are consistent, you'll be able to measure and see losses. This would go for men and women, you want to measure this area consistently across the nipples, wherever that may be.

How can I measure my stomach when it can be all kinds of different sizes? I can pull in in hard, pull it in a bit, or hold it in very slightly. I can let it go a bit, let it go a lot, or let the whole thing hang out, or push it out. Once again, stand straight, breathe normally, don't suck in or push out, just stand straight and breathe normally. Hold the tape snug, but not tight where anything bulges over the tape. I measure my stomach at my waist and across my belly button.

Should I perhaps take TWO belly measurements? One pulling IN as far as I can, and one pushing OUT as far as I can? Comparing them a few months later I should be able to pull in more and push out less, I suppose!

Hips: the biggest problem. Putting the tape around my hips makes it go across the top of my soft roll of belly-hang, so part of my measurement is going to be excessive belly, not hips. Should I measure UNDER the hang-over? I measured right across the belly. Unfortunately if your belly is down there around your hips when you put on your pants, it takes up space in that circumfrence whether it is technically belly or hip. So, I measure right over the belly and include it as hips. As you lose your belly fat, this measurement will go down.

I use www.mybodycomp.com to record my measurements. It's free and it will show you exactly where to measure. You can record your measurements and then compare them against one another to see your progress.

[sadie147]

How do I take my measurements?



Taking your measurements is an excellent way to keep track of your changing shape as you get fit. When you burn fat and increase your muscle mass, you may weigh a bit more even though your body is getting tighter and smaller. Here is how you take 10 different body measurements. Remember to keep your muscles relaxed while you're measuring.

1. Bust: Don't squish yourself -- measure all the way around your bust and back right at your nipple line, and make sure the tape measure is not lower.

2. Chest: Measure under your breasts but as high up as you can go, keeping the tape measure parallel to this line when you reach it around your back.

3. Waist: Measure wherever it is the smallest (if you have "no waist" go around yourself right at the navel line).

4. Hips: Measure at the very biggest part -- even if that is so low that you are almost on the top of your thighs.

5. Midway: Measure midway between the very biggest part of your hips and your waist.

6. Thighs: Measure wherever they are the biggest.

7. Knees: Measure right above the knee.

8. Calves: Measure wherever they are the biggest.

9. Upper arm: Measure wherever they are biggest above your elbows.

10. Forearms: Measure wherever they are biggest below your elbows.

Remeasure yourself every couple of months. It may seem discouraging to see your measurements when you start a diet plan, but once your begin to see results, the feeling of accomplishment is wonderful. Even if you have been on a program for a while, it's not too late -- it is great to watch your body continue to change.

From:

http://diet.ivillage.com/measure/0,,mmpr,00.html


It's also a good idea to open an account on www.mybodycomp.com it has measurement tracking db. you can keep track. it also tells you exactly where to measure.

[Elizellen]

Great instructions all of you - I am sure it will help many of us.

I just wanted to agree with the use of www.mybodycomp.com (which has now changed to fittogether.net)

If you think you 'lost' your old mybodycomp profiles when they changed the look of the website to fittogether dont despair like I did when I noticed the change, assuming all my old info had vanished.

If you can remember your old login name and password the old stuff is still there and can be accessed by clicking on the 'Body Fat Monitor' link on the 'Health Tools' tab.