Taking measurements...

This is how I've always done it on my clients

Arm - right arm, out with palm up, mid way between elbow and shoulder
Chest - across nipple line, at mid-breath
Waist - even with navel (over love handles if applicable) again at mid-breath
Hip - 6" down from waist
Thigh - 7" up from top of knee
Calf - 7" down from top of knee

These allow for specific reference points to insure consistent readings. Waist and thigh can be significantly different if done even an inch higher or lower, so developing a specific point helps to minimize discrepencies. Also, like weighing, try to do it under similar circumstances - time of day, etc.
 
Waist and thigh can be significantly different if done even an inch higher or lower, so developing a specific point helps to minimize discrepencies.
Click to expand...

I have a mole on my thigh I use as a reference:D
 
Measurements....weird!

Back in 2004 I lost a significant amount of weight. I got down to 151 lbs and maintained for a few months and then got pregnant with my 2nd son. I had kept track of my weight and measurements on a chart. I felt incredible!!! I loved the way my body felt and I felt really good about myself. I only did cardio. No weights. No particular "diet" just making healthy food choices.

I gave birth to my 2nd son in November 2005 and weighed 201 lbs. I am now at 170.8 lbs. I also measure and weigh in weekly. I am doing a combination of cardio and weights and eating healthy.

I found my measurements chart from 2004 and compared them to my measurements now and I'm so confused. I feel SOOOO much bigger than I was at that point. A LOT bigger.

Here is the measurements:
April 2004:
Weight: 151 lbs
Abdomen: 36.5 inches
Waist: 30.5 inches
Hips: 41.5 inches
Thighs: 24 inches
Calves: 14 inches
Bust: 38 inches

Feb 2007:
Weight: 170.8 lbs
Abdomen: 38 inches
Waist: 31.5 inches
Hips: 40.5 inches
Thighs: 26 inches
Calves: 14 inches
Bust: 38 inches

Why are my measurements so close but my weight is so far off? 20 lbs difference but only 2 1/2 inches difference measurement wise. Is it because I am lifting weights and gaining muscle so muscle weighs more than fat? It's just frustrating that I'm so close in measurements but I feel like a big baluga whale compared to how I felt before.

Thanks in advance
Angela
 
Well weight is gained all over the body, though not quite evenly, and your measurements do seem to reflect that as there is an increase in a numbers of the areas measured. 3 inches doesn't seem like much on your abdomen, but its the volume of that increase over the area of your abdomen, sides, and back which is appreciable.

I'm not an expert with women and weight loss when it comes to pregnancy etc, but be aware and talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about it. When you gained weight during pregnancy, the hormones associated with that can have an effect on where fat more likely to be stored on the body. You can't spot reduce fat but it can help you determine diet strategies for your body type.
 
Waist Measurements

Hello everybody,
Recently, I measured my waist and it seemed to measure to 23 inches! Apparently this is very small and although I am not overweight, I'm guessing this is incorrect. I measured my waist on the line of my belly button and am not sure what else could be wrong.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
 
It's pretty tough to get your waist measurement wrong, are you a girl or a guy? Your waist is where you curve inwards & yes it is roughly in line with your belly button, it's usually the smallest point around your torso. 23 is very small, my thighs are more than 23 inches lol
 
Haha, I'm a girl, BTW. And yes I seem to be measuring it in the right place... But 23 inches? Doesn't sound right really does it lol :confused:
 
It might sound silly but were you sucking your tummy in at the time? Try to relax as you take your measure ment, dont stick your stomach out though! I find it really hard to suppress the instinct to hold my belly in when im looking at it lol :)

Or maybe your just slender.
 
Makes sense if you're about 108 lbs--are you naturally thin? According to a few tables I checked out, you may be a couple pounds underweight. According to this one site,
"If your BMI is 19 or lower, you have a higher risk of developing anemia, bone loss, nutrient deficiency, heart irregularities, amenorrhoea (loss of periods in women) and osteoporosis. Your risk of depression and anxiety may also increase."
Hopefully you're happy and healthy--but you may want to at least add some muscle weight if you don't want to put on weight in fat.
 
Halo, just to check as I couldn't remember, I did it again and made sure I didn't suck my stomach in - same measurement though!
Curvie_Girlie, thankyou for your concern. Most of my family are quite thin, yet most are quite fit so that might be why! So perhaps I am naturally thin.
 
Well then seems thats just the way you are, lucky, loads of people would love to be that slender :)
 
what to measure

Just about to start my workout routine after a 10 year break :).

Anyhow - what should I keep track of to see my progress.

1. Weight
2. Body Fat
3. BMI
4. Measurements (where? waist, legs?)

Do other things like body water, or skeletal muscle etc serve as good indicators?

I am thinking of purchasing:


or



Are there other key performance indicators I should be watching out for?

A little bit about me:
30 year old male, 256lbs, 6' tall

Getting married in april, and don't want to be a big fat man.

Advice would be great.

Thanks
Tarique
 
I'm female the key measurements I track, but except for bust there'd be little difference

Neck
Chest
Bust
Waist
Hips
Thigh (right/left)
Calf (right/left)
Upper arm (right/left)
Forearm(right/left)

BMI isn't the greatest indicator -It mattered to me til I got out of the obese range -now it doesn't really matter so much because ti doens't take into consideration gender/age/muscle mass/etc)
 
Measurements??

Well I am tired of using weight as my measurement system. I weigh myself every morning and I want to change that to once a week or two.

Some people use measuring tape(just any old one I imagine?). For those that do, where do you measure to get good readings? I assume the waist, but any other places? Also how do you measure body fat %? I would really like to know where I stand with that.

Thanks
 
I like weighing better but to each his own. I just use my "Work pants" for my measuring. Four months ago, I couldn't even wear them without a belt. Today, I can't even button the top button. The same goes for my Winter jacket from last year, it was loose fitting. Right now, its skin tight. Its a pretty big motivator if you have to wear the same clothing item on a daily basis. I refuse to go buy larger pants.
 
Taking measurements

Taking measurements is something I have never kept track of. I always just went by my jean size. How often is the standard without doing it too often? Does every 7 days seem too often?
 
generally every 2 -3 weeks you'll see more of a change - just make sure you're taking them in the same place every time...
 
Last edited:
angaustinbrody said:
<snipped>
April 2004:
Weight: 151 lbs
Abdomen: 36.5 inches
Waist: 30.5 inches
Hips: 41.5 inches
Thighs: 24 inches
Calves: 14 inches
Bust: 38 inches

Feb 2007:
Weight: 170.8 lbs
Abdomen: 38 inches
Waist: 31.5 inches
Hips: 40.5 inches
Thighs: 26 inches
Calves: 14 inches
Bust: 38 inches


Angela
Click to expand...
Stupid question....what's the difference between abdomen and waist? Where do you measure for your abdominal measurement?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top