Taking Your Measurements

Taking your measurements weekly is a great way to watch your weight loss progress. Especially since some weeks you'll build more muscle mass than you will lose in fat - and though the scale won't show much progress your measurements may! It will also make you more aware of your body; where you gain and lose fat the quickest and what your trouble areas are. Although you cannot target fat loss, you can target toning exercises. It can also be encouraging when you don't see the weight loss yet, especially in areas you want it the most - losing inches, no matter where, is very reassuring.

When you are going to take your measurements, make sure to wear tight clothing (or only your skivvies!) - and make note of what you're wearing so you can use it every time. If you don't have an appropriate measuring tape handy use a piece of string and mark the spot with a pen, then you can measure the sting with a ruler afterwards.

Most measurements are fairly intuitive: arm, thigh, bust and calf are all taken at the widest part of each body part.

However, many of the rest are taken incorrectly. To properly take a hip measurement, you do not actually measure where your hips are but instead at the widest part of your derriere. For your waist you measure about halfway between your lowest rib and your 'hip' bone (actually your pelvic bone). This is approximately an inch above most people's belly buttons. For a chest measurement, the tape should go right below your pectoral muscles (women, this is right where the band of your bra lies).

Remember that the tape measure should touch your skin and be held taught but it should not compress any tissue. If you are starting to monitor your measurements weekly, you can use this tracking sheet to keep organized!