Is there some trick to getting consistent measurements with a measuring tape? Like waist, thigh, etc? What areas do I measure? Do I measure my waist at the belly button or ?? Do I stand normally or ?? A very slight change in position (of the tape or my body), a slight difference in breath or just letting my belly "sag" can mean many inches different!

Very newbie questions, but this is the forum for that right?

Hi! There are no rules for measuring, as long as you try to make it as consistant as possible. You can do it however you'd like, but it's a good idea to write down notes to yourself for where you measured, like "at belly button level". I happen to have some prominant birth marks that are my land marks.

For trunk measurements, it's a good idea to check a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor. I usually exhale comfortably for "lung capacity consistancy."

Have fun!

You could think of your waist the smallest section of your abdominal area. Your hips as the widest section of your lower body. Always try to measure the widest part of each body part, so that you can tell the changes that area occurring.


Hope this helps.

ciao
armana

The best way I have found is to use natural body markers. Smallest part for waist. Across belly button for abdomen. Across top of pubic hair line for hips. Moles, freckles and birthmarks are also a big help. Hope that helps you some.