3A. HOW TO TAKE BODY MEASUREMENTS

This is an easy way to assess your condition beacause it doesn't require any fancy equipment, just a cloth tape measure. Taking your measurements at certain areas can give you an idea of where you're losing fat, which is important since we all lose fat in different areas and in a different order. Taking your measurements can help reassure you that things are happening.

Note that because muscle is more dense than fat, you will lose inches even if you are not losing weight.

Start by wearing tight fitting clothing (or no clothing) and make a note of what you're wearing so you know to wear the same clothes the next time you measure. Here's how to do it:

Bust: Measure around the chest right at the nipple line, but don't pull the tape too tight.
Chest: Measure just under your bust (women only)
Waist: Measure a half-inch above your belly button or at the smallest part of your waist
Hips: Place tape measure around the biggest part of your hips
Thighs: Measure around the biggest part of each thigh
Calves: Measure around the largest part of each calf
Upper arm: Measure around the largest part of each arm above the elbow
Forearm: Measure around the largest part of the arm below the elbow
Neck: Measure around neck at collar level

Add the total of these measurements to get your starting body measurement in inches

When taking measurements, note that it's more important that you are consistent in how you measure each body part from month to month so don't get too hung up about measuring in the "exactly" correct location