Not sure how to get an accurate waist measurement

meganjcallaghan

As I understand it you're supposed to measure around the level of the belly button. When I do this standing up it's about 36.5 inches but I think part of that is because of the fatty skin drooping down from the weight loss above my navel. When I lie down and take it so gravity isn't pulling the skin down (making sure not to breathe or suck in) it comes out at 34 inches. Which is closer to correct? Should the skin from above count towards the total?

SJ46

Generally you measure your waist above your belly button at the smallest point.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-get-your-body-measurements.html

If you are measuring for your own tracking purposes and wish to measure around your belly button be sure to do it the same way each time. I recommend doing it while standing.

meganjcallaghan

it's not so much for the sake of tracking as figuring out where I am compared to a ''safe'' waist measurement which is supposed to be under 35 for a female. I'm just wondering if I'm to count what's drooping down from above as part of my waist measurement as far as that is concerned

SJ46

According to webmd, NIH, and CDC you measure just above the hip bone, which should equate to belly button height, to determine waist circumference. Definitely do it standing, not lying down.

meganjcallaghan

hmm. the top of my hipbone comes to about an inch and a half above where my belly button hangs now

hurricanegirl13

I measure above my belly button. If I'm standing up, and lean over to one side, there's this fold of lovely fat. That's right where I measure, making sure that the tape measure passes right over where that fold was, standing up of course. It may not be exactly where my waist is, but at least it helps me stay consistent. I don't think belly button measurements would be as accurate, for me at least, because of the way I carry weight in my stomach. Depending on the day, lol, the fat in my stomach either sits up nice and perky, or droops down lower, thus causing me to be more squishy. I think that would change my measurement!

ParkerH47

Actually I'm just learning about this, there are 4 main sites you can measure your waist circumference, there really isn't a right answer. The key is to be consistent - pick a place and stick with it, because its all about comparing the exact same spot over time.

Hauntinglyfit

If you have quite a bit of extra skin, the result won't be accurate. The "safe" waist measurement is 35, assuming that is all fat. The layer of extra skin is not fat, but affects your circumference.

Cranquistador

I measure where my natural waist dips in...on me it is quite a bit higher than my belly button, and the smallest point on my mid section.

Thinn2Winn

at the recruitment office they say that the waist is where you bend. so if your standing straight up and bend to the left or right, like your doing the yoga pose Palm Tree. Where the crease is that is your natural waist. this could be at the belly button or more commonly, above the belly button.

hope it helps.

meganjcallaghan

thanks all