Measuring accurately or best guess?

sarasara42

So I've been working out for years on and off. But more so since December faithfully every day (5 days a week).

My husband and I decided to do measurements in February as we started strength training (instead of my daily scale battle). Then did measurements again last night 2 months later. We did arms, chest, waist, butt, thigh and calf.
But how do you know you're getting really accurate measurements from the last time? Do you measure arms down? arms up? Do you measure the fattest part of your thigh? or the middle? etc.

I want to know how others are measuring and how they really KNOW that they've gotten a difference and not just tricked themselves with squeezing the tape measure more than before. Any tips?

neanderthin

Just measure the same way in the same spots each time.

susannamarie

Get someone who dislikes you to measure you so they measure it loosely

Okay, I'm kidding.

More seriously -- measure and write down your measurements WITHOUT looking at your old ones! You should have forgotten them after 2 months ... so you won't be squishing yourself a bit trying to beat the old measurements.

peaceinside

You can also try to be more accurate by lunging on the leg and measure from the hip to the knee and the half way mark should be your aim every time. Same with arm, up by the way. I see debate on waist all the time. The way they do it at my gym is they stand behind me and have me hold the tape on my navel and they put it in the natural waist line.
Hope that helps,
Peace! :flowerforyou:

sarasara42

Thanks that's helpful. I know it's hard doing it yourself, because you're never really sure where you're doing it on your own.