How to take an accurate hip measurement

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izzyandobo
izzyandobo Posts: 41
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anybody have any advice for taking an accurate and consistent hip measurement. I feel like I am always measuring incorrectly. Also my scale does body fat % - what is a healthy % for a 30 yr old woman?

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  • izzyandobo
    izzyandobo Posts: 41
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    Does anybody have any advice for taking an accurate and consistent hip measurement. I feel like I am always measuring incorrectly. Also my scale does body fat % - what is a healthy % for a 30 yr old woman?
  • sgtinvincible
    sgtinvincible Posts: 2,559
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    Hiya Izzy!

    I don't know much about measuring your hips (if you hit belly button you are too high, if you hit knees you are too low?:huh: ) but a quick google-fu of body fat% for women age 30, came up with this link.

    http://life.familyeducation.com/weight/health/35880.html

    Looks pretty decent.

    Hope it helps!

    -Jeremy :happy:
  • izzyandobo
    izzyandobo Posts: 41
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    Thanks, I'll try that website. I guess I should just pick a spot for my hip measures and stick to it::laugh:
  • littleone68
    littleone68 Posts: 67 Member
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    I was always told that it is hip bone to hip bone. Just start at one and wrap the tape all the way around until both ends meet. Unfortunately this also means that you measure the biggest part of your butt too. I always hate measuring my hips :angry: I also remember someone saying that to be in proportion your chest and hip measurements should be the same. (obviously your waist should be smaller than the two by a couple of inches at least) I hope that helps some. :smile:
  • momandwife
    momandwife Posts: 151 Member
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    Here's what measurements I take .....

    At belly button
    3 inches below belly button (which is the area that I want to lose)
    6 inches below belly button (which is my hips/rear area that needs to go away)

    This way - every other week when I measure I'm sure that I'm measuring the same area. Just make sure that you are not holding the tape measurer too tight around ..... or too loose for that matter.

    Just a thought for you ..... :flowerforyou:
  • ali106
    ali106 Posts: 3,754 Member
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    I like that idea!! 3 inches and then 6 inches! cool!:flowerforyou:
  • LonelyPilgrim
    LonelyPilgrim Posts: 255 Member
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    I just measure at the very biggest spot I can find! and make sure the tape measure is pretty level all the way around by looking in the mirror (make sure it isn't high in the back, low in the front, etc)
  • annhjk
    annhjk Posts: 794 Member
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    Does anybody have any advice for taking an accurate and consistent hip measurement. I feel like I am always measuring incorrectly. Also my scale does body fat % - what is a healthy % for a 30 yr old woman?

    From my experience, take the scale body fat % with a grain of salt. I've had mine done at the gym by a specialist with a caliper (or whatever they're called) and it's always about 5% below my scale or more. I have a health o meter that does water % too.
  • izzyandobo
    izzyandobo Posts: 41
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    Thank everybody. I think I will try the 3 inch and 6 inch rule. That seems to give a good overall assesment.
  • bonkers5975
    bonkers5975 Posts: 1,015 Member
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    "They" used to say 9 inches below your waist. That's the way I've always done... I don't think it really matters as long as you hit the same spot every time! The other key is standing with your feet the same distance apart, too... I judge by a shoulder's width... again, consistency is key!

    Good luck! :happy:
  • Healthier_Me
    Healthier_Me Posts: 5,600 Member
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    if you hit belly button you are too high, if you hit knees you are too low?:huh:
    :laugh:
    Thanks for clearing that up for me J :wink:

    ~Joanna:flowerforyou:
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,786 Member
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    I always do the biggest part of me - If I was to go to a tailors, I would want the pants to fit my largest part. :laugh:
  • zaiikaa
    zaiikaa Posts: 112
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    I also do the "biggest part" as my hip measurement (taking several measurements until I get the biggest one!) :laugh:
  • chriss1tt
    chriss1tt Posts: 365 Member
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    Hiya Izzy!

    I don't know much about measuring your hips (if you hit belly button you are too high, if you hit knees you are too low?:huh: ) but a quick google-fu of body fat% for women age 30, came up with this link.

    http://life.familyeducation.com/weight/health/35880.html

    Looks pretty decent.

    Hope it helps!

    -Jeremy :happy:

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

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