belly measurement help!!!

baileysummermom
baileysummermom Posts: 5
in Health and Weight Loss
I am going to post this on the fitness and exercise board too but I need to know they say if your belly measures more than 35" inches for a woman you are at risk and it shouldn't be more than that.

My question is do you measure on the smallest part of your waist which is towards my ribs or do I measure right from the belly button around.

I'm worried about my measurements...If I measure from the smallest part I'm at 31inches but if I measure from the belly button around it is typically 37-38"

I'm 5'6" and weight 153-156 depending on the say.

I notice I carry most of my weight in my belly and then the butts/thighs

Replies

  • Tw1zzler
    Tw1zzler Posts: 583
    I measure my waist at the smallest point, typically where it bends. I measure my belly around the belly button.
  • Car0lynnM
    Car0lynnM Posts: 332 Member
    Bump. I was wondering this same thing last night. Measuring right on the belly button is about an inch or two more than measuring just above the belly button, which is where many garments put the 'waist' (like a belted dress). Confused.
  • foxgl0ve
    foxgl0ve Posts: 43 Member
    The rule I heard is that your risks for diabetes, heart disease, etc. are particularly high if your waist measures more than half your height (for men and women).

    If you are 5'6", than you want your waist to be 33" or less at it's smallest measurement (with no squishing).

    For most women their natural waist is very close to their belly button,
  • sstephanrodriguez
    sstephanrodriguez Posts: 36 Member
    You're supposed to measure your waist where it bends at the smallest point :)
  • skinnybitchbarbie27
    skinnybitchbarbie27 Posts: 306 Member
    At curves we concider your natural bend in the abdomen your waist. The actual abdomen measurement we take at the largest part of the tummy under the bellybutton. (about two fingers under the bellybutton). I hope this helps!
  • kms1320
    kms1320 Posts: 599 Member
    stand in front of a mirror and bend to the side. where the skin creases is where your waist is. It is usually around 2 inches above your belly button.
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/82616-measure-stomach-fat/
  • msaestein1
    msaestein1 Posts: 264 Member
    bump...I am confused as well. I thought the waist was at the smallest part like most of you are saying so far. But I saw doctor oz measure around the belly button for what that OP was talking about. Confusing.
  • msaestein1
    msaestein1 Posts: 264 Member
    stand in front of a mirror and bend to the side. where the skin creases is where your waist is. It is usually around 2 inches above your belly button.
    nice tip.
  • MissKitty9
    MissKitty9 Posts: 224 Member
    Yep, like everyone is saying-- measure at the smallest point (which is what they call your "natural" waist). This is usually at the belly-button.
  • MissKitty9
    MissKitty9 Posts: 224 Member
    Or just above, rather!
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/82616-measure-stomach-fat/


    COPY & PASTE THE LINK,,, AND READ, IT TELLS YOU HOW TO DO IT RIGHT...
  • SleepySin
    SleepySin Posts: 168 Member
    Typically the narrowest point - for me, that falls about 1" above my belly button, just about at the bottom of my rib cage.

    Depending on your body type, it could be 1", 2" or even at your navel. It alll depends on you.

    As a result, the smallest point isn't at the belly button as someone previously stated.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    bump...I am confused as well. I thought the waist was at the smallest part like most of you are saying so far. But I saw doctor oz measure around the belly button for what that OP was talking about. Confusing.

    NEVER listen to what doctor oz says
  • rmhand
    rmhand Posts: 1,067 Member
    I am going to post this on the fitness and exercise board too but I need to know they say if your belly measures more than 35" inches for a woman you are at risk and it shouldn't be more than that.

    Do they use the word belly? I think by that measurement they mean the smallest part, your natural waist. Its these low rise pants that have everybody confused on where your waist is.
  • Talon130
    Talon130 Posts: 12
    the waist line is measured by finding your hip bone. You go directly to the top of the hip bone and go in a parallel line across hitting both sides.

    You are also supposed to take 3 measurements, arms to your side, and tape measure on bare skin
  • strawberrytoast
    strawberrytoast Posts: 711 Member
    I measure around my belly button between the top stomach tyre and the bottom one :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    I have 2 bellies :sad:
  • shimmergal
    shimmergal Posts: 380 Member
    can someone who is curvy post a pic while taking the measurement ? I have a muffin top (curvy with love handles with somewhat flat belly). My skin creases way on the top (almost where my ribs end). I am still unsure what would be the right measurement for me. any help ?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It is confusing because most people wear their pants below their natural waist...thus the waist size of your pants is usually substantially smaller than your natural waist line. Should be right at the belly button or an inch or two above...I start my measurement right at the top of my hip bone and around...it's right on with my belly button...maybe just a bit above it.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    I don't want to sound offensive, but even if at the smallest point your waist is 31", if you are 37-38" at your belly button then you probably aren't exempt from the "at risk" category you're trying to gauge.

    The idea is basically "don't have a lot of belly fat"
  • Lalouse
    Lalouse Posts: 221 Member
    My nutritionist measured it by having me hold the tape at my belly button and turn around in a circle. So I say it's at your belly button and you want to be under 35 there for your height (I'm the same height).
  • SPBROOKS68
    SPBROOKS68 Posts: 561 Member
    stand in front of a mirror and bend to the side. where the skin creases is where your waist is. It is usually around 2 inches above your belly button.

    I love this answer as when I measure where my belly button is ---I do not like the number:noway:
  • kms1320
    kms1320 Posts: 599 Member
    My nutritionist measured it by having me hold the tape at my belly button and turn around in a circle. So I say it's at your belly button and you want to be under 35 there for your height (I'm the same height).

    Maybe you have a high belly button or low hip bones, because if not, your nutritionist measured wrong. The waist is at the soft spot between the top of the hip bone and below the rib cage. Your waist doesn't care where the little hole in your skin is on the front, and it isn't in the same spot for everyone.
  • justiningham
    justiningham Posts: 139 Member
    Probably easier just to look at teh image:

    http://www.workinonmyfitness.com/images/measure.jpg

    or read with images:

    http://www.whyiexercise.com/waist-hip-ratio.html
  • laylaness
    laylaness Posts: 262 Member
    This thread has changed my life.
  • Mini_Medic
    Mini_Medic Posts: 343 Member
    When they say "waist measurement" it means around the smallest part under your ribs between your bottom ribs and your navel aka your belly button. When doctors discuss your risk and measure they take the biggest part between your ribs and hips and say that is your "girth".

    The whole idea is that the biggest part around your middle shouldn't be greater than such and such inches. If your slim and fit you won't be at a high risk since your not too large anywhere. But I do know where a lot of people are coming from because I used to have three rolls on my sides between my breasts and hips and lets just say it wasn't pretty. Now I happily sport my smaller waist line and no rolls!
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
    I'm the same way. At first I was at 40 inches and now i'm at 34 and I measure 1 inch above my belly button. who knows if i'm doing that right. I'll check everyone's answer.....
  • WDEvy
    WDEvy Posts: 814 Member
    For women it has more to do with Hip/ waist ratio for health.

    I've always been told to measure about 2" above the belly button ( natural waist) which isn't the smallest part for everyone.
  • shorty35565
    shorty35565 Posts: 1,425 Member
    I measure my waist at the smallest part & then I measure my belly across my belly button.
    Belly is 34 3/4 & waist is 26 5/8 I'm 5'5 120lbs.
    Idk if I really believe ab the heart disease thing if ur belly button measurement is such & such, cuz some people are built wider than others & with larger frames.

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