Where is my waist?

sfriel68
sfriel68 Posts: 61 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Sounds mad but I really don't know where to measure, I've had my measurements taken a few times over the years and everyone seems to have a different idea of where the waist Is ( doesn't help that I carry most of my excess weight around the middle )

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    There are definitions like half way between the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your ribcage if that helps ?
  • minniestar55
    minniestar55 Posts: 350 Member
    For the sake of consistency, I measure my waist at my navel.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    typically your waist is the narrowest part around your midsection (this can be different but its a good rule of thumb). If you are more of an 'apple' shape and don't have a defined narrow part, I would measure at the belly button for consistency (which really is the most important thing).

  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    yarwell wrote: »
    There are definitions like half way between the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your ribcage if that helps ?

    This.

    You're measurable waist when looking at disease and health risk indicators is the midpoint between the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your ribcage.

    Tailoring and dressmaking may differ, I have no idea.
  • thankyou4thevenom
    thankyou4thevenom Posts: 1,581 Member
    If you can't see a natural place for it then the best answer is to measure at the belly button until it starts to appear.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Typically, it's right below the ribs, at the narrowest part, though as said can be tricky if you don't narrow. Can be easier to find on your back than the front. I'm a dressmaker and that's where I measure. We've gotten confused because modern clothing tends to sit far lower but we still refer to it as the waist. People often measure too high for the hips too.

    But for tracking weight loss, just make sure it's the same place every time!
  • sfriel68
    sfriel68 Posts: 61 Member
    Thanks everyone, ☺☺☺☺ xx
  • sfriel68
    sfriel68 Posts: 61 Member
    VintageFeline wrote: »
    Typically, it's right below the ribs, at the narrowest part, though as said can be tricky if you don't narrow. Can be easier to find on your back than the front. I'm a dressmaker and that's where I measure. We've gotten confused because modern clothing tends to sit far lower but we still refer to it as the waist. People often measure too high for the hips too.

    But for tracking weight loss, just make sure it's Thanks for this, definetely easier to spot from the back ☺ . What about the hips and chest ? Where should these be measured?
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    I did/do two measurements, one where it goes in the most (right under ribs here) and one at the navel. Maybe do one right under your ribs, too, even if it's not smallest yet. And the navel, which is an easy landmark :)

    I lost weight in much different ratios between the two. I'm dead skinny at top now and get fluffier as you go down ;) The top part getting smaller quicker was motivating even when the navel part was slower.
  • hamstertango
    hamstertango Posts: 129 Member
    minniestar55 wrote: »
    For the sake of consistency, I measure my waist at my navel.
    I do this, it's not the smallest bit but I wasn't too sure which bit of me was the waist to start with as it was all bulging out and wanted consistent measurements to compare the changes.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    I've read that to find your natural waist, you stand in front of a mirror and bend to the side. The part where there is a crease is your natural waist.

    But if you're like some people (like me), I carry a lot of fat around my lower belly, so I measure around my navel, as a few people have already said.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    minniestar55 wrote: »
    For the sake of consistency, I measure my waist at my navel.

    This.

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