It is human nature to measure things isn’t it? From ancient times people measured fields, crop yield, and weights of precious metals. In the modern times we measure buildings, distances, cost, height, and even shoe size.
I believe that we should be taking measure regularly.
What kind of measurements am I talking about? Physical body measurements of course! They can tell us:
1. Where we started.
2. Where we are now.
3. Where we would like to be.
Body measurements other than height can quickly change. Your height remains basically the same once you reach adulthood, but your weight and body measurements change. Sometimes they move higher and higher as you gain weight, but for those of us on the journey to reaching a healthier weight, your measurements will soon be shifting on a downward trend.
I’m a human too, and I totally understand the uncomfortable feeling in wrapping a tape measure around yourself, but I believe that it is a vital step in analyzing your current situation and giving you a benchmark for future progress.
I’m embarrassed to this day to admit that my waist was larger than 50 inches, and my hips were so large that I couldn’t fit a standard 60 inch tape measure around them. I had to use a string and then go back and measure the string with a metal tape measure. It was a bad day, but the process was an important step.
I wrote down my measurements on a Post-It note and stuck the sticky square in the bottom of a drawer where no one else could ever find it. I was embarrassed at those enormous numbers.
As I lost weight, and began to see long-awaited changes. I occasionally took stock of where I was by using the tape measure. It was particularly helpful when I was in the throes of a weight loss plateau. I found so much encouragement to compare my current measurements to that yellow Post-It note hidden in my drawer.
If you haven’t already done it, please, please, please measure yourself today and write down all the measurements you take. Include measurements for:
Waist – taken at natural waist
Hips – taken about 8 inches below your natural waist
Thighs – taken at upper thigh
Wrist – pretty self-explanatory
Chest – taken at widest part of chest
Upper Arm – taken at widest part
Whatever Else You Want to Measure!
As you lose weight, so many of your body measurements will change, and it is really encouraging and even fun to see those changes. I found that my waist size shrunk from in the 50 inch range to about 28.5 to 29 inches, and my hips are now under 40 inches. WooHoo!
Even if you are at a healthy weight your body measurements can change through dedicated exercise and good eating.
John used to ask me “Where did all the rest of you go Diane? What happened to all the extra you?”
I used to wave him away and say, “I have no idea.” But I did know one thing for certain. I was glad that excess fat was gone and I had no desire to ever see it again!
Have you taken your measurements lately or tracked them throughout this process? Is measuring yourself a good thing for you? Diane
Yep I do measure. Each month. I did not think to measure my wrists though! =)
I am really glad I do too because when the scale appears to stall it is a good reminder I am still heading in the right direction.
I measure every 3 months. It reminds me that even if the scale is slowing up, you get results in other ways. Progress is marked in many different ways. Sometimes we focus on the number on the scale too much.
This is where a lot of people slip up in my experience. You absolutely must know where you are starting and where you wish to go, or you’ll essentially be driving blind.
Not only do you need to measure regularly, but you need to do this as part of a goal. Your progress needs to be tracked within a framework. Only then can you really know where you’re going right and where you might be going wrong.
Whenever I work with anyone I make absolutely sure that they set goals and measure on a regular basis. Its what keeps up focused and keeps us motivated. I do it all the time when chasing down an dream and if your dream is of weight loss, particularly long term weight loss, this is absolutely essential.
Just my two cents!
Neck measurements!
Neck was one of the places I was MOST THRILLED to see shrink!
Measuring can be a very useful tool and I encourage my clients to use it, though I don’t do the measuring myself.
One thing I am always cautious of, and explain to them, is to not do it too frequently — to allow enough time between measuring, that real progress can be charted.
I usually suggest about every three to four weeks, allowing enough time that, if they do all the right things during that time, they will be smiling when done.
LOL @ John! I think that as the physical you shrank, Diane, the metaphysical you grew!!
I measure my waist, hips, thighs, biceps, wrists & neck at least once a month. It is amazing how much these areas have went down.
I’m bad at measuring. I really should, to try to follow with progress when I’m trying to lose weight. My weight is the only thing I’ve ever measured even when I know measuring inches you may have lost would be more meaningful. Maybe something I will think about in the new year…need to purchase a measuring tape…haha.
Yes, I absolutely believe in tracking measurements in addition to scale weights! From the beginning, I have tracked my neck, chest (under arms), bust, waist and hips. In the last 17 months I have lost 49.25 inches total from my starting measurements in those areas. I only wish I had included a few other areas, such as upper arm, thigh, and calf in my measurements when I started. I keep a spreadsheet of my measurements, along with my BMI (which is down 22.6 points!) recorded at each of my monthly weigh-ins. It really does help to see the great differences by the numbers!
Have a great day!
Kimberly
I will be measuring in January for a 90 day fitness challenge. Why am I waiting? Because the other 2 members of the challenge won’t start until January.
You wrote: Whatever Else You Want to Measure!
That made me smile, thinking of how obsessive I am with food, and how that obsessive nature I have might tempt me to measure every part of my body, even my piggy toe.
I think measuring is important too, and I LOVE the idea of going back to that early, early measurement and making comparisons. I’m experiencing a plateu right now, and its infuriating to see the scale teeter totter back and forth between 3 lbs for a month. I’m getting that tape measure out tonight, and going to town with the thing.
Have a great weekend, Diane, and again, thanks!
I kick myself often for NOT measuring when I was first started losing weight. It would have been so helpful to compare “before” and after!
Took measurements last month and on Sunday I’ll see where I’ve made improvements. Wish I would have taken them from the start since I’m swimming in my jeans now!
I measure and find it very helpful, though I confess I haven’t whipped out a tape measure in at least six months for somewhat obvious reasons
It’s so important to measure because the scale might not be dropping but in actual fact the measurements is. And, when one is maintaining of sculpting muscles, one also need to keep track of this. Will indicate progress too in this area.
Doing weight training, I of course measure, conceited as I am
But seriously, I found it especially important to measure weight, even after I lost it, because I wanted (and still want) to make sure that it doesn’t creep back onto me.
Other than it of course also helps to regularly take a picture of yourself. In my experience, once a month or every second month is enough.
I may change my mind later, but right now I do not like focusing on scale numbers and inches. I think it invites those who have already been marginalized because they are fat to continue to be objectified. We are so much more than these numbers. To me, losing weigh is about moving towards wholeness. And for many, it’s about healing life’s wounds.
I’m at the beginning of my weight loss journey, and I do weigh myself because that’s one way to see progress. But I don’t think I’ll ever blog my starting or goal weight. That is only to underline what I believe. I have a page where I list my goals. They are about opening doors that are now closed to me because of my size. They are about new possibilities. They are about breaking out of the cage of obesity. Things like losing my CPAP, being able to fit in one airplane seat so I can travel and visit family, being able to coach teen girls in running activities in a nonprofit for which I am Treasurer. These things mean so much more to me than inches. A number on a scale or on a measuring tape will never motivate me to do the hard work of losing weight. But being able to participate in life in a way that feels free and unencumbered gets me excited.