Strangling my scale with my measuring tape!

If you are like me you are fixated on the scale, that damn little digital screen which dictates my mood every morning. Well how about another way to make yourself feel like you are getting closer to your goal? It's time to bust out the measuring tape!

Take your measurements now and take them again every 6-8 weeks. If the scale isn't moving the tape measure may show that you are in fact smaller than you were, or for our friends trying to gain muscle mass, bigger than they were. Use a fabric tape measure, make sure to pull it tight enough to get an accurate measurement but still lose enough that you can slide it around the body. In other words don't choke the fat trying to get smaller measurements!

Waist: Measure either the natural narrowest part of your abdomen or at your belly button, just make note of which you use so you can measure the same area next time. Also make note if you held your breath in, its ok just be consistent when measuring.

Hips: Stand with feet together and measure the widest part around hips and bum.

Bust/Chest: Measure either along the nipple line or with the tape under the underarms, again it doesn't matter which you chose just make note so you measure the same area next time.

Biceps: Measure the widest part of your upper arm, make note if you measured flexed and out to the side or unflexed and next to the body.

Thigh: Tuck the measuring tape up to the groin and pull it horizontally around the leg.

Calf: Measure the thickest part of the lower leg.

You will probably notice a slight difference from one side of your body to the other, this is completely normal.

There are guidelines for healthy waist circumferences as abdominal fat can be an indicator of increased risk of cardiac disease. Women should strive for a waist circumference of less than 35 inches, men should be less than 40 inches.

Have fun...and yes even though I am Canadian I measure in inches, blame my parents and their refusal to embrace the metric system. If you are an Imperialist there are 2.54 centimeters in an inch.