Taking measurements

Taking your measurements is an excellent way to keep track of your changing shape as you get fit. When you burn fat and increase your muscle mass, you may weigh a bit more even though your body is getting tighter and smaller. Here is how you take different body measurements. Remember to keep your muscles relaxed while you're measuring. Having someone else take the measurements will help them be more accurate. Just make sure you measure in the same spot everytime.

1. Bust: Don't squish yourself -- measure all the way around your bust and back right at your nipple line, and make sure the tape measure is not lower.

2. Chest: Measure under your breasts but as high up as you can go, keeping the tape measure parallel to this line when you reach it around your back.

3. Waist: Measure wherever it is the smallest (if you have "no waist" go around yourself right at the navel line).

4. Hips: Measure at the very biggest part -- even if that is so low that you are almost on the top of your thighs.

5. Thighs: Measure wherever they are the biggest.

6. Calves: Measure wherever they are the biggest.

7. Upper arm: Measure wherever they are biggest above your elbows.

8. Forearms: Measure wherever they are biggest below your elbows.