How to Keep Track of Body Measurements

Watching the number on the scale go down can be rewarding, but it's not the only indicator to keep your eye on when measuring your health and fitness. Taking your body measurements on a monthly basis shows you both weight loss and muscle gain. Even when the number on the scale does not move, the body measurements can tell you progress has been made.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook
• Pen
• Tape measure

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase a notebook to be used just for recording body measurements. On the first page, write down the date of the first measurement. Then write down chest, biceps, waist, hips and thighs, each on its own line. Skip a line between words to make the list easier to read.

• 2

  Wrap a tape measure around your chest, with the measurement you are reading facing out. The tape measure goes around the fullest part of your chest. Flatten the tape measure against your skin to get an accurate reading. Write the number in the notebook.

• 3

  Wrap the tape measure around your bicep. The bicep is located halfway between your shoulder and elbow. Write this number down in the notebook.

• 4

  Measure your waist next - start about one inch above your belly button. Stand normal while taking the measurement (do not inhale or exhale deeply). Write the number in the notebook.

• 5

  Stand with your feet together, and wrap the tape measure around your hips. Your hips are located at the same level as the largest part of your buttocks. Write the measurement in the notebook.

• 6

  Stand with your legs apart slightly. Wrap the tape measure around the left thigh's thickest part. Write an "L" in the notebook, on the thigh line, and record the measurement. Wrap the tape measure around the right thigh. Write an "R" on the thigh line and record the right thigh's measurement.

• 7

  Wait six to eight weeks before taking the measurements again. Open the notebook to the second page and write the date of the next measurement on top of the page. Label the lines the same as you did on the first page and take your measurements.