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Tale Of The Tape

When I started, I decided that the scale and bf % can be inconsistent and have too many variables, so I use measuring as the base, since the tape measure never lies (if you  measure the same exact way/place each time) and (in my opinion) it is much more indicative of  progress. Also, it is helpful to identify if some one is  building muscle disproportionately etc. Some Things To keep in mind to ensure accuracy and consistency  are:
 
1. using different measuring tapes
2. time of the month
3. inconsistency in  measuring precision (not measuring in the same exact place or varying your posture while measuring)
4. always try to measure first thing in the morning as our bodies swell throughout the day from heat and activity
5. Try to measure every 3-4 weeks preferably on Fridays as we tend not to eat as well on the week ends as we do during the weeks
 
Tips:
1.Try to take your measurements in front of the mirror - look in the mirror instead of  down at the tape as this can effect your posture give measurement fluctuations  (especially waist and abdomen)
2. Make sure the tape is even (ie not higher or lower in the back than the front)
 
Waist - the technical  place to measure your waist is directly beneath your rib cage
Abs  2"below the belly button
 
Chest -  straight across the um nipples and around the back, don't let the tape drop in the back - you may or may not drop it the same amount each time - so, even in the front and back  (this not only measures fat off the breast that you may have lost but also that nasty back chub that can pile up back there - I use the nipples as a way to guarantee that you measure the same way and place each time -
 
Shoulders - 1/2 way between the top of the shoulders and the bottom of the lateral delt (this measures fat lost from upper back and  upper arms
 
Upper thigh - straight around  including ineer thigh and saddle bag pudge
 
Lower thigh - 2" above the top of the knee cap (make sure that you go evenly around)
Calf - Right around the meatiest part (I do this because many women hold fat in their calves, and most guys want bigger calves)
Upper arm - arm straight out to the side hand and shoulder even straight around the fattest part of the tris
 
Hips  - right under the  crotch and around the back under the butt. The reason being  it is again a little bit more precise and you ensure that you always measure in exactly the same place each time. It just gives you a constant reference point. Some people measure hips at the hip  bone/abdomen area, but again, in the spirit of being anal, I use 2" below the belly button to measure abdomen (the pooch area on some of us)

 

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