To be unable to measure my waist properly

[mayandjuniper]

I read a thread on here a few weeks ago about how if you have a waist measurement of 31+ inches you need to lose weight and are unhealthy, regardless of your BMI. I've since been quite concerned about my measurement and been taking it a few times a week. I cannot, however, work out how to do it right! I don't think I have a 'normal' stance, but the difference between me taking the measurement standing up straight like I would for a photo or something (not sucking in, but shoulders back, back straight etc) and letting it all hang out is huge- 28 inches for the former and 32 inches for the latter. Anyone else a bit confused about how to 'be' for this measurement? My BMI is 21.5 and I wear a size 10, if it makes a difference, but I have an ED history and am a bit concerned about being unhealthy.

I'd find it hard to believe your waist is 32 if you're a size 10.

Maybe do it in a mirror? It's suppose to go around your middle alongside your belly button.

YANBU, some of the directions I've seen in certain places is unclear (and bloat can certain cause issues), but to my understanding, the former is what you want as long as you're not sucking in/holding your breath. You want as close to natural upright as possible, not pulling in or pushing out. 31" seems a bit strict to be for everyone, I've generally heard it should be somewhat in relation to your height and shoulder width.

Generally checking at the same point in your cycle can help show if there are any issues and show that certain measurements can swing back and forth by a few inches with little issue.

You're supposed to measure level with your belly Button, not the slimmest part of your torso. I've been took this by the gp, this is where to measure to gauge your health.

Told this

I read you should measure halfway between your hip bone and your bottom rib.

www.wcrf-uk.org/uk/here-help/health-tools/how-measure-your-waist

I want a credible reference for that "measure at the belly button" statement. I gain about 2" if I use belly button... off to google....

NHS says midway between ribs & top of hips!!
Does anyone know how to identify "top of hips"? (I am not sure)
Does midway = precisely halfway or just somewhere inbetween?

Using NHS method (assuming I know where "top of hips" is) gets to with my skinniest point, anyway, btw.

OP: measure your thinnest point when relaxed?

WebMD says level with bellybutton (which is far below my midway, hohum).

Isn’t it supposed to be that your waist should be half your height or less, rather than a fixed 31”?

I did the same thread last week for the exact same reason. Its very confusing because I seem to have an unnaturally low belly button.

healthy for women < 35 inches if measuring at bellybutton says WEBMD. Not < 31".

I think Diabetes UK is saying thinnest point betw hips & ribs... They have 34.5" as unhealthy threshold for women unless Asian (they get 31.5" as threshold).

Mayo Clinic says measure at the hipbone itself (??) but gives 37" as the unhealthy threshold for women.

US CDC says 35" and "just above the hipbones".

Give your reference for 31", OP. Are you Asian?

The level of your belly button is definitely not most people's waist.

It's a great measurement to know, as it includes the upper love-handles, but it isn't your waist. The Mayo clinic "at the hip bones" is roughly the same level, so their 37 inches max for that measurement is likely about right.

To find your hip bones, put your 'hands on your hips' and push in then wiggle up and down - you will feel a bony ridge. Measure half way between that and your lowest rib, and it should be less than 31.5, says the NHS.

I personally prefer the Terry Wogan 'jump and if something wobbles that shouldn't, then you need to lose weight' guide - it definitely works for bellies.

Nope I'm caucasian. Going off of this: www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/why-is-my-waist-size-important/

My ribs are weird and go unnaturally low- past my belly button- so that doesn't really help. I've just been measuring the thinnest part.

gamerchick I dunno, sizes are bigger now, but I weigh 9.4 at 5'5 so a healthy BMI.

How do your ribs go last your belly button?! Can you post a pic?

Officially (in dressmaking terms anyway) your waist is where the crease is when you bend to the side. This is the same as halfway between hip and rib but easiest way to find the point. Everyone’s waist is in a different place really.

I wanna see pic of OP's belly, too.
These are instrucs from your link, OP. Pretty much the smallest point you can get to but relaxed, not sucking in or sticking tum out.

You have ribs which go past your belly button?

Your waist is not on your belly button line. It's the smallest point, mine is 2in above my belly button and I have a short torso.

Isn’t it supposed to be that your waist should be half your height or less, rather than a fixed 31”

Phew, that's okay then, I'm 8'3".

....toddles off for more wine and mini Cheddars

I'm not posting a photo, no, sorry! I hate my tummy, it's all stretchmarked and horrible. I mean the smaller ribs at the side go further than my tummy button. I've drawn a picture to explain.

My belly button aligns with my hips. My waist line is around two inches above. I also have a short torso. Sounds similar to codenamevillanella.

Ah sweetheart please don't worry about it, especially with your history. Your BMI is healthy (congratulations!), focus on that. There is no way with your BMI that you're overweight.

My bellybutton is around my smallest part of my waist. Didn't realise it varied, that's interesting.

My bellybutton is close to my hips than my waist.