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.

If your BMI is 21, the lower end of "normal" and you wear a size 10, it sounds as if you are a little over anxious about this,

I understand your worries OP. Even though my BMI was healthy and I was slim at 5ft 6 and 9 .7 stone , I had a waist of 36 inches when measured my the nurse. I lost over half a stone to get my waist down to 30 inches. I think some people put in on on their waist which isn't a good place to have fat.

Exactly. Even when I was 8 stone and running a ton, my waist was 26 inches. It’s now 28 inches and I’m only 9 stone and 5’7.5 inches tall. I keep a close eye on it, as I’ve been prediabetic a couple of times, and diabetes is rife in my wider family. Everyone is skinny, but the dreaded apple shape.