The ideal ratio of waist, hips and your health. Waist to hip ratio

How to measure your hips, waist and bust

How to sew clothes so that they are comfortable and in size? The first thing to start with is to take measurements correctly. Today we will talk about the main ones:

• Breast size
• Waist size
• hip size

We measure the circumference of the chest

If you want to sew a jacket or shirt, you need to know your measurements and we will start with the bust. To determine your chest size, all you need is a measuring tape and a pencil to write on. Wrap the tape around your chest and measure the widest part of it. If you want details, read on.

First we need a centimeter tape. This is the most convenient tool for taking such measurements. If there is no ribbon at hand, take a thick thread (you can use wool for knitting) and measure the volume with it. Then attach the thread to the ruler and get the necessary numbers.
measure breast size.

Call a friend for help, mother, sister, husband or any person capable of holding a measuring tape in their hands. Since it is not very easy to carry out such measurements on your own. If there is no assistant at hand, you will have to contrive a little, but this is also possible. Just make sure the tape doesn't slide down your back while you measure.
measure breast size

Take off your shirt(jacket, blouse, any outerwear), but leave your bra. Any extra fabric will add extra volume to you. Since you will be wearing the bra under your clothes, the size of the bra should be included in your measurements.
measure breast size

Wrap the measuring tape around your chest. Position it so that the tape is horizontal to the ground and under your armpits. Position the band so that it runs across the widest part of your chest.
Do not hold your breath, stand straight and relaxed. Make sure the tape is not twisted.
measure breast size

Look in the mirror to see the measurement result. Or pinch the place where the tape crosses with its beginning with your fingers and find out the girth of your chest.
For some products, you will also need to measure the girth under the bust. Measurements are taken according to the same principle, right under the breast.

We measure the circumference of the chest

Your waist size is an important parameter used in everything from choosing clothes to finding out if you are overweight. Luckily, it's easy to measure and you can do it with a regular measuring tape.

In short
To figure out your waist size, first lift or take off your shirt (shirt, blouse, whatever), then stand up straight and exhale. In this position, hold the end of the measuring tape at your navel and wrap it around the narrowest part of your waist. Make sure the measuring tape is snug against your body and parallel to the ground. The tape must intersect with its origin. At the intersection, we get the size of your waist.

Take off or lift up your clothes. To take accurate measurements, you need to make sure that the measuring tape touches your bare stomach. We remove all clothes that can interfere with us.

Find your waist. Use your fingers to find the top of your thighs and the base of your chest. Your waist is the soft, fleshy area between these two bony parts. It is also the narrowest part of your body and is often at or just above your belly button.


Wrap the measuring tape around your waist. Stand up straight and breathe deeply and calmly. Hold the beginning of the measuring tape at your navel and wrap it around your waist. The measuring tape should be parallel to the floor and snug against your body without cutting into your skin.
Make sure the measuring tape is straight and not twisted anywhere, especially at the back.


Getting measurements. Exhale and then check the measurements on the tape. The number indicating the volume of your waist will be in the place where it touches the zero mark (the beginning of the tape).


Double check your measurements. Repeat the measurement again to get an accurate result. If it differs from the first time, measure it a third time and take the average of the three numbers.

We measure the hips

Accurate hip measurements are important for tailoring. To measure your hips, take off your outer clothing, put your feet together, take the measuring tape, wrap it around your hips at the widest point. The point where the tape will intersect with its origin will be the volume of your hips.

Detailed instructions on how to measure the volume of the hips:

Find a full length mirror. Although the hips are easier to measure on your own than other parts of the body, a mirror will help you make sure that the measuring tape is not twisted. But even without a mirror, everything will work out.


Take off your clothes. Remove outer clothing: trousers, skirt, dress, etc. Because no matter how thin it is, it will add extra volume to you. We leave the linen, because we always wear it.

Put your feet together. Standing with legs apart, you will not get an accurate result. The maximum can be put on the width of the shoulders, but better together.


Hips not waist. It sounds silly, but sometimes people confuse these concepts. Waist is the narrowest part of your body from shoulders to buttocks. The hips are the widest part under the waist.


Looking for the widest. To obtain the volume of the hips, we are looking for their widest part. For the perfect fit of future clothes, it is very important to find the widest part. To do this, use a centimeter tape, applying it lower or higher by a centimeter until you find the desired point.


Take a measuring tape. Hold one end of the tape on one thigh. It doesn't matter which side you start on. You can also pull it closer to the middle if that makes it easier for you.

Wrap the tape around your hips. Just be careful not to twist the tape.


Look in the mirror. Make sure the tape is flat and parallel to the floor.


Press the tape against your body. The tape should not dig into the skin or dangle freely. You can use your finger as a tension gauge. Only one finger should fit between the body and the tape.


We get the result. We use a mirror to look at the result while the tape is on the hips, or we pinch the place where the tape crosses with its beginning with our fingers.
We record the measurements. Now we know the volume of the hips. But for tailoring, we need other parameters, for example, the girth of the thigh. Like volume, thigh circumference is measured across the widest part of the leg.

• Like your hips, you measure your thigh at the thickest part of your leg.
• The length of the crotch of the trousers is determined by the inside of the leg from the crotch to the place where the trousers should end. If you already have trousers of a suitable length, then you can determine the length of the inseam from them.

Add a few inches when sewing. When you sew clothes, you should not use the taken measurements in the original form, as the clothes should not be too tight, otherwise you will have difficulty moving. Therefore, to make clothes comfortable, you must add a couple of centimeters to the measurements.

• It is necessary to slightly increase the value of the measures for two reasons. The first and already mentioned is that the clothes are comfortable. And the second is that an increase in measurements may be required to create a new clothing design. For example, you want to sew a fluffy flowing skirt, and then you need to increase the measurement of the hips significantly more than when sewing an a-line skirt.
• The elasticity of the fabric used when sewing also affects the allowance used. If the fabric has very good stretch, then you probably don't need much extra.
• Most ready-made patterns will have instructions on how many extra centimeters you need to add to your measurements to determine the correct size. However, if you are building a pattern yourself, then it would be better for you to add 5-10 cm to the volume of the hips (depending on how tight-fitting the clothes should be).
• If you are a curvaceous person, then to provide additional freedom of movement, you can increase the measure of the hips even more.
  Remember, when buying a fabric, look at its composition, if possible, touch it live. If it contains elastane or other additives that give it a stretch effect, this must be taken into account when sewing.

Remember, when buying a fabric, look at its composition, if possible, touch it live. If it contains elastane or other additives that give it a stretch effect, this must be taken into account when sewing.

Today my friend and I argued about the waist, how to measure it correctly. I always measured in the narrowest place, it is almost under my chest, and she was taught along the navel, parallel to the ground, hence the question, how do YOU ​​measure the waist?

I found an excerpt on this topic, maybe it will be useful to someone)))

How to measure your body correctly

It is often necessary to measure here or there to track progress in training and see if the diet is effective. Also for competition.

Let's sort the measurements.

What to measure?

To clearly present the features of the figure, you must have the following measurements.

Breast volume.
Volume under the bust.
Waist.
Volume at the navel.
Hip volume.
The volume of the thigh (leg).
Volume above the knee.
The volume of the calf muscle.
Hand volume.
Wrist size.
Ankle volume.
These parameters will help to fully evaluate the figure. If there is reluctance to measure everywhere, then the list can be reduced to the following parameters.
Breast volume.
Waist.
Hip volume.
The volume of the thigh (leg).

How to measure?

Breast volume.
Measured at the most protruding point of the chest. Tape measure parallel to the floor! Measured while exhaling. (Breathe, measure).
Volume under the bust.
It is actually measured at the point where the mammary gland ends. The conditions are the same. Exhale, the tape is parallel to the floor.
Waist.
Measured at the narrowest point!
Depends on the features of the figure, whether your waist will be closer to chest level or to hip level. And again we measure on the exhale. The stomach does not need to be strongly drawn in or protruded. The tape should fit snugly, parallel to the floor. But don't drag it out.
Volume at the navel.
The same as with the waist, but at the level of the navel.
Hip volume.
Everything is a little more complicated here. The volume of the hips is measured at the most protruding point of the buttocks! No riding breeches, bones, etc. Tape fits snugly, but do not overtighten.
If the stomach is still included in the volume of the hips, then we measure with it.
The volume of the thigh (leg).
Place the foot on a raised platform (e.g. chair) so that the angle under the knee is approximately 90 degrees. Measurements should be made approximately 5-7 cm from the inguinal region. Do not strain your leg.
Volume above the knee.
Either by analogy with the hip, or standing. Measurements are taken directly above the kneecap. In the case of "standing", the tape is parallel to the floor.
The volume of the calf muscle.
Measured while standing. The leg is relaxed. On the widest part in the area from the knee to the ankle. The tape is parallel to the floor.
Hand volume.
The arm is free along the body. Measure about 10 cm from the armpit! It's better if someone helps you. The tape is parallel to the floor.
Wrist size.
Measured immediately after the brush. Very tight! If objectively there is a fatty layer, then the tape must be tightened even more. (Must drink).
Ankle volume.
Standing on a flat floor. It is measured directly above 2 protruding bones. Tape fits snugly and is parallel to the floor.

Taking measurements of your waist is necessary not only for the selection and tailoring of new clothes, but also for assessing the state of health. Well, if you are engaged in the physical improvement of your body, then how else to track even the most minimal success of a weight loss event? The fact is that it is difficult to determine the positive dynamics by eye, and floor scales show only a change in weight, but not volumes. Measurements are the most reliable and reliable way to determine the effectiveness of your weight loss program. Therefore, if you are actively exercising, eating rationally, and the sizes do not change, it means that your training program is not working, and it needs to be urgently changed. And about how to correctly and with what help to measure the waist, read further in this article.

When to measure your waist

Any measurements, including the waist, must be done in the morning, immediately after visiting the restroom. The fact is that by the end of the day there may be slight swelling and an increase in body volume due to the food eaten during the day. Therefore, evening measurements are not entirely correct.

fixtures

To measure your waist, you will need:

• a flexible measuring tape, otherwise called a sewing “centimeter”;
• a large mirror, preferably full-length;
• simple cord or braid.

Waist definition

Remove all clothing completely so that even underwear does not create extra bumps and does not distort the measurement result. Stand in front of the mirror straight, without tension, maintaining your usual posture, with your hands down. Turn your legs so that your heels are touching and your toes are turned out.

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Feel the pelvic bones with your fingers. In the gap between them and the lower ribs we find the narrowest part of our torso. This will be our waist. There is a very common misconception among Soviet-style tailors that the waist is in line with the navel. In no case do not focus on the navel, the measurement results will be erroneous. The position of the waist for each person is individual and depends only on the anatomical features of the body structure.

Waist measurement

Take measurements only on exhalation. Loosely attach the tape measure to the waist parallel to the floor, without pulling. It is very important not to allow the centimeter to sag or skew - it must be located horizontally along the entire length. At the same time, we do not retract the stomach, but it is also not worth sticking it out. The place where the "0" intersects with the other end of the tape will be your waist measurement.

For the reliability of the result, take three measurements and calculate the average result. And you can also resort to the old grandmother's method of taking accurate measurements. In this case, the waist line is fixed with a thin braid horizontally to the floor. Tie tightly, but be careful not to overtighten. We apply a centimeter over the braid and determine the size. That's all!

How often to take measurements

If you want to control your changes, keep a diary of measurements where you will write down your measurements. You need to measure not earlier than every 3 weeks. You should not do it more often, as you risk not noticing the difference in numbers.

And don't forget, waist measurement plays a huge role in your health. The critical waist thickness for women should not exceed 88 cm, and for men - 102 cm. If you get results close to these or more than these values, be sure to consult a doctor. Such a result may indicate obesity and a serious threat to health. The doctor will draw up a plan of diagnostic measures for you and help in solving the problem.

Why is it important to measure your waist size, and how waist size affects health. Everyone knows that being overweight affects the development of many diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some types of cancer.

What are the options to control your weight and make sure you are within a healthy range. There are two easy ways. First, calculate the body mass index using a fairly simple formula. We will not dwell on this in this article. The second simple way is to measure the volume of our waist.

Why is it important to know your waist size?

The measurement of the waist circumference is the most important as we can check the amount of excess fat accumulated in the waist area. Why is it important to know.

Scientists from the World Cancer Research Center (WCRF UK) have shown that excessive fatness in the abdomen is closely associated with colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

The following parameters are considered normal

• Women - waist measurement 80 cm or less
• Men - waist measurement 94 cm or less

With an increase in body fat around the waist, the risk of heart disease and diabetes increases. If your measurements are more than: women 88 cm, and men 102 cm, then you need to urgently take action! According to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the last two numbers correspond to a very pronounced risk.

If your waist circumference exceeds these figures, then you should pay attention to your lifestyle and adjust your diet. It may seem that it is easiest to maintain these indicators at a younger age. It is extremely important to monitor your waist at any age.

Nobody warned it would be easy

To maintain a waist, you must follow the best recommendations for maintaining a healthy weight.

1. Before going to the supermarket, plan your meals and make a list. Do not be distracted by tempting packaging. As a rule, the brighter and more attractive the picture, the more harmful the product.
2. Don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry. Have a good lunch before going grocery shopping. You won't overbuy and save money.
3. Keep a bowl of healthy and wholesome food on the kitchen table that won't harm you. A vase with apples, vegetables cut into strips. You will eat more fruits and vegetables.
4. Watch your portion sizes. Look at your palm. Here is the size of your portion - nature itself has taken care of it.
5. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Dancing, gymnastics, gym, wellness walk - make friends with them!
6. Stay on track! You must have a clear goal and the right motivation.

At all times, starting from antiquity, waist circumference was considered an important indicator of health and beauty.

How to measure your waist correctly

Usually the waist is measured at the narrowest point, but if this is difficult, measure the area in the middle between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the pelvic bones, this is usually at the level of the navel or slightly higher. This is the point for measuring the waist.
Waist is measured in light clothing or on bare skin.
Stand up straight and take the measurement as you exhale. You do not need to strongly retract the stomach, the exhalation should be calm.
Take a good tape measure that doesn't stretch. The centimeter should be parallel to the floor and not compress the skin. You may have to make some efforts to achieve the perfect waist, but the result is worth it!