Measuring Your Waist

Did you know that if most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you’re at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes?

Measuring waist circumference is a tool helps screen for possible health risks that come with overweight and obesity.

For MEN:  your risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 40 inches.

For WOMEN: your risk goes up with waist size that is greater than 35 inches.

To correctly measure your waist, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones.  Measure your waist just after you breathe out.  The tape measure should be not-too-tight and not-too-loose.   

For guys it is a little easier to know your waist size because that is how you purchase your pants-by waist and length.  But for women, waist size is not included when purchasing clothes so years could go by without ever knowing this measurement!

Although it might be a little humbling, I recommend measuring your waist just to get a baseline.  At least you will know where you are at?

The best way to whittle that waist?  Believe it or not, it is not by doing crunches. 

Consistent cardiovascular exercise combined with a healthy, balanced diet is your best bet. Whittle away.