Being in the Triple Digits Club I feel like I have a challenge figuring out how to measure myself accurately -- because I'm very "squishy."

I've got so much "give" that I can change the measurement by 5 inches, by pulling hard, or letting the measuring tape go slack. But I really would like to do it the same way every time, so I can track my progress, and I need some advice.

Do you measure with clothing on, or not? If clothing, do you wear the same clothes each time?

For women, do you measure with your bra on? The same bra? -- some have more compression than others. Do you measure underneath also?

The waist is my hardest part because I'm not really sure where my waist is, and all the squishiness and fluffiness just confuses me -- do you pull the tape as if it's a snug pant waist band? Or what do you do?

Hips aren't as squishy (I'm a hiker and walker), but trying to get the exact location each time is difficult, plus getting the measuring tape to be level all the way around also.

I'd prefer to do this myself, as I get a little embarrassed with the large numbers.

What other measurements do you find helpful? Thighs, arms, wrists?

OK, thanks for your help. Kat

Belly button is a good point of reference for waist. And, if you stand with your hands alongside your body, where your wrist hits is good for the hips.

Pull so it's neither slack nor tight. Easier over clothes, but wear the same clothes every time (until they're too big, then the same new stuff, every time, as you go down).

Bust and hips are easier if you have a mirror, so you can see that the tape is horizontal. Once you get the hang of it, you can probably do it without the mirror.

I have a measuring tape that's 120 inches--you can get them at a fabric shop. It's a psychological boost to have to have a big long tail on the tape, as you measure yourself.

I don't measure at my belly button because it sits below my pelvic bones. I measure just above those. One thing you can do is measure other parts like arm and thigh. They tend to be easier to measure and also tell a story.

I have the same problem, so here is what I measure:
right thigh (I have a reference freckle, so I always
put the tape measure there; and left calf - same thing. I also do one upper arm. Then I do what I call 'butt, tummy, waist'. I measure where my upper legs are the widest (hips), where my stomach droops the most at rest, and where my waist is supposed to be. Then I do ribs (right below my boobs), then bust, which is around largest part of everything, no matter how saggy, and my neck. Its a lot, but you really do see good results.

This is what I do: I pull the tape snug, but not so much that it is indenting the skin. I don't wear any clothing except on the bust reading. I use 120 inch tape that I got at JoAnn Fabrics.

Hips: Fullest part. Around the biggest part of my butt and straight across the hip bones (or where the hips bones would be).

Waist: The smallest part where it naturally curves in. Mine has always been defined so I use that. YMMV.

Tummy: I don't measure this, but I would do the fullest part in the front and straight around the back.

Chest: Where the bra band would go.

Bust: Over the fullest part of the bust. This is the only one I wear clothes for. I wear a more structured bra with underwire and supportive cups. My chest has totally deflated so it is hard to get a measurement without wearing a bra. Sports bras tend to squish everything down and out so I don't measure in those.

Right leg: I measure at the widest part of my thigh. It is obvious on me as there is a lump in my inner thigh. If your legs are thinner and not as obvious, I would measure down 2-4 inches from the leg crease and do that same thing every time.

Right arm: Midway across the bicep.

As a funny aside, a few years ago I got down to 180. I thought I had a tumor. It was my HIP BONE!!! LOL!

Thanks, lots of good suggestions here. I definitely will add my thigh (and find a reference freckle!) because my thighs are "relatively" tight.

I will be so happy when my hip bone shows up! HAHAHA!

I measure at the smallest part of my waist for waist measurements, and for hip measurements I use my hip bone as the starting point and go around (this is the widest part of my hips!). Hip measurements drive me crazy, because so many diagrams seem to tell you to take the measurement around your thighs instead.

This video is a good example: The place they put the tape is WAY below her actual hip bones. For heaven's sake, if it's below your privates that's not your hips it's your legs!
If they actually mean to take the measurement around the thighs, why not just say thighs???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgi1ULoeRFo

I never measure. I'm too lazy and I just know if I eat OP, it's going to go in the right direction. I weigh every day just to keep myself mentally in the game.