Taking circumference measurements is part of my job as a personal trainer.? My clients often ask what their waist measurement should be.? The reason I take measurements is because there isn’t a standard.? Who wants the pressure of needing to lose “x” inches from their waist in order to fit the mold?
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Your waist to hip ratio, however, is an important number to know as an indicator of your health.? The waist measurement is taken at the smallest circumference below the rib cage and above the navel.? (The picture above is inaccurate in this case.)? The hip circumference is taken as the widest part of your hips including your buttocks.
The waist measurement is divided by the hip measurement.? Ratios above 0.95 for men and 0.86 for women place you at increased risk of diseases like hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease.? It’s belly fat we need to worry about!
For many years, the ideal measurements for women were 36-24-36.? While that may be ideal for Barbie, it’s quite impossible for the real woman.? So, stop pressuring yourself to fit an unrealistic and nonexistent standard.? If you need to lose inches from your waist or hips, do it to improve your health!
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