[zoesmom]

Alright! I am back with a new challenge for those interested in measuring your inches....this is a GREAT challenge for anyone who is stalled out on the scale, anyone who has already hit goal and is looking to tone, or even those looking to bulk up some. We don't care about the scale here! Well, okay, we do, but we are going to pretend that we don't!

Last time, I didn't have any rules other than don't measure more than once every two weeks at the very most. I know, kind of a slow challenge. But more often than that will not net you much of a change, in most cases. That being said, measure as frequently (or as infrequently) as you want, aiming for at least once a month.

Since inches are harder to gage when losing or bulking, we aren't aiming for a goal lost or gained...but we DO want to see movement. We DO want the tangible results of better fitting clothes and better confiendence.

So, I CHALLENGE YOU! Take up your tape measure and start charting your girth. Let's see where YOU are come Christmas. What a way to rock the socks off all those gatherings coming up in our near futures!

You can chart your progress HERE.

There are three million ways to properly measure, so my advice, measure in the same place and in the same position and in the buff (if possible) EVERY TIME...that is the most accurate way...it might not match that of the experts, but at least the results will be consistent, and THAT is what we are looking for!

Looking forard to the progress of any and all participants!

[Sum38]

I will measure myself tomorrow morning...it won't be pretty BUT I will brace myself and do the deed

BTW, it is "on view" only.

[lazylioness]

I am totally in!

How do I get added to the chart??

[zoesmom]

Thanks Sum!

WHEN will I learn I have to change the settings EVERYTIME I draft a new spreadsheet??? You'd THINK I know by now!

Should be good to go for adding names and measurements now...sorry about that!!! I'll be adding my measurements this evening...GULP!

[Only Believe]

Best wishes to all!

[Changergirl]

I'm definitely back in for this one. My next measurement day isn't until the 15th of September but I may add my last ones from the last challenge as starting measurements.

I just started doing 'Drop Two Sizes' so I really am hoping to see all my numbers go down.

A big thanks to zoesmom for setting up this and the last one.

[Davikatl16]

This is an awesome idea! I am a on a little haitus from hitting the gym with my friends right now, but I hope to get back at it as soon as I am all healed up. I went to Atlantic City on Sunday and did not wear sunscreen. The I haven't worn a bra with straps since Saturday because it has been too painful. >.<

[zoesmom]

hi changegirl and Davikat

[Sum38]

I decided to wait till Friday to do my measurements (maybe I will lose some inches before then )

[cleancowgirl]

I am in actually took my measurements this morning.

[zoesmom]

That's fine Sum I set it up so you can do it any week and anyone can join regardless of what week other's may be on

cleancowgirl - Welcome, welcome!

[NorthernChick13]

I am totally in! Thanks, zoesmom!!!! <3

[Rated]

I just joined. Thank you for making the spread sheet. I joined last time and dropped out due to being busy this summer. But I have been back on track for a week and plan to finish this one!

[zoesmom]

WOOHOO! northern and Rated!

[zoesmom]

Just read a few articles, and wanted to share what I learned from them

As we already know, weight loss is not linear. Not only that, but it is not evenly distributed on the body. We may lose from our limbs first or from our butt or our gut. Or, from all the above. A lot of that depends on genetics, okay, most of it depends on genetics.

Many times, we focus only on the scale, fretting over the pound lost and the four pounds gained. We have no way of determining (outside of a DEXA scan of course) whether those pounds lost or gained are from water weight, fat, or muscle. Each one makes a big difference in the overall healthy changes we are trying to make. Where as the scale is a good indicator on whether or not you are on the right track, it isn't the end all in whether or not you are actually losing fat, and afterall, isn't that our primary goal? To lose fat? What if those 4 pounds lost was muscle? We can't tell our body to only attack our thigh muscles or our back muscles, it might be attacking our heart muscle. And even if we could tell it to only attack our thigh muscles, why would we want to??? What if those 4 pounds lost was only water weight? Where as that is great in the short term, continued water weight loss can be a sign of dehydration or worse. In both instances, you will generally NOT see a change in size on a measuring tape (unless you are trying to bulk muscle up, that is a different beast though!)

But you will see a change in the tape measure if you are losing/gaining fat! By using a measuring tape, you can see if you are losing inches off your body. When you lose inches, chances are you are losing fat. And ultimately, that’s the whole point of losing weight.

So, while the scale is a great tool, the tape measure is a better one! Like many have long stated, a stall on the scale just means pull the tape measure out. Just thought I would add confirmation to what we have stated in the past.

If you have time, here are some informative reads. Enjoy!
WHY A MEASURING TAPE IS BETTER

WHY MEASURING FAT IS IMPORTANT

MEASURING FAT AND WEIGHT LOSS

LOSING INCHES, NOT WEIGHT