I sew, and came across this article a couple of points on how to make your "duct-tape double" dressform. While it doesn't seem like I have much time to do any sewing lately, I thought, "Wouldn't this be an incredible way to measure your diet progress?"
You could make a duct-tape double on your quest to a healthy weight, and then as you get smaller, you can tell how your size/shape has changed as you get smaller by putting your former body "self" on and seeing the difference. I think I'll make one this weekend!
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00002.asp
--Janis