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Photograph by Jennifer Lawler

Taking your measurements ................................................................

A less precise but also helpful way to keep track of your body fat is to take

your measurements. You don’t get a percentage, but you can use the num-

bers to keep track of inches lost (or gained, if you’re trying to pack on

muscle), which can be motivating in and of itself. If you’re losing inches,

chances are, you’re dropping body fat. Some common places to measure

include across the middle of your chest, the center of your upper arm, the

smallest part of your waist, the widest part of your hips, the widest part of

your thigh, and the widest part of your ankle. You can write these numbers

on the chart at the end of this chapter.

Calculating your body mass index ....................................................

Yet another method of estimating how “fat” you are is body mass index(BMI),

a number derived from your height and weight. To determine your BMI, turn

to Table 2-1, locate your height in inches, and then move across that row

until you find your weight. The number at the top of that column is your BMI.

Figure 2-1:
Getting
pinched
with
calipers.

Chapter 2: Testing Your Fitness 21