where to measure my waist

[Tillandsia]

do I measure my waist at its narrow point or just above my hip bones? Thank you.

[Maxit]

The old rule of thumb is that if you are a female, you measure at the narrow place (inch or 2 above your navel) and if you are a male, just above your hip bones.   Where ever you measure, just be consistent.  The lower measurement will help you track belly fat (which has health implications).

[Heybales]

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@Tillandsia wrote:

do I measure my waist at its narrow point or just above my hip bones? Thank you.

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Depends on what the purpose is.

Several bodyfat calc's that can be decent estimates have waist as narrowest part, wherever that may be, and abdomen as belly button.

http://www.gymgoal.com/dtool_fat.html

Since those formulas rely mostly on different body parts, the average can be upwards of 5% accurate.

[SunsetRunner]

Like Heybales said, "it depends".  Several sites, including MyFitnessPal and the University of Texas Medical school say to measure the waist at its narrowest point between the rib cage and hips.  If you are calculating a Waist-to-Height ratio you can use something like http://www.health-calc.com/ which says to measure your waist at a point about one inch above the belly button (which is about what the MFP/UT point would be).  My suggestion is no matter what, if you are planning on using this measurement as an indication of how well you are doing over the long-term that you be consistent.  Otherwise it is like taking your weight on different scales.  They may be close, but they also might vary somewhat and that would really cause confusion.

[SunsetRunner]

measure both to keep track of where the weight is and where your losing it...waist and hips...to include buttocks!  🙂