[quote]Sarev0k wrote:
I remember hearing last year on like CNN or some shit, this bullshit doctor ranting about how if your waist is over 34 inches, you’re at a high risk of heart attack, stroke etc, and its considered obese.
Because, you know, everones hips and ass are exactly the same. Oh and everyone is 5’8’’ too.[/quote]
I thought it was anything over 38" was an increased risk. And I have a strong feeling that this correlation is only relevant for individual that dont lift weights much.
Interesting thing about this thread is that there is a lot of variation in waist size for people of different heights, weights, and BF %. Im thinking wais measurements are only relevant if you are going to compare them to YOURSELF. (ie: if you can decrease your waist by 2" while maintaining your thigh and arm size, then you lost fat)[/quote]
Yeah I have found the variation interesting, some of the heavier guys with such small waists.
I agree its only really useful when compared to yourself, but its interesting none the less.
If I gain weight but my waist stays the same, I know i probably gained muscle.
At 6" 240 my waist around the belly button is about 41", pant’s size is 36" to 38". I store ALL of my fat there unfortunately. I also have a real wide waist and hips. When I was 190 at 13% bodyfat my waist was still 35" and I was pretty lean at that point.
[quote]Doyle wrote:
If I gain weight but my waist stays the same, I know i probably gained muscle.[/quote]
This is only useful over the long term though (not something to monitor under a “microscope” EVERY week)…and as someone else already pointed out, I think that frequently measuring the waist only adds to the stress and takes away the joy of bodybuilding. One week you may be a certain measurement, but then 2 weeks later it may go up somewhat (e.g. bloated with water retention via eating more carbs, bad bowl movements etc) and this would lead to needlessly feeling disappointed. Also, newbies tend to overanalyze these results and would end up making rash/hasty decisions.
I can’t remember where I read it once, but a study found that positivity (mind frame) increases testosterone, and vice versa (negativity lowers it). So if your training is very complicated (to you) and you’re constantly stressing about it (e.g. stressing about getting “fatter” every week), you likely will not make as good gains as you would just enjoying it.
I think that skin-fold measurements (callipers) are more accurate for overall body fat (to compare with yourself and to know when you’re loosing/gaining fat). BUT, you shouldn’t take the measurements as accurate…it’s just good to use them so that you know that fat isn’t increasing too quickly, or to know that you are loosing fat.
Using these methods (bf to work out lean body mass) is like a double edged sword, at times they can be useful (like when working them out on a monthly basis or so), but they also can cause people to needlessly stress/worry.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
There is no way in hell my waist will ever be only 32" unless I have a part of my hip bone removed. [/quote]
Now there is an idea. Waist reduction surgery. Could be the next cottage industry. Break the hip bone on both sides, take out chunks, and bolt it back together–smaller. 28" waists will be common-place. Can’t wait.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
There is no way in hell my waist will ever be only 32" unless I have a part of my hip bone removed. [/quote]
Now there is an idea. Waist reduction surgery. Could be the next cottage industry. Break the hip bone on both sides, take out chunks, and bolt it back together–smaller. 28" waists will be common-place. Can’t wait. [/quote]
Psh… just wear a corset.
I am 265ish at 6’2 and am right around a 40. I could stand to drop a little BF, but I dont expect to be anywhere under a 36 after I clean it up. At my lightest, most anorexic, I was 6’1 168 with a 33in waist.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
There is no way in hell my waist will ever be only 32" unless I have a part of my hip bone removed. [/quote]
Now there is an idea. Waist reduction surgery. Could be the next cottage industry. Break the hip bone on both sides, take out chunks, and bolt it back together–smaller. 28" waists will be common-place. Can’t wait. [/quote]
mmm actually this has already been done. Talia, the Mexican singer is known for having some of her ribs taken out making her waist really tiny.
I range from 33-35 inches normally. When your spinal erectors and obliques grow from deadlifts, free standing rows, squats and the such your waist will get bigger even if you aren’t adding much fat. Just a fact of life right there. Numbers really mean jack it’s how your body looks in the mirror that matters.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
There is no way in hell my waist will ever be only 32" unless I have a part of my hip bone removed. [/quote]
Now there is an idea. Waist reduction surgery. Could be the next cottage industry. Break the hip bone on both sides, take out chunks, and bolt it back together–smaller. 28" waists will be common-place. Can’t wait. [/quote]
mmm actually this has already been done. Talia, the Mexican singer is known for having some of her ribs taken out making her waist really tiny.[/quote]
Ribs?!? But Professor X recommended I remove part of my hip bone, not my ribs. I’ll have to get a second opinion.
[quote]Doyle wrote:
If I gain weight but my waist stays the same, I know i probably gained muscle.[/quote]
This is only useful over the long term though (not something to monitor under a “microscope” EVERY week)…and as someone else already pointed out, I think that frequently measuring the waist only adds to the stress and takes away the joy of bodybuilding. One week you may be a certain measurement, but then 2 weeks later it may go up somewhat (e.g. bloated with water retention via eating more carbs, bad bowl movements etc) and this would lead to needlessly feeling disappointed. Also, newbies tend to overanalyze these results and would end up making rash/hasty decisions.
I can’t remember where I read it once, but a study found that positivity (mind frame) increases testosterone, and vice versa (negativity lowers it). So if your training is very complicated (to you) and you’re constantly stressing about it (e.g. stressing about getting “fatter” every week), you likely will not make as good gains as you would just enjoying it.
I think that skin-fold measurements (callipers) are more accurate for overall body fat (to compare with yourself and to know when you’re loosing/gaining fat). BUT, you shouldn’t take the measurements as accurate…it’s just good to use them so that you know that fat isn’t increasing too quickly, or to know that you are loosing fat.
Using these methods (bf to work out lean body mass) is like a double edged sword, at times they can be useful (like when working them out on a monthly basis or so), but they also can cause people to needlessly stress/worry.[/quote]
[quote]BlakedaMan wrote:
15%??? Fiddlesticks! In that avatar you definitely look <10% to me.
[quote]kingbeef323 wrote:
5’10, 205lbs, 15% BF, 29.5" waist in the morning. Sub 28" at my leanest.[/quote]
[/quote]
I carry most of my fat on my lower back. Plus, I think the pose/lighting makes me look a bit leaner than I really am. Appreciate the compliment though, bud
[quote]BlakedaMan wrote:
15%??? Fiddlesticks! In that avatar you definitely look <10% to me.
[quote]kingbeef323 wrote:
5’10, 205lbs, 15% BF, 29.5" waist in the morning. Sub 28" at my leanest.[/quote]
[/quote]
I carry most of my fat on my lower back. Plus, I think the pose/lighting makes me look a bit leaner than I really am. Appreciate the compliment though, bud[/quote]
Pose and Lighting, cmon man 202lbs and 29.5 waist…thats lean and you know it.
6’ @ 225lbs and a 36" waist. When I was a 10st (140lb) weakling I think my waist was about 28"or so. I hope I can get down to about 32", but I don’t plan on doing that for a long time.
[quote]BlakedaMan wrote:
15%??? Fiddlesticks! In that avatar you definitely look <10% to me.
[quote]kingbeef323 wrote:
5’10, 205lbs, 15% BF, 29.5" waist in the morning. Sub 28" at my leanest.[/quote]
[/quote]
I carry most of my fat on my lower back. Plus, I think the pose/lighting makes me look a bit leaner than I really am. Appreciate the compliment though, bud[/quote]
Pose and Lighting, cmon man 202lbs and 29.5 waist…thats lean and you know it.[/quote]
Ha, maybe I’m a bit too modest.
[quote]heavysession wrote:
i didnt have a 29 inch waist when i was 140 how do you possibly still have such a small waist, thats insane![/quote]
Man, I’m glad I came across this forum. I’ve always thought I was way out of shape in the waist. Right now I’m 6’1", 205, and about a 34 inch waist. At my biggest I was 237 with a 38 inch waist.
