Why Measurements?
Your measurements give Shae accurate details of your body shape to create your avatar. Your avatar is the virtual ‘You’ that Shae uses to analyse and assess your natural tendencies and your gene expression.
With an accurate avatar, Shae precision calculates results specifically for your body as it is right now. Because in 2 weeks, it might be a little different.
Why Don’t Other Apps Use Body Measurements Like This?
Most apps are not truly precision personalized. They will base recommendations on a body type or unfortunately sometimes only on your goals and not your body at all.
Time to Get Started!
You will need the following and your app opened to the Personal Health Assessment: Measurements section!
Soft Tape
Current Height
Current Weight
30 Minutes
01. Head
Forehead
Keeping your head held high and looking forward, measure the circumference of your cranium along the line of your eyebrows, above your ears and around the largest part of your head. Try to keep your hair out of the way or keep the tape measure tight to minimize the inclusion of your hair in the measurement.
- Remove ponytails or hair accessories for this measurement.
- Look into a mirror for this measurement and make sure the tape is parallel to the ground the whole way around.
Jaw
Open your mouth slightly to feel the indent created at the top of your jaw bone (near your ear canal). With your mouth closed, measure from this point to the tip of your chin by following the jaw bone. Only measure to the tip of the chin; not all the way around your jaw. Make sure your head and neck are held straight and high and that your jaw is neither clenched nor held open.
- Stand in front of a mirror so that you can measure to the centre of your chin.
Neck
Measure the circumference of your neck at the smallest point. This is usually right in the middle of your neck. For men, this will be under the Adam’s apple. Make sure your back and neck are straight. Keep the tape measure snug against your skin, but don’t pull so tightly that your throat is constricted.
- Use the mirror again for this measurement so your neck can remain relaxed in a neutral position.
Did You Know
The amount of grey hair you have, in comparison to your age can be a sign of stress but it can also indicate demineralization, hypothyroidism or hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies like B12 and other health states.
02. Upper Body
Chest
In a standing position with your back straight and your head held high, wrap the tape measure around the upper part of your chest directly under your armpits. This will be above the pectoral muscles or breasts. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, adherent yet not pulled tight. Take the measurement at half exhalation.
- Breathe in and then breathe out. When you’re feeling relaxed and not feeling like you have to push more breath out to get it out, this is half exhalation – when you take the measurement.
- Hold the tape position tight between your fingers at the measurement point. When you move to look at the measure you’ll still see the accurate measurement.
Ribcage
In a standing position with your back straight and your head held high, wrap the tape measure around your rib cage directly under your pectoral muscles or breasts. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, and adherent yet not pulled tight. Take the measurement at half exhalation.
- If you are wearing a bra, check that this measurement does not include underwires. You should feel the tape on your skin, not your bra.
Waist
In a standing position, measure the circumference of your waist at its smallest point. This is usually right under where the last rib bone can be felt. Keep your back straight and take the measurement at half exhalation. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, and adherent yet not pulled tight.
- Find your lowest rib by gently pressing on your side. You should feel bones that you can’t press and then beneath that you will find no resistance when you press. This is the right level to take the measurement.
- Stand tall and take the measurement in the mirror or firmly hold the tape between your fingers at the measurement point to take the measure.
Gluteus
In a standing position, looking forward with your back straight, measure the circumference of your gluteus at the widest point. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, and adherent yet not pulled tight.
- Stand tall and take the measurement in the mirror or firmly hold the tape between your fingers at the measurement point to take the measure. Leaning forward to look at the tape can make this measurement bigger.
- Be sure to measure the very biggest level of your booty at the back. This should be in line with your public bone at the front.
Did You Know
Dry, cracked heels are often a sign of vitamin deficiency more than the need for a pedicure! Vitamins A, C and E help skin rejuvenation, Omega3 fatty acids help with blood circulation and skin hydration, and zinc helps with cell growth and wound healing. Dehydration could also be an issue.
03. Arms
Elbow
Wrap the tape measure around your elbow at the fold line. Hold your arm out straight and measure the circumference of your elbow. Make sure the tape measure is adherent to the skin but not pulled so tight that it squeezes your arm.
- Drape the end of the tape over your elbow and slide it under and back to the top again for a simple, quick method.
Wrist
Measure the circumference of the wrist of your non-dominant hand. This is the hand that you don’t normally use for writing. Take the measurement directly below the wrist bone, where you would wear a wrist watch. Keep your hand relaxed, ensuring that the tape measure is adherent to the skin but not pulled so tight that it squeezes your wrist.
- Use the same draping method for a quick and easy measure.
- Allow your fingers and hands to relax so there is no tension in the wrist you are measuring.
Hand Length
Measure the length of your non-dominant hand. This is the hand that you don’t normally use for writing. Take the measurement from the crease that is closest to the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. Keep your palm facing up with your fingers held together but not tensed.
- if you are using a soft tape measure, hold the end of the tape against the crease of your palm closest to your fingers. Then let the tap drape over the top of your middle finger to easily read the tape.
Palm
Measure the length of the palm of your non-dominant hand. This is the hand that you don’t normally use for writing. Take the measurement from the crease of your palm to the bottom crease of your middle finger. Keep your palm facing up with your fingers held together but not tensed.
- Do this measurement at the same time as your hand length for consistency and ease.
Did You Know
Flying can cause jet lag, which affects mental function and memory, as well as weakening the immune system. There’s also more radiation exposure at those heights – commercial aircrews have more radiation exposure than nuclear power workers!
04. Legs
Mid-thigh
This measurement can be taken either standing or sitting. First, measure the length of your thigh to find the mid-way point half way down your thigh. Then, measure the circumference of your thigh placing the tape measure on the mid-way point. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, and adherent yet not pulled tight.
- Measure the length of your thigh from your hip crease to the middle of your knee.
- Find your hip crease by sitting down. When you sit, place the end of the tape in the corner of the 90 degree angle between your upper thigh and your torso. Then still sitting, measure the length until the end of your knee. Halve this measurement and find that level on your thigh. Then drape the tape measure around your thigh to get the circumference measurement.
Knee
In a standing position with your feet flat on the floor and your weight evenly distributed on both feet, measure the circumference of your knee at the center of the patella on the front of the knee and along the crease in the back. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, and adherent yet not pulled tight.
- Some knees are not entirely straight. Place the tape across the crease at the back of your knee and bring it around the front to take the measure, over the middle of your kneecap.
Calf
This measurement can be taken either standing or sitting. Measure the circumference of your calf at the center of your calf where the muscle is the largest. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and straight, and adherent yet not pulled tight.
- Take a few measurements at different levels of your calf until you find the widest point.
- Kneeling on the opposite knee can be a comfortable position if your calf muscles are not very flexible.
Ankle
In either a standing or a sitting position, with your feet flat on the ground and your weight evenly balanced on both feet, measure the circumference of your ankle directly above the ankle bone. Make sure that the tape measure is adherent to the skin but not pulled tight.
- Place the tape horizontally just above the ankle bones on either side of your ankle.
Foot Length
In a seated position, with your feet flat on the ground and your weight evenly balanced on both feet, measure the length of your foot from your heel to the tip of your longest toe. It could be useful to press your heel against a wall or other hard, flat surface for accuracy.
- Sitting on a chair, place your heel against the leg of the chair for a nice solid start to your measurement.
- If you have a ruler handy, place the end of it against the wall and stand on it to take the measurement. Remember to take off any length if there is an extra part of the ruler before the measuring section starts.
How Often Do I Measure Up?
As your body changes, Shae recalculates so that you always have the most precise health and wellness advice available.
If you’re starting out we recommend every 1-2 weeks as you body is likely going to change.
When you’re ‘on a roll’ with your personalized health, remeasuring every 4-6 weeks will keep you on track!
You’re Done!
Now that you know the tricks to accurate and quick measurements you’re well equipped to keep Shae updated with exactly what’s going on in your body!
Remember, the more accurate the information that you give Shae, the more precise your health and wellness recommendations can be!
