Tonnage, which is the sum of bone mass and muscle mass, plays an important role in determining the amount of weight on a theoretical level. This can help people understand the right weight for them, based on their size and build. There are three broad categories of tonnage: small, medium and large. Each of these categories varies based on your gender. You can determine the category to which you belong by simply measuring the circumference of your wrist or the width of your elbow. In step number 1 below we begin to outline each of the methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Measure the tonnage by the circumference of the wrist
Step 1. Wrap a tape measure around your wrist (right or left)
Take the end of the tape measure and wrap it around your wrist.
Step 2. Read the number corresponding to the circumference of your seat
You can use this measurement to determine your tonnage, following the table below: {| border = "3" style = "text-align: center; margin: 1em auto 1em auto;" | + Measure your size using your wrist circumference ! scope = "col" | ! scope = "col" | Small Tonnage! scope = "col" | Medium Tonnage! scope = "col" | Large Tonnage | - | Women of 157 cm or less (5'2 ") || 146 mm (5.75 ") | - | Women between 157 cm (5'2 ") and 165 cm (5'5") || 158 mm (6.25 ") | - | Women taller than 165 cm (5'5 ") || 165 mm (6.5 ") | - | Men taller than 165 cm (5'5 ") || 139 mm (5.5 ") - 165 mm (6.5") || 165 mm (6.5 ") - 190 mm (7.5") || > 190 mm (7.5 ") |}
Method 2 of 2: Measure the tonnage through the width of the elbow
Step 1. Bend your arm to form a 90 degree angle
Make sure your forearm is perpendicular to the ground. It does not matter which arm you use, but you may find it easier to use the one you normally use to carry out activities.
Step 2. Place the thumb and index finger of the other hand on both sides of your elbow
Then remove the elbow, but don't move your fingers from that position.
Step 3. Measure the distance between the two fingers with a ruler or tape measure
Then compare the result with the following table:
| Small tonnage | Medium tonnage | Large tonnage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women between 146 cm (4'10 ") and 158 cm (5'3") | <57.15 mm (2 1/4 ") | 57.15 mm (2 1/4 ") - 64 mm (2 1/2") | > 64 mm (2 1/2 ") |
| Women between 160 cm (5'4 ") and 178 cm (5'11") | <60 mm (2 3/8 ") / 60 mm (8") - 67 mm (2 5/8 ") | > 67 mm (2 3/8 ") | |
| Women between 180cm (6 ') and 190cm (6'4 ") | <64 mm (2 1/2 ") | 64 mm (2 1/2 ") - 70 mm (2 3/4") | > 70 mm (2 3/4 ") |
| Men between 155 cm (5'2 ") and 158 cm (5'3") | <64 mm (2 1/2 ") | 64 mm (2 1/2 ") - 73 mm (2 7/8") | > 73 mm (2 7/8 ") |
| Men between 180 cm (5'8 ") and 180, 34 cm (5'11") | <70 mm (2 3/4 ") | 70 mm (2 3/4 ") - 75 mm (3") | > 75 mm (3 ") |
| Men between 180 cm (6 ') and 188 cm (6'3 ") | <70 mm (2 3/4 ") | 70 mm (2 3/4 ") - 79 mm (3 1/8") | > 79 mm (3 1/8 ") |
| Men between 190 cm (6'4 ") and 198 cm (6'7") | <73 mm (2 7/8 ") | 73 mm (2 7/8 ") - 83 mm (3 1/4") | > 83 mm (3 1/4 ") |
Advice
- You can use an online tonnage calculator to find out. You will always have to measure your wrist or elbow, but you can enter the data into the calculator and this will determine your size automatically.
- Use your size to determine how weight loss will affect your appearance. If you are naturally large, certain parts of your body, such as your shoulders, will remain large enough no matter how much weight you lose. If you are naturally small in size, you will feel the effects of weight loss faster than the other two categories.
- Regular exercise and good nutrition can help you understand how your body changes as you lose weight. Use these changes as extra motivation to keep the diet that works best for you.
- In addition to the three categories, there are also three general "body types": endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph. Endomorphs have larger bones and more body fat, and they lose weight slowly. Mesomorphs are medium in size, strong, athletic, and lose weight or build muscle quite easily. Ectomorphs are bony and long-limbed, typically with little muscle and fat.
