1) Remove any layers of clothing blocking where you would like for your beads to lay. They typically lay underneath the navel.
2)Make sure it's not too tight and that it's straight, even at the back. Stand up straight and don’t hold your breathe while measuring
3)Check the number on the tape making sure to match where the tape begins (at the 0) with where tape ends. The number of inches you see will be your waist size. Double check to make sure measurements are correct.