Fat loss is not measured by weight alone. If you’re working out, you might be adding weight while losing fat. Your scale can’t tell you that, though. But, the Diet Belt can.

Wear the diet belt it to track the inches you lose through dieting or the inches you add through breaking that diet. For better or for worse this belt will tell you how your circumference is changing. Unlike a significant other or friend who might wish to spare your feelings, the Diet Belt is as honest as it gets. And the nylon won’t stretch like leather, so you won’t need to worry about your measurements becoming inaccurate over time. (and if you don’t want to broadcast your width to the world, you can flip it inside out so your measurements are private!)

Maybe you don’t care about your waistline. Maybe you just need to measure stuff and don’t want a folded-up Ikea measuring tape in your wallet all the time. The Diet Belt has you covered.

Step 1: Tools + Materials

Tools:

scissors
sewing machine
clear thread
rotary tool /w metal cutting bit

Materials:

solid-face trim-style belt buckle
fabric measuring table
fabric for belt
straight edge + marker

This project involves cutting metal, wear appropriate safety gear and work within your experience.

Step 2: Sew and Trim

I didn't like the fabric my belt came with, so I used a wide, flat strip of black nylon instead. The fabric measuring tape was sewn onto my belt fabric using a transparent thread. I sewed my measuring tape with plenty of extra belt fabric on either end, then trimmed the 'zero' end with a straight cut and the end of the measuring tape with a tapered cut, just like a real belt.

Step 3: Sketch and Cut

My trim-style belt buckle had a simple, solid face. An opening needs to be created in the face to expose the measurement belt that will run underneath. Using a straight edge and a marker I sketched a simple design on the face that would work as in measurement indicator.

Using a metal cutting wheel on a rotary tool the buckle face was cut along the sketch lines, then the sharp edges of the cut were smoothed.

Step 4:

All that's left is to insert the measuring tape and fabric belt into the buckle and you're ready to keep track of your waistline!

Remember, this belt is reversible, so you don't have to advertise your dimensions to everyone if you don't want to. Also, you can be the only person outside of a carpenter that always carries around a tape measure. perfect for all the times you need to make quick measurements on the fly.

Have you made your own version of the diet belt? Post a picture of your version in the comments below.

Happy making :)