Why do the scales lie?
h9dlb
Posts: 243 Member
We all know what lying conniving evil things the scales are, but is there any science to explain why
a) weight number doesn't go down when inches are reducing
b) weight can stay the same for 2 weeks then 4 pounds can drop off the next week
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Thought I had reached my goal weight today, was very pleased - stepped back on the scales 2 minutes later and had gone up 2 lbs, and I'm using expensive and accurate digital scales.
a) weight number doesn't go down when inches are reducing
b) weight can stay the same for 2 weeks then 4 pounds can drop off the next week
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Thought I had reached my goal weight today, was very pleased - stepped back on the scales 2 minutes later and had gone up 2 lbs, and I'm using expensive and accurate digital scales.
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Replies
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Well, for number 1: this could mean that you are replacing your fat with muscle, which is excellent! Muscle is denser than fat, which means that if you are gaining muscle quickly enough then you could be staying the same weight while actually getting slimmer and fitter. If that makes sense?
For number 2: That happens to me too. And it's probably not the scale. It just happens sometimes. Our weight fluctuates all the time and weight loss can be very inconsistent.
For number 3: I'm assuming that in those 2 minutes you aren't eating, drinking, or piling on clothes soo.... I don't know how to explain that one.
Hope this helps?0 -
Just because your scales are expensive does not mean they are any good. I would be questioning there accuracy. If you haven't moved them they should give the same reading of they are any good.0
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Whooshes
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html
No idea about the last point though - except dodgy scales0 -
We all know what lying conniving evil things the scales are, but is there any science to explain why
a) weight number doesn't go down when inches are reducing
b) weight can stay the same for 2 weeks then 4 pounds can drop off the next week
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Thought I had reached my goal weight today, was very pleased - stepped back on the scales 2 minutes later and had gone up 2 lbs, and I'm using expensive and accurate digital scales.
a) Not sure - I hear lots about building muscle and losing fat, but I always thought it was very hard to build muscle, so for short periods of time that one has me stumped!
b) Weight loss isn't linear, your body will do what it will do :P Water retention is a big one for sudden changes in weight, so you may have been retaining water for the first part of a new exercise or eating plan and then when you adjust to it the weight comes off (which is my understanding). That is to do with glycogen storage and depletion I think
c) Are your scales on a flat surface? Mine did that and I realised they were lying on a little bump in the flooring!
ETA: grammar
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/siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh0
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C) pisses me off daily. Like arghhhhhhh0
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We all know what lying conniving evil things the scales are, but is there any science to explain why
a) weight number doesn't go down when inches are reducing
b) weight can stay the same for 2 weeks then 4 pounds can drop off the next week
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Thought I had reached my goal weight today, was very pleased - stepped back on the scales 2 minutes later and had gone up 2 lbs, and I'm using expensive and accurate digital scales.
1. You may be building muscle.
2. You may be retaining water.
3. You may just need a poo.
4. Weight loss is never linear.
As for the scales changing in two minutes, it can happen, but expensive scales don't equal good scales. Why would you weigh yourself twice in two minutes though? :laugh:0 -
B - I hope you're right lol :laugh:0
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*Wipes sweat of forehead* Phew ... I am so glad the scales lie - I thought I was just heavy jj x 0
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yes (sigh...):sad:
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Here's what i do - if i'm happy with the results, then i don't get on again. if not, i'll try again. so yes, i know i'm just cheating myself but it makes me feel better.
What I don't understand is this - how can i get on the scale before (ahem) visiting the toilet, and then got on AFTER, and be more AFTER than i was before? baffling, indeed.:noway:0 -
Agree with all the others the weight number doesn't have much to do with actual weight loss.
Summary your body will do what it does, just stick on track and the end result will be what you want
I know first hand that in the 3 months ive changed my life i was losing weight steadily for a month with little change in the tape measure, but an obvious change to my cardio, blood pressure and heart rate all positive.
Now just passing month 3 and 15.5Kg's i've stalled several times in the last 3 weeks but at the end of each 1 week stall i lose alot apparently for no reason when the rest of the time i was busting my *kitten* with no apparent result other then a shrinking stomach line.
1) Muscles, Water weighs more then fat
2) The first fat you'll likely lose is visceral or internal fat which wont move a thing on the tape measure but will register as a minor weight loss
3) As you exercise your body retains water in the muscles and converts sugars to fats so you are gaining some weight while you are losing bad fats which evens things out and you may not see a difference on the scales til your body does it's thing recovering and building muscle then BAM you lose a chunk of weight in one hit
The keys are water. Drink atleast 1litre of water a day and drink during exercise the more you drink (within reason) the better your body/motabolism can function and the more water weight you'll lose which is what most quick weight gain and loss is related to, i know that sounds weird drink water to lose water but it's true.
Lastly yoour body fluctuates all day long as you process food/drinks, Take a poop or a long pea and there goes almost a kilo of weight while it's sitting in your kidneys and bowels you will have excess weight that you can't account for 0 -
yes (sigh...):sad:
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Here's what i do - if i'm happy with the results, then i don't get on again. if not, i'll try again. so yes, i know i'm just cheating myself but it makes me feel better.
What I don't understand is this - how can i get on the scale before (ahem) visiting the toilet, and then got on AFTER, and be more AFTER than i was before? baffling, indeed.:noway:
Thats a noodle scratcher, it should be less, which has been my experience every time, unless you are passing your bowels and by doing so you are moving the next batch into your intestines minus the water which is no longer supported by the stomach and thus might add to apparent body weight?0 -
yes (sigh...):sad:
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Here's what i do - if i'm happy with the results, then i don't get on again. if not, i'll try again. so yes, i know i'm just cheating myself but it makes me feel better.
What I don't understand is this - how can i get on the scale before (ahem) visiting the toilet, and then got on AFTER, and be more AFTER than i was before? baffling, indeed.:noway:
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Because they don't.
Any number is a only a "goal". You'll reach a point when you realize it's pointless. #deep0 -
lol i can't believe i'm actually having this discussion :laugh: but ieven if things move around, they're still IN there somewhere, right? I don't know, just thought it was an interesting anecdote
yes (sigh...):sad:
c) the scales can show different readings from one minute to the next ?
Here's what i do - if i'm happy with the results, then i don't get on again. if not, i'll try again. so yes, i know i'm just cheating myself but it makes me feel better.
What I don't understand is this - how can i get on the scale before (ahem) visiting the toilet, and then got on AFTER, and be more AFTER than i was before? baffling, indeed.:noway:
Thats a noodle scratcher, it should be less, which has been my experience every time, unless you are passing your bowels and by doing so you are moving the next batch into your intestines minus the water which is no longer supported by the stomach and thus might add to apparent body weight?
Bottom line is - look at the whole picture. If the general direction is weight loss, I'm not going ot be bothered by little fluctuations here and there, as weird as they are. right?0 -
thank you Sarauk2sf !0 -
This needs to be printed out and put in my bathroom for humor!0 -
The only scales I use are the standard scales at the gym which contains no electronics or springs but uses a cantilever bar and counterweights. You just slide two weights along a horizontal bar. There's nothing that can go wrong with it and under Australian law, it has to be checked and calibrated on a regular basis if in the event it does become inaccurate.
The only problem is that the scales are out in a busy corridor. While I could measure myself naked - it wouldn't make me very popular.
kind regards,
Ben0
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