Which scale is more accurate?

NewCZNofLife

My doctor's fancy digital scale reading differs from the reading on the mechanical one that I have at home with the easy-to-read dial. I'm wearing the same clothes for both but the results are totally different. My doctor's digital scale says that I gained 1 lb. in three weeks but my bathroom one says I've lost 4 lbs. I would like to believe the scale at home only because I have lost inches around my waist/abdomen and am watching my diet. But I'm confused about the accuracy of both.

I welcome any viewpoints on the accuracy of digital scales v. mechanical old school ones with the easy-to-read dial.

Dave55412

I have a Fitbit Aria and it's accurate. The doctors scale gets a lot of use and they probably don't calibrate it often. You could set something on your scale with a known weight (like a 5 pound dumbbell) and see if it matches the scale. Since you're losing inches, your scale is probably the more accurate.

ExRelaySprinter

I would always go by the scales you use at home.
I wouldn't even bother weighing myself on any other scales tbh.

_incogNEATo_

Just pick one scale to base your loss/gains on. If you're down 4 pounds from the last time you weighed on the same scale then that's 4 pounds. All it could mean is that you're 4 pounds heavier than your scale was telling you (assuming your doctor's scale is right). My opinion would be to only keep track using one scale because a loss is a loss and a gain is a gain, etc. Don't let both scales hold the same weight in your tracking (pun intended).

jaqcan

Both are. But they are calibrated differently. Your "starting weight" would have been 4lbs heavier if you had initially weighed at the doctors office. I weighed at my moms house, it was 20lbs off. I was 20, TWENTY, pounds lighter. I wish that were true, but the fact is, either could be wrong. But stick with 1 scale and base your losses off that.

cwolfman13

Neither....just pick one.

1shauna1

I think as mentioned, use one consistently. I also have to check where I set my scale on my floor as it is tile, and so sometimes the floor is uneven and it gives me a different reading. (I would take the reading where I was four pounds less, TBH! )

dpwellman

Most, if not all, modern electronic scales are more than accurate enough when placed on a level, hard surface.

beemerphile1

The doctor's scale probably but it doesn't matter one bit. Use your scale to track progress, the actual number is unimportant.

barryplumber

I use my home scales only right or wrong they will tell me if I'm moving up or down. Jumping from scale to scale will just have you all mixed up

NewCZNofLife

Dave55412 wrote: »

I have a Fitbit Aria and it's accurate. The doctors scale gets a lot of use and they probably don't calibrate it often. You could set something on your scale with a known weight (like a 5 pound dumbbell) and see if it matches the scale. Since you're losing inches, your scale is probably the more accurate.

Dave55412~ I never thought about calibration not occurring w/my doctor's office. Good point. And, good idea about the dumbbell. I placed an 8 lb one on my scale and it registers as 8 lbs. So I will stick w/my own scale. I'm also contemplating bringing a smaller dumbbell w/me to my next doctor's visit just to see if theirs is accurate, too. Appreciate your insight. It was very helpful. Thank you!

Kingtjr47

_incogNEATo_ wrote: »

Just pick one scale to base your loss/gains on. If you're down 4 pounds from the last time you weighed on the same scale then that's 4 pounds. All it could mean is that you're 4 pounds heavier than your scale was telling you (assuming your doctor's scale is right). My opinion would be to only keep track using one scale because a loss is a loss and a gain is a gain, etc. Don't let both scales hold the same weight in your tracking (pun intended).

barryplumber wrote: »

I use my home scales only right or wrong they will tell me if I'm moving up or down. Jumping from scale to scale will just have you all mixed up

barryplumber wrote: »

I use my home scales only right or wrong they will tell me if I'm moving up or down. Jumping from scale to scale will just have you all mixed up

Kingtjr47

A man with one watch always knows what time it is. A man with two watches never knows what time it is.

bunsen_honeydew

Weigh yourself with and without the dumbell. Not just putting the dumbell on the scale!

It could be accurate at 5 lb but not at 100.

bunsen_honeydew

Weigh yourself with and without the dumbell. Not just putting the dumbell on the scale!

It could be accurate at 5 lb but not at 100.

DeterminedFee201426

Dave55412 wrote: »

I have a Fitbit Aria and it's accurate. The doctors scale gets a lot of use and they probably don't calibrate it often. You could set something on your scale with a known weight (like a 5 pound dumbbell) and see if it matches the scale. Since you're losing inches, your scale is probably the more accurate.

yep try this this is what i do with all my scales to test them , i put a 5 or 10 pound dumbell on it . if it reads accurately then it's accurate maybe .

jorinya

OP I agree with the previous post about the doctor's scales, maybe the doctor's is out of sync!! Sounds like your doctor needs to give the scales a check-up! When I go to my consultant the scales reads about 0.3kg -0.4kg difference from my own at home. But I'm still losing weight and inches. Here's the link to check it out for yourself. Hope it helps!

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10157518/week-five-11kg-down-15kg-to-go-pics#latest