Which Scale Should I Beleive?

Guardilestelle
Guardilestelle Posts: 8 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone. Last week I started MFP and weighed myself on a regular bathroom scale. Yesterday I was at a Dr appointment and their scale said I had lost 5 lbs. I just weighed myself on the first scale and it says I stayed the same as last week! I'm not sure which is right. Has anyone had this happen before? Which scale is right? I was really crushed seeing 245 when yesterday a different scale said 240 :(

Replies

  • jimshine
    jimshine Posts: 199 Member
    It sounds like your bathroom scale is off 5 pounds. You should probably just use the data given by one scale. Even if it is off 5 pounds, the loss would still be shown even though it is off. you just will have to factor it into things when getting toward your final goal.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    scales will vary - so take your weight with the same scale every time, preferably at the same time of day each time. (my doc's scale always shows 5 pounds more)
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Old saying: "Man with one clock knows what time it is; man with two clocks is never sure."

    Pick one scale and stick with it; ignore what any other scale says. Scales will vary in readings and your weight will vary throughout the day by several pounds according to how much you've eaten/drank, what you're wearing, how much water you're retaining, etc. Weigh on the same scale at the same time of day, wearing the same clothes (or lack thereof).
  • chanel1twenty
    chanel1twenty Posts: 161 Member
    Yes, definitely just pick one. Even if it's off by a few pounds it will still show loss.

    On another note, I've been told that the weighted scales at the doctor's offices are the most accurate...but even those scales could be off I'm sure
  • Guardilestelle
    Guardilestelle Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks everyone. I think I will try again tomorrow at the same time when as last week and see if that makes any difference.
  • sympha01
    sympha01 Posts: 942 Member
    With the caveat that your weight will fluctuate during a single day (most people weigh the least first thing in the morning after sweating all night and after um, routine bodily evacuation:embarassed: , and before they have anything to eat or drink; your mileage may vary of course), in general doctors' office scales are more accurate than consumer home scales. And for what it's worth (this is an issue for me anyway), you will find that consumer home scales are NOTORIOUSLY inaccurate and inconsistent near the higher end of their ranges.

    Call it a win!

    Even though the doctor's office is probably more accurate, obviously you still need to keep measuring progress when you can't go to the doctor. The best advice going forward is weigh yourself on it at the same time of day, at the same point in your daily routine every time. Results over shorter periods of time may fluctuate, but the average *trend* over time should be directionally accurate.

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