What scale to believe?

Hello :)

I have three scales at my home. One scale is a balance scale (the little meter thing) and two are electric. The balance scale said I weigh 171 and one electric said 180 and one electric said 181. I understand every scale is a bit different but by 10 lbs? The balance scale I reset before I use it every morning. Which one is more accurate? I tested the balance scale by putting a 10 lb weight on it and it was accurate.

Replies

  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    All scales are different. Pick one, weigh yourself at the same time, in the same clothes (or naked). I weigh first thing in the morning, before breakfast, after peeing, and naked. Ultimately, as long as the number is decreasing, does it matter which one is right?
  • jenathp
    jenathp Posts: 92 Member
    If you live in the USA there should be a weights and measures office near you. They can test your scale and certify that it is accurate. Otherwise make sure it's on a level ground as I have found that if it's not perfectly level on a hard surface that will throw it off by many pounds.
  • AnnieLeeSkinee
    AnnieLeeSkinee Posts: 12 Member
    That's true. Would it be crazy of me to pick the one that says I'm 171? Lol
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    That's true. Would it be crazy of me to pick the one that says I'm 171? Lol

    That's the one you tested and found accurate, right?
  • MarcyKirkton
    MarcyKirkton Posts: 507 Member
    lol......I love the balance scale that dropped 3 lbs once. Alas, I had to adjust back to my own scale. I suppose it really does't matter which one you use, provided it's the same one all the time.
  • AnnieLeeSkinee
    AnnieLeeSkinee Posts: 12 Member
    That's true. Would it be crazy of me to pick the one that says I'm 171? Lol

    That's the one you tested and found accurate, right?

    Yes, and keep in mind the two electric ones were really cheap. Like 10 dollars and under cheap.
  • jenathp
    jenathp Posts: 92 Member
    Well, remember that the way scales work is they can be off by just a few ounces and that extrapolates over a hundred pounds or two hundred pounds adding up to pounds of difference. So, a ten pound weight might be somewhat accurate but a 100 pound weight might not. That's why I like the weights and measures office if actual weight is super important. (My son played football for years until he blew out his knee so the importance of ACTUAL weight for the game days was important as he couldn't play if he was over or under.)
  • tjcuts339
    tjcuts339 Posts: 188 Member
    All scales are different. Pick one, weigh yourself at the same time, in the same clothes (or naked). I weigh first thing in the morning, before breakfast, after peeing, and naked. Ultimately, as long as the number is decreasing, does it matter which one is right?

    Do this same routine every morning.Will be accurate if done daily.Cheap or expensive scale.
  • Kalin7
    Kalin7 Posts: 9 Member
    I have had the same prob. The one at home is six to seven pounds off from the one at home. I chose to believe the lesser one
  • sunandmoons
    sunandmoons Posts: 415 Member
    I have a healthometer digital scale and paid 23.00. The other a dial scale thats hard to read and never accurate because you can lean a certain way and the dial moves. Paid twice the amount.

    The digital scale is very accurate. I weight with my siamese cats and then weight alone and then cats alone. It was a good investment and always accurate. Walmart sells them.
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
    I went to my Dr. office, weighed myself and went straight home without eating, drinking or using the bathroom. Weighed myself right away and now know that my scale is registering my weight properly. Dang it, I was hoping it was weighing me heavy. :-(