We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Burn these damn scales!

walker1world
walker1world Posts: 259 Member
edited December 2024 in Getting Started
I am so tired of scales.

I bought one last year that was supposed to be super accurate, you know lasers and all. But 3 months ago I realized that depending on where I set the thing in my house, it would give me a different weight. This made no since how could I weigh more in one room then the other up to 10 lbs different?

So I decided that I was going to use the scale at the ymca where i work out. It was the kind where you move the weights to balance to get your weight.

But then on the same day I weighed my self in 2 different ymca's and got a 13 lbs difference.

So I decided the one I use the most is correct. Also it said I was lighter.

I weighed my self at the YMCA the day I went to get a physical. With out eating or drinking anything I gained 5 lbs going from the ymca to the doctors office.

The straw that has broke the camels back is today there was a scale at store. It said I was 15 lbs lighter then I was friday at the ymca. I like this scale maybe this should become my new scale? Lol

I am so done with scales.

Replies

  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    The first rule of scales is "Stick to one scale".

    in one location, at one time of day....

    ^^ yup
  • erinmtn
    erinmtn Posts: 1 Member
    It's a tracking tool, not a tool of honesty. Record your weight (as many others have suggested) same time of day, same location, and track up or down, not a specific number. Your weight WILL fluctuate depending on hydration, retention, etc. You are looking for a trend.
  • KetoneKaren
    KetoneKaren Posts: 6,412 Member
    @walker1world Sounds like it's time for you to enjoy your Non Scale Victories! The scale isn't doing it for you, it seems to be a fickle friend.
  • vczK2t
    vczK2t Posts: 309 Member
    I am so tired of scales.

    I bought one last year that was supposed to be super accurate, you know lasers and all. But 3 months ago I realized that depending on where I set the thing in my house, it would give me a different weight. This made no sense how could I weigh more in one room then the other up to 10 lbs different?

    So I decided that I was going to use the scale at the YMCA where I work out. It was the kind where you move the weights to balance to get your weight.

    But then on the same day I weighed myself in 2 different YMCA's and got a 13 lbs difference.

    So I decided the one I use the most is correct. Also it said I was lighter.

    I weighed myself at the YMCA the day I went to get a physical. With out eating or drinking anything I gained 5 lbs going from the YMCA to the doctors office.

    The straw that has broke the camels back is today there was a scale at store. It said I was 15 lbs lighter than I was Friday at the YMCA. I like this scale maybe this should become my new scale? Lol

    I am so done with scales.

    I noticed with my scale that if I put it on a rug, it would weigh me heavier than if I put if on the hardwood floor. I also hate scales, so I only weigh myself once a month.
  • CalorieCountChocula
    CalorieCountChocula Posts: 239 Member
    For the discrepancy at home all I can think is that maybe your floors aren't 100% level (common) and they're off by different degrees in different rooms/parts of the house. Tile can throw things off too if you hit the cracks. As far as different scales at different places it's probably a combo of changing conditions (shoes on/off, different clothes, different scales, eating/drinking, etc).

    I'd just pick one spot at home you feel is giving you the most accurate measurement, weigh yourself once a day first thing in the morning without clothes after using the bathroom, and using some sort of weight smoothing app (Happyscale on iOS, Libra on Android, trendweight.com if you have a FitBit or Withings) to track your weight trend.
  • RogerToo
    RogerToo Posts: 16,157 Member
    edited June 2016
    Hi
    I agree, That is why I switched to a balance beam scale, make sure it is zeroed and do not move it. I also know that I will be heavier at the doctors office due to the amount of clothes and pocket contents. For that weight I only look at the visit to visit change and do not try and compare it to my weight at home. As it happens I must be doing a decent job of trying to hold this weight as I was 10 pounds lighter than January, for the record I do need to lose a little bit more, I just decided that after 2 years of losing weight to take a break and recharge :) At home I record the weight in a small ledger book, along with money I find when walking, steps etc. Daily. Using the same scale gives me consistent results.

    Also be aware that Your weight changes throughout the day based on many factors.

    To get consistent results IMO You must weigh early in the day when You get up and always wearing the same thing and before You eat or drink anything. As I say this is an opinion based on personal observation.

    You will drive Yourself crazy using multiple scales, Getting consistent results is more important than 100% accuracy. Consistency requires using only one scale and not moving it around. Did You check that the YMCA scale was properly zeroed before weighing. Next thing to remember is that the user manual for my balance Beam scale says to reset it back to zero after each weighing. That also makes checking that it it zeroed possible.

    There is also the fact that electronic scales can give difference results as the batteries get older, I do not know if that is only some scales or most of the electronic scales TBH.

    Good Luck
    Roger
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    The first rule of scales is "Stick to one scale".

    Then what about the scale at Dr. Never think your all right's office?
  • hypodonthaveme
    hypodonthaveme Posts: 215 Member
    My hubby found the level spot in the house. That's where I weigh once a month . I wear the same clothes after the first morning bathroom run. But scales don't give you the following successes: inches lost, the stamina you have gained, the confidence gained, the faster walking pace, the stride distance that has improved, the fact your eating better. The scale doesn't do that. Best wishes.
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    My hubby found the level spot in the house. That's where I weigh once a month . I wear the same clothes after the first morning bathroom run. But scales don't give you the following successes: inches lost, the stamina you have gained, the confidence gained, the faster walking pace, the stride distance that has improved, the fact your eating better. The scale doesn't do that. Best wishes.

    I agree with you, the scale is just one marker that we should be looking at.
  • thiosulfate
    thiosulfate Posts: 262 Member
    The first rule of scales is "Stick to one scale".

    Then what about the scale at Dr. Never think your all right's office?

    I've never had more than a 3-5 lbs difference at my doctor's vs a home scale. This can be explained by the factor that I'm wearing clothes and have eaten food.

    Just pick one scale. Keep it in one spot in your home. Weigh yourself at the same time of day. If you weigh yourself daily or even weekly, expect some fluctuations.
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    The first rule of scales is "Stick to one scale".

    Then what about the scale at Dr. Never think your all right's office?

    Let him use that one, and you use the one in your house that you have access to all the time.
  • This content has been removed.
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    xmichaelyx wrote: »
    The first rule of scales is "Stick to one scale".

    Then what about the scale at Dr. Never think your all right's office?

    Let him use that one, and you use the one in your house that you have access to all the time.

    Thanks.
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL
  • ltowens69
    ltowens69 Posts: 1 Member
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL

    You need to stop!
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    ltowens69 wrote: »
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL

    You need to stop!

    Lol
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    ltowens69 wrote: »
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL

    You need to stop!

    Yessum, you seem a tad too obsessed with your scales.
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    ltowens69 wrote: »
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL

    You need to stop!

    Yessum, you seem a tad too obsessed with your scales.

    Yes I would seem so.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    ltowens69 wrote: »
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL

    You need to stop!

    Yessum, you seem a tad too obsessed with your scales.

    Yes I would seem so.

    lol You're not the only one.

    I weigh myself first thing every morning, take that first number, enter it here which then syncs with Trendweight, and then forget about it for the rest of the day.
    Different scales will always give you different numbers. Don't step on anyone elses scales but your own :wink:
  • walker1world
    walker1world Posts: 259 Member
    ltowens69 wrote: »
    Ok me and my scale have made up, he said I lost another pound. LOL

    You need to stop!

    Yessum, you seem a tad too obsessed with your scales.

    Yes I would seem so.

    lol You're not the only one.

    I weigh myself first thing every morning, take that first number, enter it here which then syncs with Trendweight, and then forget about it for the rest of the day.
    Different scales will always give you different numbers. Don't step on anyone elses scales but your own :wink:

    Great advice I need to get one I trust.
This discussion has been closed.