Which one do I trust?
Elaina291
Posts: 87 Member
Today I went to the doctor's office and when I was weighed, it read 205lbs.
But when I weighed myself on Weight Watchers scale at home it read 199.
On the 14th of this month I was 210 on WW scale and at gym scale and so since then, I have been eating at 1200 cals and lowered my carb intake significantly up until last Friday when I had all my wisdom teeth pulled. Now I am eating less than 1100 cals since Friday so being 205 doesn't make sense to me.
So which scale is more accurate?
But when I weighed myself on Weight Watchers scale at home it read 199.
On the 14th of this month I was 210 on WW scale and at gym scale and so since then, I have been eating at 1200 cals and lowered my carb intake significantly up until last Friday when I had all my wisdom teeth pulled. Now I am eating less than 1100 cals since Friday so being 205 doesn't make sense to me.
So which scale is more accurate?
0
Replies
-
I should also mention that the nurse who weighed me did it flippantly and fast so I don't even know if she was really paying attention to the balance thingy to make sure it was accurate.0
-
Doesn't matter. Go by the scale you weigh yourself on the most, which is your home scale.
I always weigh more at the Dr's office. It's usually mid-day, after breakfast and a couple coffees, in my clothes. That's easily 5-6 lbs right there.27 -
Today I went to the doctor's office and when I was weighed, it read 205lbs.
But when I weighed myself on Weight Watchers scale at home it read 199.
On the 14th of this month I was 210 on WW scale and at gym scale and so since then, I have been eating at 1200 cals and lowered my carb intake significantly up until last Friday when I had all my wisdom teeth pulled. Now I am eating less than 1100 cals since Friday so being 205 doesn't make sense to me.
So which scale is more accurate?
Seems like you are angling for a certain answer. However, spring913 is correct. Go by the scale you use everyday. FWIW the doctor's scale is probably correct but you can't go there everyday to weigh yourself.3 -
I always weigh 3-4lbs less when I weigh at doctors offices regardless of time of day. I update my weight based on those because the lower number makes me feel better lol2
-
Doesn't matter. Go by the scale you weigh yourself on the most, which is your home scale.
I always weigh more at the Dr's office. It's usually mid-day, after breakfast and a couple coffees, in my clothes. That's easily 5-6 lbs right there.
The funny thing is usually when I go to Drs office I always weigh less or right on the nose...not 5-6lbs more than home scale. But it was mid afternoon and I did have a protein shake so maybe that could be the reason for the extra pounds.
I think though I am going to do away with WW scale and weigh myself monthly at drs office. And definitely try to eat less because I am obviously eating too much still.0 -
Doesn't matter. Go by the scale you weigh yourself on the most, which is your home scale.
I always weigh more at the Dr's office. It's usually mid-day, after breakfast and a couple coffees, in my clothes. That's easily 5-6 lbs right there.
The funny thing is usually when I go to Drs office I always weigh less or right on the nose...not 5-6lbs more than home scale. But it was mid afternoon and I did have a protein shake so maybe that could be the reason for the extra pounds.
I think though I am going to do away with WW scale and weigh myself monthly at drs office. And definitely try to eat less because I am obviously eating too much still.
eating less is not the answer. you may be retaining water.do you weigh all your food? if not you may be eating more than you think. and yes the protein shake or any food can make your weight go up on the scale. always way first thing in the am after you used the bathroom and before you have eaten or had anything to drink. your weight fluctuates hour to hour,day to day.so dont sweat it.1 -
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation16 -
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
This kind of reality will get you banned.8 -
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
Scales measure differently, pick one and stick with it ..I'd suggest home scales because you can keep to the same parameters more easily eg first thing in the morning, naked, after bathroom, before food or drink and always on same surface
And by either measurement you have lost a lot
By virtue of lowering carbs you have lost a fair amount of water (glycogen / water) and as it's the start you will see more movement
2 -
I would actually say the doctors office would be more prone to variance due to calibration, clothing, time of day, food in system2
-
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
I know its not representative of fat loss. I know it is water weight. I have done the math and I am a firm believer in CICO and by doing the math both computer and by hand, I should have been 198 by today...highest being maybe 201 or 202. But lets just say I am 205, it still means that one is seriously wrong.
And my issue is that I bought a $50 scale that might not be working correctly.
I know weight fluctuates throughout the day but not within 20 mins. My weight has never done that so I know one is wrong. And I just don't want to be 5-6lbs off with my weight.
0 -
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
Scales measure differently, pick one and stick with it ..I'd suggest home scales because you can keep to the same parameters more easily eg first thing in the morning, naked, after bathroom, before food or drink and always on same surface
And by either measurement you have lost a lot
By virtue of lowering carbs you have lost a fair amount of water (glycogen / water) and as it's the start you will see more movement
I feel like I am cheating myself somehow though by choosing a scale that weighs me lower but not neccesarily accurate. I wish I could go to another dr. office and see what it says and go off by average.
And I know I sound like a mad woman but when you have invested a lot of money in a scale, you expect it to be as accurate as possible.0 -
I always weigh 3-4lbs less when I weigh at doctors offices regardless of time of day. I update my weight based on those because the lower number makes me feel better lol
Lol. I have two scales at home and my "new" one shows that I weigh 1 pound more than the "old" one. Sometimes I step on the old one to feel better. So funny, as if that made me actually lose a pound (chuckle).
Typo edit3 -
I can also possibly see that reaching "onederland" is important and maybe you are looking for a specific scale to to call out that number. And perhaps the the scale you want that number to come from is not the one you want to weight on everyday.
Also you said you are eating under 1100 calories and plan to eat even less? Why would you eat less than that?
You should pick one scale an stick to that. Preferably to me, you should weigh on one where you weigh in the a.m. naked, after the bathroom, before eating or drinking or exercising. Do this and keep up with daily trends that include sodium intake, female hormones, glycogen, etc.1 -
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
Scales measure differently, pick one and stick with it ..I'd suggest home scales because you can keep to the same parameters more easily eg first thing in the morning, naked, after bathroom, before food or drink and always on same surface
And by either measurement you have lost a lot
By virtue of lowering carbs you have lost a fair amount of water (glycogen / water) and as it's the start you will see more movement
I feel like I am cheating myself somehow though by choosing a scale that weighs me lower but not neccesarily accurate. I wish I could go to another dr. office and see what it says and go off by average.
And I know I sound like a mad woman but when you have invested a lot of money in a scale, you expect it to be as accurate as possible.
sounds like you are slightly obsessed with the numbers which is never a good thing. weight loss is not linear so you cannot predict to the pound what you will/should weigh each day.4 -
it's also funny that you came to ask for advice, most suggested that you trust the home scale because the factors stay consistent - and you decided to do the opposite?3
-
Muscleflex79 wrote: »So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
Scales measure differently, pick one and stick with it ..I'd suggest home scales because you can keep to the same parameters more easily eg first thing in the morning, naked, after bathroom, before food or drink and always on same surface
And by either measurement you have lost a lot
By virtue of lowering carbs you have lost a fair amount of water (glycogen / water) and as it's the start you will see more movement
I feel like I am cheating myself somehow though by choosing a scale that weighs me lower but not neccesarily accurate. I wish I could go to another dr. office and see what it says and go off by average.
And I know I sound like a mad woman but when you have invested a lot of money in a scale, you expect it to be as accurate as possible.
sounds like you are slightly obsessed with the numbers which is never a good thing. weight loss is not linear so you cannot predict to the pound what you will/should weigh each day.
There is def scale obsession going on here.
Every time I weigh at the doctor I may have had coffee or tea before the appointment, or even a meal or snack, I am fully clothed and they usually tell me to keep my shoes on. I would never use the doctors scale as my main scale for weight. I know my clothes alone put weight on the scale.
Put the scale on ebay.3 -
Doesn't matter. Go by the scale you weigh yourself on the most, which is your home scale.
I always weigh more at the Dr's office. It's usually mid-day, after breakfast and a couple coffees, in my clothes. That's easily 5-6 lbs right there.
The funny thing is usually when I go to Drs office I always weigh less or right on the nose...not 5-6lbs more than home scale. But it was mid afternoon and I did have a protein shake so maybe that could be the reason for the extra pounds.
I think though I am going to do away with WW scale and weigh myself monthly at drs office. And definitely try to eat less because I am obviously eating too much still.
Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner. You want to use the scale that has the least amount of variance. Of course your going to weigh more later in the day when there is food/shake/drink whatever in your stomach and your clothed. It's NORMAL. COMPLETELY 100% NORMAL. I have a pair of jeans that adds 1 lb to my scale weight and that's without wearing a shirt or shoes. Use your home scale and there is no need to eat less than you already are. That's likely to cause a lot of health problems.1 -
what makes you think the scales you bought aren't accurate?0
-
Grab something you know the weight of, like a dumbbell, and weigh it to check accuracy1
-
-
-
So OP, you've presented TWO measurements. By one you lost 5lbs and by the other you lost 11lbs. In 12 days.
And then you go on to say that you think you should eat less because you are "only" losing anywhere from 0.46 to 0.91 lbs A DAY?
<bangs head>
<ouch>
<only on MFP>
I am not even going to cover that neither figure is representative of fat lost, especially with low carb thrown into the mix.
just... the expectation
Scales measure differently, pick one and stick with it ..I'd suggest home scales because you can keep to the same parameters more easily eg first thing in the morning, naked, after bathroom, before food or drink and always on same surface
And by either measurement you have lost a lot
By virtue of lowering carbs you have lost a fair amount of water (glycogen / water) and as it's the start you will see more movement
I feel like I am cheating myself somehow though by choosing a scale that weighs me lower but not neccesarily accurate. I wish I could go to another dr. office and see what it says and go off by average.
And I know I sound like a mad woman but when you have invested a lot of money in a scale, you expect it to be as accurate as possible.
I looked at your diary and profile. I see that you are quite young and perhaps not knowledable how all this works.
The past two days you have eaten 800 calories. I can only assume since this scale issues has you creating a larger deficit than is healthy? What your diary shows is a lot of lower calorie days under the recommended min to loose weight healthy. You will loose a good bit of muscle mass you have with this very aggressive way are choosing to loose weight. No one wants to loose their muscle.
It would not be right after seeing this to not say something. Please do not go below your calories goal of 1300 calories. This is dangerous and very harmful.
Lastly, stop the scale obsession, I do not have the answer other than stick to the home scale and weight under the conditions I laid out, but please get back on track and keep moving forward. Your weight loss will happen as long as you use the MFP app and a food scale as these two things are to be used together for successful weight loss. Use these two things and eat your number of calories MFP gave you to loose weight and you have great sucess.
And patience is your best friend right now!!8 -
Self edited0
-
Seriously OP, keep weighing with the same scale, time of day, same clothes, etc like others suggested. Just pay attention to downward trend over time. You will get water and food/waste content weight spikes throughout the day. Just ignore the off spikes and dips and figure out weekly averages. I used to drive myself crazy weighing often. I don't do that anymore. At least I don't get too upset with a quick gain as it leaves just as quickly.3
-
You are obsessing way too much about this scale weight. Like every single person on here has said, use your home scale because you can control how and when you weigh yourself, and you can be consistent.
It seems to be turning a little unhealthy where you are thinking of starving yourself, because you don't think you are losing fast enough. The math they teach you here (3500 calories = a LB lost) is just an over simplification how things work to help the average person be as accurate as they can. That number isn't always going to be accurate but eventually it seems to average out, and starving yourself to speed up the process isn't going to help you in the long run.3 -
I am always heavier at the doctor's. But then again it is frowned upon for me to remove all my clothes, ask her to hold my glasses and watch, and demand to use the toilet immediately before she weighs me, so it's not a level playing field.13
-
You are obsessing way too much about this scale weight. Like every single person on here has said, use your home scale because you can control how and when you weigh yourself, and you can be consistent.
It seems to be turning a little unhealthy where you are thinking of starving yourself, because you don't think you are losing fast enough. The math they teach you here (3500 calories = a LB lost) is just an over simplification how things work to help the average person be as accurate as they can. That number isn't always going to be accurate but eventually it seems to average out, and starving yourself to speed up the process isn't going to help you in the long run.
Unfortunately she has already started the "very aggressive" approach to her weight loss!0 -
I am always heavier at the doctor's. But then again it is frowned upon for me to remove all my clothes, ask her to hold my glasses and watch, and demand to use the toilet immediately before she weighs me, so it's not a level playing field.
So you're saying I'm not really supposed to do this?? Ooops.10
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions