Doubting the scales

DonnaMarieS87
DonnaMarieS87 Posts: 22
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey MFP lovely faces!!

I had a little moment this morning where I was convinced I would have gained, but actually ended up losing! It made me doubt my scales, eventhough they have been the ones I have always used since starting my weight loss adventure.

Does any one else ever doubt their scales?
Am I being silly and should I give myself credit where it's due.

Just a random thought post :)

Have a great day everyone! <3

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    if you dont think your scales are correct, test them by putting a weight on them... simple!
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Around when I first started logging my calories and wasn't seeing results, I did start to wonder about my scale. I found two 10 lb weights that had been gathering dust for years and set them on the scale. It read 25.2! Now my weighing ritual involves setting those weights on, shaking the hell out of the scale until it reads 19.8 (good enough) or 20. Then I hop on. Piece of junk!
  • HLR_xo
    HLR_xo Posts: 1
    Hey,

    I doubt the scales a lot, I've tried my fitness pal before as well as other diets + i'm restarting as of today.

    When i stepped on the scales this morning i could of sworn i'd put loads of weight on but I've actually maintained my weight loss from the last diet i was on (slimming world). I think you still subconsciously follow diets etc even when we think were not.

    Good luck with your journey, you've done great so far!!
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    To be totally honest it doesn't matter all that much so long as the overall trend is downward. You could weigh on 3 sets of scales & get 3 different readings. The best thing to do is keep the scales in the same place so it doesn't upset the balance mechanism.

    As for perceived weight gain well all do that sometimes. Weight loss isn't linear & sometimes gains/losses don't correlate with what we expect them to be.
  • TadaGanIarracht
    TadaGanIarracht Posts: 2,615 Member
    I've read that the best way to get a truly accurate reading with a scale, assuming it is in good working condition, is to weigh yourself three times a week. At the end of the week take the average of those three numbers and go with that.
  • DonnaMarieS87
    DonnaMarieS87 Posts: 22
    Thanks everyone for your responses! You've all made me feel a lot better about being a little negative Nancy!
    I'm going to try the idea with putting a set weight on the scales to check they are correct (Thanks for that idea!)
    I've got 2 sets of scales, one digital and one "doctors" scales, I use them both and they state the same, aswell
    as that I have not moved them since I placed them in my designated "weight loss zone" so hopefully they are both junk!

    Also, well done to everyone on their journeys so far, you have all done so well and the support we all show to one another
    is amazing :)
  • blobby10
    blobby10 Posts: 357 Member
    Don't know if its just me but I find there is a 'lag' of about 2 weeks for me between a week when I am certain I've lost/gained and it registering on the scales!
  • DonnaMarieS87
    DonnaMarieS87 Posts: 22
    It's crazy isn't it. We all rely on them to track our progress yet we never know if they are telling us the truth or not!
    I'm definately getting my set weight and testing it when I get home!
  • mvalimaa
    mvalimaa Posts: 1 Member
    I just installed an app on my iPhone, that tracks daily (yes, I weigh myself daily) weights, and then calculates an estimate of the "actual weight" based on the accumulated/averaged results. This way you get a steady weight figure and are not that worried about daily ups and downs.
  • nezbit88
    nezbit88 Posts: 37 Member
    My scales are so unreliable that the difference between tiles and carpet/ various spots in any given room can vary over 7 kg (15 lbs) I have never gotten around to replacing them as I tend to weigh in too often .... however I resorted to weighing myself on the digital scales at a Veterinary hospital, adjusting my crappy scales to match and leaving them in the same spot to weigh myself more accurately.
  • DonnaMarieS87
    DonnaMarieS87 Posts: 22
    These are all very good suggestions and comments! It's nice to see I'm not the only one that feels like this about the dreaded scales!
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    My scales are so unreliable that the difference between tiles and carpet/ various spots in any given room can vary over 7 kg (15 lbs) I have never gotten around to replacing them as I tend to weigh in too often .... however I resorted to weighing myself on the digital scales at a Veterinary hospital, adjusting my crappy scales to match and leaving them in the same spot to weigh myself more accurately.

    Scales are meant to be used on a level surface. It's only junk if the measurements vary on a flat surface, carpet should not be used!
  • crystald911
    crystald911 Posts: 46 Member
    Please share the name of the app. Thank you!



    Ugh forgot to hit the quote button!:ohwell:
  • crystald911
    crystald911 Posts: 46 Member
    I just installed an app on my iPhone, that tracks daily (yes, I weigh myself daily) weights, and then calculates an estimate of the "actual weight" based on the accumulated/averaged results. This way you get a steady weight figure and are not that worried about daily ups and downs.

    Please share the name of the app. Thank you!

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