Weight fluctuation or inaccurate reading?

apedeb09
apedeb09 Posts: 805 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I just bought a new scale the other day.. It said I am 208.. when I weighed myself at a relative's house a couple weeks ago it said I was 205... and now today my scale that i just bought is saying i'm 205 again when it said I weighed 208 just 2 days ago... Does my scale just not work right or is that normal? Which is the right weight? It's a little frustrating!. :huh:

Replies

  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,320 Member
    Weight fluctuates day to day...even hours to hours. Use one scale for your records and dont worry about what other scales say. :)
  • kbanzhaf
    kbanzhaf Posts: 601 Member
    You can't compare two scales. If you are weighing yourself, you need to do so consistently. This means:
    Same scale
    Same time of day
    Same clothing/or lack thereof
    Your weight will change from day to day. The important thing is to see a downward trend. Do not be discouraged by the scale going up or down a few pounds.
    Personally, I weigh myself daily so I can monitor the fluctuations. I know immediately if I've eaten too many salty foods or if I haven't had enough water to drink. If the daily fluctuations drive you crazy, weigh less often. If you do decide to weigh weekly (or monthly), be sure to keep that consistent. Weigh on the same day of the week or month, etc.
    Good luck!
    Kaye
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    Like someone else said in the thread you can't go by 2 different scales. And you need to make sure your new scale is level. Take a 5lb weight and weigh it and adjust till it says 5lbs. Also, weigh yourself the same time, same clothing and really first thing in the morning is the best because it all depends on food and water consumed too. AND ONLY WEIGH YOURSELF ONCE PER WEEK! Too too too many people are so worried with that number on the scale and if you fluctuate day to day like I do, you can end up getting discouraged or developing a very unhealthy obsession with your weight. IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE! Also measure yourself once per month and go by how your clothes fit...esp if you do any strength training! Almost 3 months ago I started my current program at 136lbs and I'm still 136 but I'm a clothes size smaller b/c I've been lifting weights. When I was losing I weighed myself once per week. Now I only weight myself when I'm weighing my cat (it's one of those scales where you have to put your feet on the pads so I weigh myself and then weigh myself holding her and record the difference lol) or if my clothes get too loose or to tight. That number on the scale is ONLY PART of an accurate gauge of your progress! It's a 3-part system!

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