20 lbs in one day...please help

tmoore_20

So yesterday morning I weighed myself on two scales. One said 243 and the other said 244. I got home last night and exercised and I weighed myself again and the scales said 265 and I weighed myself this morning it said the same 265 lbs. I'm so confused and kind of discouraged- not enough to stop trying to lose weight though. I know I do gain water weight but it's never been more than 5 pounds. I have been exercising 6 days a week doing the 30 day shred and eating less than 1300 calories and watching my carbs. I didn't even know it was possible to gain 20 lbs of water or weight in one day. I'm getting discouraged. I don't even know why I bought a scale. I can tell I'm losing weight because I look smaller and two people noticed at work. But I want to have an accurate weight so that I can properly track my progress. Does anyone know how/why this would happen?

lifescircle

First... don't put all your eggs in that basket. The fit of your clothes tell a better story.
Secondly, weighing twice a day like that could easily discourage you. Weigh once, if you want to weigh daily, first thing in the morning, without clothes.

And lastly, did you move the scale? Is it on a flat surface? What were you wearing each time you weighed in?

tmoore_20

When I first weighed it was in the bathroom with no clothes and the second time it was in my room, the floor is carpeted but relatively flat haha. You are right about not weighing twice a day. I actually bought the scale saying I promised that I would only weigh once every 30 days...I should have kept that promise.

sweetage123

If you place the scale on carpet its going to give you a different reading. Try placing it on flat ground again and see what happens

LATeagno

Yeah, one of the weigh-ins was incorrect. It's pretty much impossible to lose or gain 20 lbs. in a day short of cutting off an arm. Weigh in the exact same spot all the time, and the floor should not be carpeted or you'll get an inaccurate reading.

JVonni

Putting a scale on carpet (flat surface or not) will definitely change the results! Don't be so hard on yourself

tlonie

It is probably the carpet. The scale needs to be on a flat surface.

Ge0rgiana

NEVER put your scale on carpet to weigh.

brendddda

Two different scales? Then one of them is likely wrong. My bathroom scale says I'm 140 but I know for a fact that I'm 127 (doctors visits, etc).

wyze

You have to weigh on a hard flat surface. If you weigh on carpet, it wont be accurate. If you weigh on an uneven surface, it wont be accurate. It isnt possible to gain 20lbs in one day. I weigh myself a lot, but i also measure myself which is what i really rely on and not the scale.

Good luck

mistigoodwin

Does your scale take batteries? If it does, I would start by changing them.

WaterBunnie

I don't believe 20lbs difference in one day is even possible, it's more likely to be a problem with the scales. Why not weigh on the machine at your local gym or pharmacy and trust that rather than a domestic scale? My home scales are all over the place but never accurate!

juicemoogan

you need to have your scale on a flat hard surface and keep it in one place only. Never put it on a carpet.

If you move it the reading will change.

also you should only weigh yourself in the same situation at the same time of day.

EG right in the morning in the buff.

If you weight after eating all day and wearing clothes and working out, its gonna give a wildly different reading.

Be as consistent as possible on the conditions to get a more consistent measure.

bellabijou

Oh well no wonder - its the carpet. It will always give you a different reading! Never use a scale on carpeted floor, always on a hard surface.

gigiangelique

water weight ? I say go see a doc.

tmoore_20

You guys make me feel better! But I am NOT going to go home and weigh myself again, because I know how I am.

karenlquiroz

That's why they say to weigh ONLY on ONE scale. Scales are set differently, so only use the same scale, cut back on weighing yourself so often, and no carpet! :happy:

Purple_Orchid_87

its not just that scales need to be on a FLAT surface, they need to be on a HARD surface - laminate flooring, lino etc
carpet is flat, but not hard.....

specialkyc

The carpet is the problem. I once weighed myself on carpet just to see what the scale said and it read about 100 pounds less than I actually was. It would have been nice if it was true, but not so much.

barmum

I think there's several things that affect weight readings ,
1- time of day
2-clothes
3-accuracy of scales (hence why I've asked the nurse at my local surgery to weigh me )
4 - Time of month for ladies !!

But overall I'd say yes weigh yourself in the same place x Carpet was probably the culprit

kiddoc88

the scale is often a dirty liar.. they can be mis calibrated.. and bodyweight fluctuates naturally depending on many factors ( water retention, soduim, TOM etc) like the others have said, body fat% , clothing fit, and how you feel are much more important

Beleg

I do weigh myself every monday morning when I wake up. But its just a number. I measure my neck waist and hips Once a week. That is where I see the difference regardless of what the scale says. I went 3 weeks gaining and losing the same 1.5 lbs but in that 3 weeks I lost 2 inches on all 3 measurements So I know I was doing the right things. Hope this helps.

vendygirl

No two scales are the same so pick one and just use that one. Also, as others have said, don't weight yourself twice a day. Stick to once and it is always better to do that in the morning however I would opt for the once a week or once a month. Daily can be discouraging for sure.

And the scale is only 1 part of it all. Better indicator is how your clothes fit.

Lyssa62

LOL ok I just put my scale on carpet ..got on and I gained 40 lbs since yesterday... IT"S THE CARPET!!!!

Sabresgal63

Buy a new scale:bigsmile:

tigerblue

It's probably the carpet/floor thing that everyone is saying. But for women, there are some medical issues (ovarian cysts, etc) that can cause HUGE changes in weight very quickly, so if you can't figure out what is going on, I'd make sure and see a doctor.

lifescircle

Go for once a week... and of course, un-carpeted floor. Makes you build a little patience with yourself. Focus on your health, your diet, your exercise and the way you feel... and your clothes... and not just the weight. You KNOW when you're making progress.

Don't let a scale determine your worth and get you down. It's only a tool.

Chin up! You're doing fine... JUST KEEP DOING.

snapdoodle1

excuse my bluntess maybe you needed to go potty.or maybe getting time for your period..and weighing on carpet isnt accurante.water muscle..clothes shoes

Jennvandemark

20 pounds that's crazy. Its the scale no you so don't stress, Keep up your great work and keep pushing forward. I personally weigh myself everyday on my home scale. I like to see the numbers drop and if they go up that pushes me even harder at the gym. You are doing great!!!

Annaruthus

After my first workout of the day, probably because of the 1-2 liters of water and the preworkout snack, plus the postworkout shake, I can be 5 pounds heavier. Weight once a day (once a week is better) to more accurately track your loss. Better still, get a tape measure and keep track of your measurements. This will give you an idea of where you are losing fat.

simplydelish2

Scales won't weigh correctly on a carpeted surface. They need to be on a flat solid surface - that could be part of the issue. The other part is clothes, what you've had to eat and drink today, etc.

My advice - weight once a week, first thing in the a.m. (after a potty run) and that's it. Expect a 1-2 lb loss a week and you'll be good to go!

You can do this!