Bought new scales...discouraging

I bought some new bathroom scales today after our old ones broke a few months ago. After three weeks of burning about 450 calories a day, my clothes are looser and I can feel my muscles toning. But these scales say that I have GAINED 13 lbs!! Hubby got on them and was his same old weight....how can I have GAINED when I exercise every day, watch my calories, gave up all booze and only drink water???

Replies

avababy05

I've given up my scale for this month because I was discouraged as well.But I also started weights about three months ago so I know it's normal to gain a few pounds.

What are you doing for exercise?

Qsik

I know how you feel. I haven't bought new scales but I have been doing everything right...eating lots of fresh vegetables, logging food, exercising, drinking at least 8 glasses of water and...have not lost ANY weight in the last 3 weeks. So disheartened. I am in a '12 week challenge' with some friends and everyone else is powering along wiht their weight loss. (we are in week 9)

KaraKramerRapp

Muscle weighs more than fat. It could be that you are loosing fat and gaining muscle.

I feel the same way, I watch what I eat, drink only water (8-12 cups a day) and do a minimum of 2 miles of walking a day. I've gained and lost and gained and lost over the last month. The suggestion I was given was to measure more than just weight. I'm going to do that tonight, measure my hips, bust, thighs and arms, and see if that changes.

WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr

Whoa, wait, hold the phone!!!!! Don't get discouraged! (My trainer keeps reminding me of this when I get discouraged when I get on the scale because my weight has gone up, so I am passing on the encouragement)
You said your clothes are getting looser (Yay you!!! Celebrate that!!!!) and you can feel your muscles toning (think about how GREAT you look with those nice toned muscles when buy that smaller size because your clothes are loose.) Those are great things and yes, you're going to gain when you get more muscles (I know, I know you should have seen the look I gave my trainer when she says that the last 10 lbs I've gained in the last 7 months is muscle!)

Just keep working at it, maybe get a measuring tape and check your measurements go by that rather than the number on that mean ole scale (yes, I'm still waiting on the day that I will get on a scale and see the numbers go down... and I have to get on a scale on Monday for my annual physical, not looking forward to that nasty event!)

Keep up the good work you're doing and don't give up!!!

Qsik

I think this is a good idea. I feel as though I have lost weight and my clothes are definitely fitting better/looser so it is just a big downer when you expect the scales to reflect this and it hasn't changed or worse - gone up. Measuring might help to keep motivated

Wetcoaster

Your clothes are looser........dont look at the scale.

Qsik

Thanks , puts things in perspective.

sueclare38

I bought new digital scales cos it's hard to read the markings on the normal old type scales, and the new ones said I weighed around 7lb more than on my old scales. Jumped on the wii fit board and that told me I weigh exactly what the old scales told me. conclusion, newer doesn't always mean better,lol.

Earthgrrrlll

After a gastrointestinal bypass last August and a take down in December, I have developed an incisional hernia in my abdomen...so I can only walk, swim or do modified yoga...which I have been doing. I walk at least an hour each day (4 miles) and I swim for an hour 2xs a week. I do an hour of yoga twice a week.

Earthgrrrlll

Thank you Westcoaster!

LoveCR22

Muscle weighs more than fat. It could be that you are loosing fat and gaining muscle.

Nope

Muscle takes up less space than fat but a pound of muscle would weigh the same as a pound of fat.
A pound is a pound doesn't matter what it's made of.

777twist

Muscle weighs more than fat. It could be that you are loosing fat and gaining muscle.

Nope

Muscle takes up less space than fat but a pound of muscle would weigh the same as a pound of fat.
A pound is a pound doesn't matter what it's made of.

Well YES and NO. LoveCR22 is correct, but I think the point that was being made is if her clothes are more loose than before, then she's obviously losing inches... but if the scale isn't showing the losses she expects, then she could be building muscle while losing fat. And there's no real way of knowing that with the information we have.

My suggestion... try and have two scales from different manufactures. Or right after you weigh yourself, try and weigh yourself on some other scale (supermarket, etc...) to see if it tracks. If your scale showed ##2.4 and another scale shows ##3.1 and then when you weigh yourself next time they stay consistently seven 10ths apart, then you know you are good to go. If they fluctuate a lot, then one of the scales is very inconsistent and you will need to find a new one.

We had a scale at work that was about year old and got moved a lot, and it just stopped registering the correct weight for certain people. Some scales will register correct at a certain amount of weight, but not correct for another. That's a malfunction and needs to be fixed or replaced.

I agree with most everyone else though, if you are losing inches and clothes are more loose, then take that as your encouragement.

Kst76

I hate scales when they are mean to me. We just bought a digital WW scale with a 450 pound capacity. It's made of glass and really big. I weigh less on that scale then the doctors scale. But my scale weighs the same as the gym scale soooooo, screw the doctors scale.

caly_man

it might be really hard to do...

but try weighing yourself just once a month

ziggiezambi

I went form 140 to 123 now my scale says I'm not loosing anymore but my belts to the point where I neet to add more knotches its so loose. I think maybe its muscle I am eating about 1300 calories each day and exercising.

stacek4

I highly recommend the Health-O-Meter body fat scale. It reads your weight, BMI, body fat percent, and also the percentage of your weight that's water. I, too, got frustrated constantly when seeing the number on the scale never changing, or just going up and up. It got to the point where I became obsessed and was weighing myself 2-3 times A DAY (yes, I realize that's the worst thing you can do however it became an addiction to weigh myself). This scale has allowed me to see all the aspects of my weight besides just the number. Definitely a recommendation :-)

drvvork

muscle vs fat ... fat takes up much more room. I wouldn't lose sleep over the scale increase. Did you calibrate your scales? Are you weighing in the AM when you first wake? Are you weighing in your birthday suit or the same clothes? There are so many factors to show a weight-gain but the important thing is you are feeling toner and clothes are looser. Enjoy the NSV's.

Kst76

Your clothes are looser........dont look at the scale.

That is really hard not to do. Because those darn numbers are imprinted in your mind. lol But yes, better fitting clothes are the best indicator that you are losing weight.

aquarius0202

thanks also for the encouragement!!! I have been doing zumba, boot camp, + just started yoga, too. but yes, my scale + the MFP
weight loss weekly goals aren't quite in sync. I won't give up but I must find the source! I am also looking into my medications -
that can also affect weight loss.

aquarius0202

which stores carry that brand? I live in new York state...

stacek4

I've found the Health-O-Meter scales right in Walmart in the home improvement section for "bathroom". They have their own little section for scales and measuring tools

chasetwins

I was NEVER a believer that muscle weighed more than fat...until one of my clients proved me wrong. She was my age - almost my exact height but appeared a HELL OF A LOT thinner and tried saying she weighed almost as much as me. She was an avid swimmer and worked out every night of the week...I tried calling her bluff with the scale....she weighed MORE than me!!!!

If your clothes are looser...start measuring your body and try to get something to measure your body fat and give up the traditional pounds scale

cook6609

I don't know if this could play a part in your bathroom, but it did mine... The floor in my bathroom is tile... The problem with this was that my scale was never balanced. I could get on three different times and have three different numbers. Finally, I ended up moving my scale downstairs. You have to find a perfectly (non-carpeted lol) leveled place to keep your scale and to weigh yourself. Otherwise, the number will not be accurate. It was so off one time that it said that I was 176 lbs when I was definitely 220lbs (quite the opposite direction as your move, but just showing a point).

Doodlewhopper

If you are new to exercising you probably are retaining water. Chill, you will probably be seeing a nice drop in weight all of a sudden. BTW weight loss is not linear. It is erratic and has plateaus. Patience grasshopper. Your weight will be following those lost inches.

Doodlewhopper

I was NEVER a believer that muscle weighed more than fat...until one of my clients proved me wrong. She was my age - almost my exact height but appeared a HELL OF A LOT thinner and tried saying she weighed almost as much as me. She was an avid swimmer and worked out every night of the week...I tried calling her bluff with the scale....she weighed MORE than me!!!!

If your clothes are looser...start measuring your body and try to get something to measure your body fat and give up the traditional pounds scale

Right on. 1 cu foot of lead weighs more than 1 cu foot of feathers. Fat people float on water, muscular people sink.

On average; a female scuba diver weighing 150Lb will need more weight to hold her under than what a 150Lb man does. Women typically have more body fat and less muscle than a man.

JudithEssex

I think we have the problem. I am tracking, moving, drinking H2O - and have lost 4 pounds in about 5 weeks. UG! I have 15 more to go.

ChgingMe

Muscle weighs more than fat. It could be that you are loosing fat and gaining muscle.

Nope

Muscle takes up less space than fat but a pound of muscle would weigh the same as a pound of fat.
A pound is a pound doesn't matter what it's made of.

Yes!! thank you

Qsik

Muscle weighs more than fat. It could be that you are loosing fat and gaining muscle.

Nope

Muscle takes up less space than fat but a pound of muscle would weigh the same as a pound of fat.
A pound is a pound doesn't matter what it's made of.

Yes!! thank you

This would kind of explain the smaller size but no change in weight....muscle not weighing MORE than fat but..... replacing 1lb of fat with 1lb of muscle would take up less 'space' ie actually losing inches not lbs

Thanks to everyone for explanations and encouragement. It helps to just know others are dealing with the same thing

kellygirl5538

Forget the scale...keep within calorie range and exercise.!

bookyeti

Read this: www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/580019