Scale Problems - Weight fluctuation - Suggestions Please

Puggles04
Puggles04 Posts: 37
in Health and Weight Loss
Every time I weigh myself, there could be up to a 5lb difference from the day or two before. I usually weigh myself 3 times in a row, then average it. Any suggestions on a decent less than $25 scale?

Replies

  • Puggles04
    Puggles04 Posts: 37
    Any?...
  • BrandyontheRun
    BrandyontheRun Posts: 204 Member
    It's normal for your weight to fluctuate a few pounds from day to day, even from morning to evening it will fluctuate. Thats why it's suggested that you weigh in once a week, at the same time. And using the same scale of course as your weight will differ scale to scale.

    That being said, Sorry I have no idea on a good scale in that price range!
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    the 3 times you weigh, are they close?

    How is your salt intake looking?

    If your scale is reading the same for 3 times, ten off the next day, I would guess the fluctuation is coming from either water retention or possibly the scale being moved around and maybe an uneven floor. You can try not moving your scale if you are currently moving it around and see if that helps.
  • 4mydogs
    4mydogs Posts: 66 Member
    Weigh in once a month or every two weeks. Focus on the positive lifestyle changes
    you are making. I only weigh in once a month, it has really helped me focus on fitness and nutrition. Also I am no longer seeking any success or failure weekly from my scale, your weight is only one factor.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Every time I weigh myself, there could be up to a 5lb difference from the day before. I usually weigh myself 3 times, then average it. Any suggestions on a decent less than $25 scale?

    Hate to tell you this, but even a "nice" scale will have weight fluctations....because a humans weight fluctiates through out the day/week. You should look for a downward trend, not hour to hour note taking.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Every time I weigh myself, there could be up to a 5lb difference from the day before. I usually weigh myself 3 times, then average it. Any suggestions on a decent less than $25 scale?


    STOP weighing yourself 3 times a day! Pick one day a week to weigh in or even better one day a month. Stop focusing on the scale to tell you if you've lost weight. Go by how you look and how you feel!
  • schicksa
    schicksa Posts: 123 Member
    5lbs is a lot of weight fluctuation day-to-day. Is that fluctuation from the day previous or are you weighing multiple times in one day? Some things to check: Make sure you're weighing in at the same time of day every time you weigh. First thing in the morning, after you go to the bathroom is best if you want to see a lower number. :-) Once a week on the same day is best, it gives you the most accurate read of your overall progress without the day-to-day fluctuation.

    Make sure your scale is on a flat, non-carpeted surface. Also although the bathroom is usually the best place for it, unfortunately the humidity, etc from the shower will ruin it after a while. I got a nice digital scale at target for about $30. It's lasted me a few years and I just replaced the battery in it. You can get a non-digital one cheaper but I like the digital for it's accuracy. You have to calibrate the non-digital ones and again, with the bathroom humidity that can mess with the consistency and accuracy of weigh-ins.
  • Puggles04
    Puggles04 Posts: 37
    I do not take the daily one too seriously. More for a just to see type of thing. I am going more by inches lost and stamina than weight. I know as I gain muscle and lose fat, my weight will change or none at all as well. I was just trying to figure out if it more my scale, or me that is causing the discrepancies.
  • crazy4fids
    crazy4fids Posts: 173
    I concur...there is nothing wrong with your scale. I have done the same thing in the past and my weight does the same thing. Water weight can make a big difference. I quit weighing on a daily basis and now only weigh in once a week.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    my suggestion is to stop weighing like crazy.
  • lc52820
    lc52820 Posts: 76 Member
    Something you may also want to consider is taking measurements every few weeks or so...there is a place on MFP to record them. There are times where I wasn't losing weight but I was losing inches which is encouraging when you feel like you're in a bit of a slump :smile:
  • Puggles04
    Puggles04 Posts: 37
    I weigh myself three time in a row in order to get a more accurate reading because my scale is not digital.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    makes sense. In that case, ANY digital scale is going to be a lot better. Most do a calibration as soon as you turn it on, so they are pretty accurate in the short term.
  • doubleduofa
    doubleduofa Posts: 284 Member
    Water retention...

    Have you had your thyroid checked? When my was out of whack, I would gain 7-10 lbs in a day. Ridiculous.

    Also, what is your sugar intake like? Do you eat a lot of white bread, pasta, rice, candies, etc? Your body will retain water the higher your blood sugar goes. (There is lots of science behind this, so google to read about it). This is worse if you have endocrine issues - like low thyroid, hormone imbalance, adrenal problems.
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    :sad: I hate my scale
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    your weight is always going to fluctuate, regardless of the scale. i use the weight watchers digital scale with the glass platform, its really nice, but even i have weight fluctuations on that scale. our bodies react differently to different food. for example, if i eat alot of ketchup with my dinner, i know im going to be up a pound or 2 the next day... not of fat, but from water retention from the sodium... its a good idea to drink alot of water after your meals to help flush some of the excess sodium from your sytstem, other than that, theres nothing you can do... your weight will fluctuate, regardless of what you do.
  • sujenwujen
    sujenwujen Posts: 43 Member
    I got a Weight Watchers digital scale last year at Target. I think it was about $35-$45. It's glass with two metal plates on the sides so that it can also calculate your % body fat & % body water (like the handheld devices at the gym). It also does the math to calculate my BMI (you enter your age, sex, & height). It's been pretty accurate.

    That said, you CANNOT weigh yourself 3 times a day & expect the results to be the same.If I weigh myself in the morning, and then again at night, it's entirely possible that there will be a 2-5 lb. difference. Out of curiosity, I will sometimes weigh myself before & after a big meal. Holy cow! Chips & salsa is a killer! I've packed on 5 lbs. after tacos & margaritas. But the next morning, after I've had a good night's sleep & everything has digested properly, the number will be down again. You've got to pick ONE time (preferably in the morning before you've eaten anything), and weigh once.

    My official weigh-in is Sunday morning. As soon as I wake up, I head to the scale. Even if I sleep 'til noon, I weigh as soon as I wake up on Sunday. That's been the most accurate way for me to keep track & to keep myself honest.
  • flying_inside
    flying_inside Posts: 67 Member
    I had the same problem with digitals. I switched over to an analog scale and it's been on-point each time.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    It is normal for weight to fluctuate day to day. That is why you should be sticking to only weighing yourself once a week. The same time on the same day. Mine is Mondays when I wake up.
  • CorvusCorax77
    CorvusCorax77 Posts: 2,536 Member
    my weight had been known to flucturate up to 10 lbs depending on water retention, time of my cycle, etc. Don't stress the details and focus on overall patterns. I just keep track of my new lows/highs on the scale. It used to fluctuate from 164-174. Now it fluctuates from 134-138. There were times I weighed less and times I weighed more, but the range of fluctuation was going down.
  • wswilliams67
    wswilliams67 Posts: 938 Member
    First, your weight can fluctuate 3-5 pounds DAILY due to water. Stop weighing yourself every day.

    Next, get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Bathroom-Technology/dp/B001KXZ808/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357593140&sr=8-2&keywords=eatright

    Self-calibrating and very accurate. Mine matches my doctor's digital scale to the tenth of an ounce.

    Also consider getting a body comp meter like this: http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306C-Loss-Monitor-Black/dp/B000FYZMYK/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1357593271&sr=1-5&keywords=omron

    The scale is just one tool. All it does is show the pull of gravity on your body. The BC meter shows you exactly what your body is made up of, fat vs. muscle.

    I do weigh myself 3 times in a row though to make sure the numbers are the same each time.

    Good luck
  • jericson929
    jericson929 Posts: 7 Member
    That is completely normal. That is why most experts suggest you only weight weekly. I know that is hard and I do weigh each day but your official weigh-in should be less frequently. When you weigh, try to review what you did the previous day and learn from it. Otherwise, relax.....it is the overall, long-term loss you are looking for.
  • Angie1366
    Angie1366 Posts: 85
    If you are becoming too obsessed with the scales - try binning them and use a friends or relatives, so you can't just keep on getting on and off!!! Stick to once a week... OR use a local gym/doctors scales... a tape measure and the feeling of your clothes!

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