The Scale says...erm..different stuff!

I think the important thing is to regularly use 1 scale (yours at home). I've heard of people testing their scales but putting 5 pound bags of sugar or something heavy to see how accurate it is. As long as the numbers go down....it's all good.

Reajust your own scale by putting a 5lbs dumbbell on it (or any other dumbbell with a known weight).

i agree with just using one scale and paying attention to whether the numbers go down or not.

However, if you want another scale, join your local Freecycle (google it) and get a free one.

I jumped on the scale the other day and didn't let it go to zero first, it weighed me as 57 lbs lighter.... Don't obsess over the scale. Keep doing what you should be and see if the number drops. If not, go to your Dr's office or the health dept. They have better scales.

Take measurements.

I own three scales and they all show a different weight, with a 6-lb spread from the highest to the lowest. I don't get on one, then walk to the other and say "ZOMG I gained 6 lbs!!". I just use one and keep track of what it says, and only it. You need to resist the urge to jump on every scale you see. It'll just drive you crazy.

You said your scale doesn't show zero even when nothing'as on it...is it a dial scale? Don't those all have a little adjustment thingy on one side to set it back to zero when it wanders?

That is an awful lot of weighing.

Your weight fluctuates during the day, sometimes wildly. Just try to be consistent, use your home scale.

It's also time for you to focus on other measures of success than just the scale. Do your clothes fit better? If you are working out, have you had any increases in your performance?

The scale is just one measure of success, and it's not even the best one.

Most analog scales (ones with a dial) have an adjustment on them to zero them out. The Doctor scales (if they are the old balance type) have a screw to balance them at zero. The adjustment on the scales I have been in contact with is usually found on beneath the back of the scale where the dial is located. That being said, I was recently in Fort Walton on vacation and was at the exercise room at the motel... I stepped on the scale and wanted to take them home with me right away since they told me that I was 170 pounds--and it had zeroed out before I stepped on it... (I knew it was a lie since I had weighed in at home at 220 and this closely matches all the scales that I have access to so oh, well)... Obviously, it was in as good of shape as the weight machine was (deteriorated cables)... All that being said, try to find the adjustment on your scales and monitor the progress that way. Your most accurate weight will likley be the Doctor weight (taking into account the clothes you are wearing at the time and the time of day)... However, your weight trend is more what you are trying to monitor.. As one other person indicated, it really is more about your measurements, how your clothes feel, etc that shows progress because body fat reduction is really what you are after and if you are doing any strength training at all, you may well be making more progress than what the scale indicates... If not, perhaps less real progress than the scale indicates.

Best wishes on your endeavour.

The Weight Watchers scale is so far the most accurate I've ever used besides a doctor's. Only off by half a pound to a pound, depending on weight. I don't usually support digital scales but this was the best.

I found you a new scale...

This made me laugh. A lot of posts seem to be about measurements. I took them once, a month ago. I suppose I should keep up with those more.

Not that scales are useless, but the measurements you take are probably more helpful in determining what kind of progress you're making. Although I have to admit, I was lazy and just went by how my pants fit. When I got down to size 32, I knew I made it.

I'm buying a bathroom scale so I can weight once a week, the same day and time of day each week, with as few clothes on as possible so that won't throw off the readings either. (I'd do monthly, but I know I'll still be dealing with water weight, etc. So weekly should average out better and show the trend.)

Second, last week I asked a friend to help me take the measurements MFP recommended (Neck, Waist & Hips), noticed I could add more, and he suggested Bicep and Calf. I'll get those taken around the first of every month and will hopefully see a downward trend there as well.

However you do it, just keep doing your best to keep losing to your goal and when people say you look slimmer, even if you don't see it yourself, say "Thank You" and accept that THEY see it for you.

I found you a new scale...

^^^100% this...and taking progress photos. I have reached the point where progress photos haven't shown much change, so I started taking measurements last month. Seeing the inches melt away has been incredibly helpful and motivating--especially when the number on the scale isn't moving!