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Which number should I believe? (Dumb scale)

trekkiebeth
trekkiebeth Posts: 172
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
After going a month without weighing myself and gaining a pound, I decided to start weighing myself daily to learn about how my weight fluctuates on a daily basis.

I stepped on the scale this morning and it said that I GAINED 0.4 pounds since yesterday. I was disappointed, but decided to go ahead and let the scale record the weight, so I stepped on again. This time it said I LOST 0.4 pounds since yesterday. There was literally 5 seconds between the two results, and I'm pretty sure a person can't lose 0.8 pounds in 5 seconds.

I'm writing down what my weight is each day so that I can keep track of any patterns that I might be able to learn something from. But what do I put down when my scale can't make up its mind?

Replies

  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,366 Member
    I am guessing +/- .4 pounds is the margin of error on your scale. It might be larger, but it will be at least that. Most scales won't tell you that. Interestingly, at least to me, my kitchen scale manual said it margin of error is +/- 1 gram. I had not seen that with most kitchen scales. I have never seen that will a scale for people. It is a good lesson on measuring stuff. Unless you are going to shell out a lot of money, scales are close, but not right on. I am guessing most are within +/- 1 or so pounds which would give a range of 2 or so pounds possible error in total.
  • trekkiebeth
    trekkiebeth Posts: 172
    So I guess that means I can't actually monitor my daily weight fluctuations.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,366 Member
    You can, but realize it will not be perfectly accurate. I weigh every day, but only watch trends. If I am up .4 pounds one day and down .4 the next I just record it and watch the trend. Also watch how you are standing on the scale, as that will effect how it measures.
This discussion has been closed.

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