The dreaded weigh in and scale discrepancy!!

antypim89
antypim89 Posts: 31 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
ADVICE NEEDED.

So i need to weigh- on Friday for an online nutrition and exercise plan- after a month of clean eating hard work and heavy lifting. I've been eating at roughly what I calculate to be my maintenance. This is my second weigh in, during my last one i weighed 9st 8lbs (60.9kg, 132lbs) with probably around 28% BF.

Now I have my second weigh in on Friday. However during my mini weigh- ins- which I don't generally pay attention too I noticed something wired.

My scale at home now says I am 9st 11lbs (62kg or 137lbs THIS IS REALLY HEAVY FOR ME AND I DONT FEEL THIS HEAVY), the scales at the gym swing between 9st 5lbs (59kg or 130lbs) and 9st 6lbs (60kg or 132lbs).............So i hope you can see there's quite a difference and unfortunately its the difference between progression and substantial regression :( !!

I then weighed myself at kickboxing gym at night in an attempt to demystify the situation and was 9st 11lbs (62kg, 137lbs). Which riddled the puzzle further because if I was 9st 11lb (62kg, 137lbs) in the morning then if I ate and drank all day i would weigh heavier not the same as my home scales!

Now i know i shouldn't go off weight because i feel great I know there are some composition changes but in terms of knowing maintenance calories roughly ect ect and getting this weigh- in right, its actually pretty important.

So my question is: should I weigh myself at home then use the two gym scales (there is a spare set there) to take an average? Also I spend a good bit of money on my home scales so if they are wrong i think i will spend them back! As the gym ones are calibrated often.


Thanks in advance and sorry for the lengthy question!

Loves!!

Me <3 (*) :#

Replies

  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    edited November 2014
    Pick ONE set of scales and use it exclusively for your tracking. Scales are going to have different levels of accuracy. Things like time of day, scale calibration, what you're wearing (or not wearing), how much food is in your gut, if you've used the bathroom recently, are all going to play into the differences you see. If you weigh on several sets of scales you are BEGGING for frustration. You can weigh on as many as you'd like, but for your ultimate progress tracking pick ONE and go with what it says, exclusively. As long as the trend is one of loss, according to that one scale, then ignore the fluctuations you see on the other scales.
  • joolsmd
    joolsmd Posts: 375 Member
    edited November 2014
    Gym scales will weigh differently due to the amount of people who use them, humidity in the gym, where they are placed and so on. If you are going to monitor your weight loss/fitness on weight alone then you need to weigh yourself on the same set of scales, probably at the same time of the day and day of the month, pretty religiously.

    I can weigh myself on my scales then move them to another part of the house and the weight showing will be different. So many factors have to be taken into account: are they on carpet or hard floor? Are they in the bathroom where steam might affect them. Are they old style spring or weights, or new style digital? How often are they calibrated? (And don't assume they are). Every set of weights is different, and every location is different.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    you can only map progress on one set of scales - you can't pick and choose

  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    It is easy to overlook how much our clothes weigh. Last Saturday, I stepped on the scales, expecting to have lost weight, but it was higher than I hoped. After I removed my T-shirt and double-knit shorts, it dropped down to a number closer to what I had expected.
  • Steff46
    Steff46 Posts: 516 Member
    Yes, pick one set of scales. You will make yourself crazy if you don't. I weigh myself every morning around the same time on the same set of scales. I used to do the same thing you are doing and I just had to back away and use my own scales. I still look at the gym scales and wave though :)
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    When I went to a sports science lab for a body composition test which included being weighed accurately (their scales are calibrated daily) I took along my expensive (£90) home scales that also work as BIA body compostion measure for a comparison. Turns out my £90 scales are 2lbs out and my cheapo (£20) set of basic bathroom scales are accurate.

    Use one set of scales, same time of day, same clothes (or none preferably - causes hilarity in the gym though).
    Weighing at the gym introduces a load of varibles from clothes & shoes to hydration levels. The water you just drank during your workout probably weighs a pound remember.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Same time, same place and same bat channel. Consistency is what counts here, so use one scale.
  • antypim89
    antypim89 Posts: 31 Member
    Thanks everyone! I think I was just about ready to go mental yesterday, this morning with your comments I feel ready for chest and back day
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
    You need to weigh on the same scales, at the same time, and the same day - Only weigh once a week.

    Your weighing way too much, It will be all over the place. Water weight, food, hydration etc. Once a week is so much more accurate at the same time.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories