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Different scales...

AMcSta
AMcSta Posts: 15 Member
edited November 9 in Social Groups
Had the same set of weighing scales for over ten years. Ordered a new set in the sales but they are saying I'm 2.5 kg heavier. Feeling quite rubbish!! Been really focused and motivated on losing weight but now the goal is further away and I was a lot heavier when I started than I thought I was! Was just within normal bmi on old scales.

Do I start logging on the new scales? Even if it shows an overnight gain of 2.5kg. Feels very demoralising! I know it's silly!

Replies

  • cycletrak1
    cycletrak1 Posts: 607 Member
    I had the same thing happen to me during the Christmas Challenge. The new scales showed that I weighed 4 pound more!! Grrrr

    They say scales have a 1% error rate over 100 pounds and a 2% error rate over 200 pounds! I put a 10 pound weight on the scale and it was dead on.

    I was so depressed with the new scales, but I was so proud when I lost those "extra new scale" pounds!

    So to make my life simpler, I just added the 4 pounds to the previously reported weight.

    I also went into MFP and edited all my previous weights. It took a little while but not too long as I had just re-joined in Aug 2014.

    It's up to you how you want to handle it.

    But yeah....it really deflates your momentum! It messes with your head...your body hasn't changed, just the number on the scale has!!

    :flowerforyou:







  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    I came out heavier on the Wii. I decided to ignore it and keep recording on my bathroom scale--the fact that I'm heavier on one scale does not take away from the fact that I've lost 33 pounds.
  • cycletrak1
    cycletrak1 Posts: 607 Member
    edited January 2015
    obscuremusicreference wrote: »
    I came out heavier on the Wii. I decided to ignore it and keep recording on my bathroom scale--the fact that I'm heavier on one scale does not take away from the fact that I've lost 33 pounds.

    @obscuremusicreference You are correct.

    If I weighed heavier on the Wii, it probably wouldn't have bothered me as much because I guess I don't think of the Wii as an accurate scale, though it may well be.

    Whereas a "bathroom" scale I wouldn't think would vary by much, not realizing that the accuracy can change a great deal from scale to scale. A scale is not something you change regularly.

    I know it's silly....but it did mess with my head and made be feel the same as @AMcSta.

    I got over it of course, because I put the same logic that you put forth into my thought process and got rid of the other "bad" thoughts. And I lived to weigh another day :laugh:

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited January 2015
    Weight – So many things can affect weight, because of this it shouldn’t be the only way you track your progress. Things to keep in mind:
    • Always use the same scale – Different scales can show different weights. You will get the most accurate number for tracking when using the same scale.
    • Don’t move the scale – Carpet, uneven flooring, different types of flooring…can all affect the weight on the scale. So when you weigh, you want it to be approximately the same spot for the most accurate number for tracking.
    • 3500 calories – To gain 1lb of fat you need to be over maintenance by 3500 calories.
    • Muscle Repair – Muscles will hold onto water to repair, because of this it is not uncommon to see a gain for a little while after a workout. This weight comes right back off when they are done repairing.
    • Sodium – Can cause you to retain water. This can also be amplified if you don’t drink enough to flush it out of your system. This is also another reason for temporary weight gain.
    • Water – Not drinking enough water can actually cause you to retain water. Recommended amount is 8 cups or 64oz. I drink 64 oz to 128 oz of water a day. It doesn’t have to be plain water either. I like to flavor mine with crystal light or tea.
    • Time of day – Your weight can fluctuate throughout the day. So for the most accurate tracking, you want to weigh at around the same time.
    • Frequency – This is up to you, but if small fluctuations bother you than only weigh once a week or less.
    • Lightest Weight – Will be naked, first thing in the morning, after using the bathroom
    • Multiple times a Day – Don’t Do It. As I said before, your weight will fluctuate throughout the day. What you eat, what you’re wearing, ect will all affect weight.
    • Clothes – If you weigh with clothing on, keep in mind that the scale will show your weight plus the weight of your clothes. (Jeans are heavy)
    • TOM - A lot of women will retain water around their TOM, but its just temporary and will go away.

    So did you place the new scale in the exact same spot as the old?
    Did you test the accuracy with something of a known weight? (dumbbell for example)

    Either way you still lost the same amount of weight and that is something to be proud of regardless. :flowerforyou:
  • cycletrak1
    cycletrak1 Posts: 607 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Weight – So many things can affect weight, because of this it shouldn’t be the only way you track your progress. Things to keep in mind:

    @shadow2soul Love the weight reminder list! It's soooo true! Thanks for sharing! :)

    I now take measurements too, whereas before I was relying only on the scale.

    Measuring allowed me to see that I was losing inches even though the scale did not move for 3 weeks.

    So glad I started measuring! :wink:

    :flowerforyou:
  • AMcSta
    AMcSta Posts: 15 Member
    Thank you lovely people. Made me feel a lot better : )
  • h3ll3tt
    h3ll3tt Posts: 28
    I'm feeling pretty down today due to a scale issue. Went to my doctor and her scale had me 6 pounds more than I am according to my everyday scale. Bummed me quite a bit, and I had a moment of emotional eating (just a minute though lol). Hubby tells me to ignore it, but it's weighing (lol) on me quite a bit.
  • lindadprice
    lindadprice Posts: 150 Member
    This happen to me last year. I was using a cheap scale and it said I was 10 lbs lighter than I was. I would weigh myself on my parents scale at there house and it would say I'm heavier. When I went to my doctors office they said I was 10lbs heavier than I thought. I got an electronic one and it's more accurate. You have to be honest about your weight if you want to make a change. Whatever you weigh shouldn't be the focus but that you are getting healthier.
  • h3ll3tt
    h3ll3tt Posts: 28
    My everyday scale is an incredibly expensive and high tech one at my gym. I trust it pretty well. The scale at my doctors office is pretty cheap and crappy. I'm definitely honest about my weight, it just bums me out that their scale sucks so bad.
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