Digital scale gives me two different numbers

JazzKazz150
JazzKazz150 Posts: 11 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone ! I've been weighing myself every week on my digital scale in my washroom (tiled floors). The problem is, the first time I step up it gives me 178 even after watching what I eat and working out (granted I haven't been working out for an hour since i got a new job in retail, but I've been managing at least 20 to 30 minutes and watching what I eat). Now, the second time I get on my scale, it shows me 4 pounds lighter. Odd. I get off the scale and on again and it shows the same number (174) each time I get on and off. I tried another digital scale and the same numbers show up. First time I step on, it says 178. Second time I step on, 174. I check my weight every Friday after I've gone to the washroom and before I eat breakfast. But my question is, what number do I trust ? 178 or 174? Thanks ! :)

Replies

  • ncboiler89
    ncboiler89 Posts: 2,408 Member
    JazzKazz150 wrote: »
    Hello everyone ! I've been weighing myself every week on my digital scale in my washroom (tiled floors). The problem is, the first time I step up it gives me 178 even after watching what I eat and working out (granted I haven't been working out for an hour since i got a new job in retail, but I've been managing at least 20 to 30 minutes and watching what I eat). Now, the second time I get on my scale, it shows me 4 pounds lighter. Odd. I get off the scale and on again and it shows the same number (174) each time I get on and off. I tried another digital scale and the same numbers show up. First time I step on, it says 178. Second time I step on, 174. I check my weight every Friday after I've gone to the washroom and before I eat breakfast. But my question is, what number do I trust ? 178 or 174? Thanks ! :)

    Take an average.
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
    Stop re-weighing yourself. Get on the scale, note the number, move on with your life. What's the plan of checking over and over?
  • ncboiler89
    ncboiler89 Posts: 2,408 Member
    Zedeff wrote: »
    Stop re-weighing yourself. Get on the scale, note the number, move on with your life. What's the plan of checking over and over?

    Better advice.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Check once a week in the morning before you eat anything.
  • ncboiler89
    ncboiler89 Posts: 2,408 Member
    RodaRose wrote: »
    Check once a week in the morning before you eat anything.

    Not always the best advice.
  • natalialikescookies
    natalialikescookies Posts: 72 Member
    edited July 2015
    My scale started doing that (3lbs actually) and eventually started giving all random numbers. I replaced it since it was obviously wonky.
    I did compare both my and my son's weight on my old scale to the weight on the scale at the doc's and the lower weight seemed to be more correct.

    Edited for typos
  • JazzKazz150
    JazzKazz150 Posts: 11 Member
    Zedeff wrote: »
    Stop re-weighing yourself. Get on the scale, note the number, move on with your life. What's the plan of checking over and over?

    Sometimes I like to double check if the number is consistent or not, especially since my scales have been acting up lately :) I'd feel better knowing that the weight wasn't a miscalculation somehow.
  • maxit
    maxit Posts: 880 Member
    My scale is wonky like that - I just go for the range - it's never more than 2# different.
  • yellowantphil
    yellowantphil Posts: 787 Member
    I think digital scales sometimes try to calibrate themselves the first time you step on them. I’d go with the second reading, especially if it’s consistent after that.
  • JazzKazz150
    JazzKazz150 Posts: 11 Member
    natalialikescookies wrote: »
    My scale started doing that (3lbs actually) and eventually started giving all random numbers. I replaced it since it was obviously wonky.
    I did compare both my and my son's weight on my old scale to the weight on the scale at the doc's and the lower weight seemed to be more correct.

    Edited for typos

    I may have to replace mine as well, but it was strange that both scales were saying the same thing. I'll Check the scale at my doctors once I make an appointment to see my true weight. Thank you ! :)
  • yellowantphil
    yellowantphil Posts: 787 Member
    From the sticker on the bottom of my scale:
    Step on the scale (disregarding the reading) and step off. This insures the scale is set and ready for use. Do this whenever the scale is moved. At all other times step straight onto the scale.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,246 Member
    Is your floor surface rock hard unyielding?
  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    Replace the Battery.
  • CM_73
    CM_73 Posts: 554 Member
    JazzKazz150 wrote: »
    Hello everyone ! I've been weighing myself every week on my digital scale in my washroom (tiled floors). The problem is, the first time I step up it gives me 178 even after watching what I eat and working out (granted I haven't been working out for an hour since i got a new job in retail, but I've been managing at least 20 to 30 minutes and watching what I eat). Now, the second time I get on my scale, it shows me 4 pounds lighter. Odd. I get off the scale and on again and it shows the same number (174) each time I get on and off. I tried another digital scale and the same numbers show up. First time I step on, it says 178. Second time I step on, 174. I check my weight every Friday after I've gone to the washroom and before I eat breakfast. But my question is, what number do I trust ? 178 or 174? Thanks ! :)

    Is it an Ozeri by any chance?
    Mine does that, but after the first "false" weight it performs faultlessly. I've tested it by standing on and off with bottles of water and everything ties up so I just trust the second number now (although I sometimes go a Third time just to make sure)
  • JazzKazz150
    JazzKazz150 Posts: 11 Member

    CM_73 wrote: »
    JazzKazz150 wrote: »
    Hello everyone ! I've been weighing myself every week on my digital scale in my washroom (tiled floors). The problem is, the first time I step up it gives me 178 even after watching what I eat and working out (granted I haven't been working out for an hour since i got a new job in retail, but I've been managing at least 20 to 30 minutes and watching what I eat). Now, the second time I get on my scale, it shows me 4 pounds lighter. Odd. I get off the scale and on again and it shows the same number (174) each time I get on and off. I tried another digital scale and the same numbers show up. First time I step on, it says 178. Second time I step on, 174. I check my weight every Friday after I've gone to the washroom and before I eat breakfast. But my question is, what number do I trust ? 178 or 174? Thanks ! :)

    Is it an Ozeri by any chance?
    Mine does that, but after the first "false" weight it performs faultlessly. I've tested it by standing on and off with bottles of water and everything ties up so I just trust the second number now (although I sometimes go a Third time just to make sure)

    Unfortunately it's not Ozeri, I think it's a conair scale, something called the thinner? But regardless I should try the water bottle method too! Thanks ! :)
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    Mine does the same thing. Usually, it will error out the first time. Sometimes it will drop to 4.4 lbs and then error out. Since it drops to zero properly and doesn't error out when it starts showing the lower number, I always use the lower number. Also, I've compared mine to an analog scale and the lower number matches what the analog scale shows.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Since the exact same thing happens with different scales, I'm inclined to think it has more to do with the floor it is sitting on. Can you put the scales on a different type of tiling in another room, for comparison?
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    I've noticed that digital scales can be wonky like that. Here's how I get around it: I tap the scale, let it zero out, then just wait for it to turn back off again. Then I tap it again, let it zero, *then* stand on it. This gets me an accurate weight. Even after changing batteries, the first time the scale is turned on it always does something wonky.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    Scales are great for a weight RANGE in my opinion. Just based on this thread alone, you're seeing all the variables : batteries, flooring, calibrations, body fluctuations, etc.

    Make sure your scale is on a flat, unyielding floor. Make sure you know where you're stepping on the scale- if you're haphazard and unbalanced, it will change. Stay centered with your feet. Weigh under the same conditions and know your own body. If I get a whack reading, I'll sometimes do it again just to verify, but in general a pound or two day to day is just normal for me and I shake it off and move on. I generally fluctuate 3 pounds on and off before seeing a loss and that's just normal.
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