Does anyone else have scale issues?
Rachel101511
Posts: 35 Member
I take progress pictures and measure myself but I also check the numbers. My scare will literally tell me like 4 different numbers that are like.. 2lbs apart. With a large range of 6lbs difference. Does anyone else have that problem? I'm getting pretty annoyed. Slightly discouraged too.
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Replies
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When do you take the measurements? Your body weight fluctuates throughout the day so if you measure yourself four times a day of course it will give your different values. Best weight yourself at one point a day - best in in the morning after visiting the bathroom, as your weight will not be influenced by any food or liquid. Keep in mind that the weight will additionally fluctuate based on water retention and what not so don't look at the specific numbers but more on the overall direction your weight is headed at.
Having said that, if your scale gave you those numbers in the period of five minutes like mine apparently does no matter how many times I change the battery, then it's time to invest in a better scale. (got mine for 6 euros so I'm hardly surprised by the quality).2 -
jelly_potato wrote: »When do you take the measurements? Your body weight fluctuates throughout the day so if you measure yourself four times a day of course it will give your different values. Best weight yourself at one point a day - best in in the morning after visiting the bathroom, as your weight will not be influenced by any food or liquid. Keep in mind that the weight will additionally fluctuate based on water retention and what not so don't look at the specific numbers but more on the overall direction your weight is headed at.
Having said that, if your scale gave you those numbers in the period of five minutes like mine apparently does no matter how many times I change the battery, then it's time to invest in a better scale. (got mine for 6 euros so I'm hardly surprised by the quality).
Measure once a month. Weigh myself once a week(ish). I lost 90lbs before, so I totally understand that my weight is going to fluctuate throughout the day. I always seem to find my "happy number" in the morning when I wake up, for the same reasons as you said, so whenever I do weigh myself, it's then. But the number will change a bunch of times within minutes. The scale I got was quite pricey, don't remember how much because it IS older.. but It's done that since day one.0 -
Well if you paid a higher price you would expect greater accuracy. I have access to Class A lab gear and this is right in line with my $20 scale I picked up at Target.
I wouldn't sweat the details so much as long as it is within 1-2 lbs, but if you paid a higher price you may want to consider returning/trading/selling it and getting a better scale.
Just FYI - my weight fluctuates ~5lbs throughout the day.1 -
It honestly may just be a quirk of your scale and you'll have to pick a number and go with it. But there could be some things to consider:
Have you checked the batteries on your scale?
Are you moving your scale from place to place?
Do you store your scale upright?
Is your scale on an even surface (no carpet, not feet missing from it, etc)?
Have you calibrated your scale? Do you know if it needs to be calibrated each time it's moved?
Have you tested your scale with something of a known weight like a dumbbell?
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Read:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10196160/scale-stress-syndrome/p1
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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This sounds like natural weight fluctuation to me. Each time you weigh, step on the scale once and then you're done for that time.
Congrats on your 90 pounds lost!0 -
Well if you paid a higher price you would expect greater accuracy. I have access to Class A lab gear and this is right in line with my $20 scale I picked up at Target.
I wouldn't sweat the details so much as long as it is within 1-2 lbs, but if you paid a higher price you may want to consider returning/trading/selling it and getting a better scale.
Just FYI - my weight fluctuates ~5lbs throughout the day.
It's within 6lbs though roughly... which is why I'm so irritated over it. It's older so I can't return it. And I'm too broke for another one lol0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »It honestly may just be a quirk of your scale and you'll have to pick a number and go with it. But there could be some things to consider:
Have you checked the batteries on your scale?
Are you moving your scale from place to place?
Do you store your scale upright?
Is your scale on an even surface (no carpet, not feet missing from it, etc)?
Have you calibrated your scale? Do you know if it needs to be calibrated each time it's moved?
Have you tested your scale with something of a known weight like a dumbbell?
Scared to "pick a number " cause it varies within like 6lbs. I don't want it to show too low of a number and then for weeks I don't lose weight or something because I chose the wrong number lol. I just replaced the battery last week because it died. The scale is in the same exact spot in my bathroom, leveled flar surface. Calibrating it confuses me just because I have no idea how to? Plus I never move it. And I tested it a long time ago with my ex's weights and it showed different numbers for it multiple times, but currently don't have anything to test it with.0 -
This sounds like natural weight fluctuation to me. Each time you weigh, step on the scale once and then you're done for that time.
Congrats on your 90 pounds lost!
Well it's within minutes. And it's hard to be "done" because I've attempted that before and I'll see one number, weigh myself a week later and I'm or 5lbs heavier than the last. So I have to do it multiple times to maybe get an idea where I'm at. Thanks though! I unfortunately put it back on plus some so I'm pushing on losing it again.0 -
Rachel101511 wrote: »Well if you paid a higher price you would expect greater accuracy. I have access to Class A lab gear and this is right in line with my $20 scale I picked up at Target.
I wouldn't sweat the details so much as long as it is within 1-2 lbs, but if you paid a higher price you may want to consider returning/trading/selling it and getting a better scale.
Just FYI - my weight fluctuates ~5lbs throughout the day.
It's within 6lbs though roughly... which is why I'm so irritated over it. It's older so I can't return it. And I'm too broke for another one lol
Does your scale have batteries that might need to be changed?
There are digital scales for $25 or less. Can you swing that anytime soon?0 -
Read:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10196160/scale-stress-syndrome/p1
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I appreciate that. It's just within minutes.. even seconds that it changes. Nothing to drink or eat. No different anything besides step on, step off. Lol0 -
Rachel101511 wrote: »This sounds like natural weight fluctuation to me. Each time you weigh, step on the scale once and then you're done for that time.
Congrats on your 90 pounds lost!
Well it's within minutes. And it's hard to be "done" because I've attempted that before and I'll see one number, weigh myself a week later and I'm or 5lbs heavier than the last. So I have to do it multiple times to maybe get an idea where I'm at. Thanks though! I unfortunately put it back on plus some so I'm pushing on losing it again.
I've done this before, and every single time the scale will say less or more than the first time I stepped on the scale.
Step on once and you're done.
Unless your weight keeps climbing over time, what you're describing is natural fluctuation.2 -
Rachel101511 wrote: »Well if you paid a higher price you would expect greater accuracy. I have access to Class A lab gear and this is right in line with my $20 scale I picked up at Target.
I wouldn't sweat the details so much as long as it is within 1-2 lbs, but if you paid a higher price you may want to consider returning/trading/selling it and getting a better scale.
Just FYI - my weight fluctuates ~5lbs throughout the day.
It's within 6lbs though roughly... which is why I'm so irritated over it. It's older so I can't return it. And I'm too broke for another one lol
Does your scale have batteries that might need to be changed?
There are digital scales for $25 or less. Can you swing that anytime soon?
Unfortunately no. Would love to but can't do it. Did just change batteries last week.0 -
I have a digital scale by the way.0
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Rachel101511 wrote: »Well if you paid a higher price you would expect greater accuracy. I have access to Class A lab gear and this is right in line with my $20 scale I picked up at Target.
I wouldn't sweat the details so much as long as it is within 1-2 lbs, but if you paid a higher price you may want to consider returning/trading/selling it and getting a better scale.
Just FYI - my weight fluctuates ~5lbs throughout the day.
It's within 6lbs though roughly... which is why I'm so irritated over it. It's older so I can't return it. And I'm too broke for another one lol
Think of it this way - if you are losing weight does it matter what the scale reads as long as it is trending in the right direction? Mechanical things break and if this is older it may well be within its intended use life.
Bottom line is don't stress over it - it's just a number and a tool to help you reach your goals. You may want to add a new goal of picking up a new cheap scale with improved accuracy.0 -
Rachel101511 wrote: »This sounds like natural weight fluctuation to me. Each time you weigh, step on the scale once and then you're done for that time.
Congrats on your 90 pounds lost!
Well it's within minutes. And it's hard to be "done" because I've attempted that before and I'll see one number, weigh myself a week later and I'm or 5lbs heavier than the last. So I have to do it multiple times to maybe get an idea where I'm at. Thanks though! I unfortunately put it back on plus some so I'm pushing on losing it again.
I've done this before, and every single time the scale will say less or more than the first time I stepped on the scale.
Step on once and you're done.
Unless your weight keeps climbing over time, what you're describing is natural fluctuation.
This. Some scales will not give an accurate reading until several minutes have passed since the last reading.
There is no reason for you to step on the scale multiple times. Your best shot at an accurate reading is the first one.0 -
My scale does the same... I just average the high and low and stick with that number.
I am looking to buy a new one, not sure which one yet0 -
Just asking but is your scale on a flat/hard surface? We had one on carpet that would fluctuate a lot. It was the flatter commercial-grade carpet but it still messed with the scale. Most people don't have carpet in their bathrooms and keep their scales there so it's usually not an issue. I step on my scale 3 times each morning. The reading is dead-on the same every time within a few seconds apart. It's a cheap-o digital scale, cost $29.99 I think. Anyway, if the vinyl or flooring in your bathroom (or wherever you have your scale) is softer or gives any at all with the scale it'll make each reading different. Just a thought.0
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Rachel101511 wrote: »Well if you paid a higher price you would expect greater accuracy. I have access to Class A lab gear and this is right in line with my $20 scale I picked up at Target.
I wouldn't sweat the details so much as long as it is within 1-2 lbs, but if you paid a higher price you may want to consider returning/trading/selling it and getting a better scale.
Just FYI - my weight fluctuates ~5lbs throughout the day.
It's within 6lbs though roughly... which is why I'm so irritated over it. It's older so I can't return it. And I'm too broke for another one lol
Think of it this way - if you are losing weight does it matter what the scale reads as long as it is trending in the right direction? Mechanical things break and if this is older it may well be within its intended use life.
Bottom line is don't stress over it - it's just a number and a tool to help you reach your goals. You may want to add a new goal of picking up a new cheap scale with improved accuracy.
wish I could just not stress over it. I'm currently teaching myself a healthier version of what I used to be. I know as long as I'm losing weight it's good, but the numbers help a lot. Especially where I'm at currently. I bought it like this, and the reason I replaced my old one is because it did that too. So I guess now is to see how much an accurate one is and save for it..0 -
SusanMFindlay wrote: »Rachel101511 wrote: »This sounds like natural weight fluctuation to me. Each time you weigh, step on the scale once and then you're done for that time.
Congrats on your 90 pounds lost!
Well it's within minutes. And it's hard to be "done" because I've attempted that before and I'll see one number, weigh myself a week later and I'm or 5lbs heavier than the last. So I have to do it multiple times to maybe get an idea where I'm at. Thanks though! I unfortunately put it back on plus some so I'm pushing on losing it again.
I've done this before, and every single time the scale will say less or more than the first time I stepped on the scale.
Step on once and you're done.
Unless your weight keeps climbing over time, what you're describing is natural fluctuation.
This. Some scales will not give an accurate reading until several minutes have passed since the last reading.
There is no reason for you to step on the scale multiple times. Your best shot at an accurate reading is the first one.
the only reason I even noticed it was because my last scale did it all the time, and I used to be heavy into weighing myself in the past.. like daily. So I'd notice everything. I bought this new scale and it did the same thing. I since have gotten better at not weighing myself so much but also know the scale is floppy like this. And due to the first number typically being very much smaller than the second, it just bothers me. A scale is a scale... it should know a weight... lol that's all.0 -
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Spliner1969 wrote: »Just asking but is your scale on a flat/hard surface? We had one on carpet that would fluctuate a lot. It was the flatter commercial-grade carpet but it still messed with the scale. Most people don't have carpet in their bathrooms and keep their scales there so it's usually not an issue. I step on my scale 3 times each morning. The reading is dead-on the same every time within a few seconds apart. It's a cheap-o digital scale, cost $29.99 I think. Anyway, if the vinyl or flooring in your bathroom (or wherever you have your scale) is softer or gives any at all with the scale it'll make each reading different. Just a thought.
Nope it's a hard flat surface in my bathroom. Back a lonnnng time ago I used to have one on carpet but I learned that was a big NO, and not to do that. But appreciate the advice.1 -
Rachel101511 wrote: »Nope it's a hard flat surface in my bathroom. Back a lonnnng time ago I used to have one on carpet but I learned that was a big NO, and not to do that. But appreciate the advice.
Honestly sounds like a crappy scale then. Sometimes more expensive doesn't = better. Too bad it's too old to return, how old is it? It might have a warranty.0 -
Spliner1969 wrote: »Rachel101511 wrote: »Nope it's a hard flat surface in my bathroom. Back a lonnnng time ago I used to have one on carpet but I learned that was a big NO, and not to do that. But appreciate the advice.
Honestly sounds like a crappy scale then. Sometimes more expensive doesn't = better. Too bad it's too old to return, how old is it? It might have a warranty.
I wish I could remember... probably 4 or 5 years? And that's my problem, I never know what to get. Sometimes cheap is good, but sometimes it's not. I just took a shot and failed again. Reviews online of scales are always a pain and they always vary so it's like you need luck to find a good one.
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Rachel101511 wrote: »A scale is a scale... it should know a weight... lol that's all.
A scale needs to recalibrate after use. Some take longer than others, but that doesn't make the initial reading any less accurate. It just means you shouldn't try for a re-weigh right away.
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weigh once a week. ignore the scale the rest of the time.
its the overall trend you want, not one moment in time 2 minutes apart ...
FWIW my daily weight fluctuates up to 7 pounds. relax.0
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