Scale number stuck!!!

I started back counting calories in December of last year. The lbs were dropping steadily for a while and I lost 7 lbs. But now it has not moved in almost 2 freakin months!! Every time I weigh in it's the same number. It's extremely frustrating! I have been doing everything right. I exercise and have never gone over my calories for the day. I thought maybe something was wrong with my scale but it's not. What am I doing wrong???? Help!!

Replies

  • Maxematics
    Maxematics Posts: 2,287 Member
    Do you use a food scale? If not, you're eating more than you think.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    edited June 2017
    My scale does that too. It never moves. I know that's not realistic, and in fact I had a doctor's appointment and their scales were six pounds different. I don't know the answer - I moved it to a different spot and that seems to have changed it a little, but I just don't trust it. :lol:
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    Maxematics wrote: »
    Do you use a food scale? If not, you're eating more than you think.

    No I don't have a food scale
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    2 months is a long time for them not to move. Its more than likely you are eating at maintenance calories, tighten your logging, use a food scale to keep an eye on your portions and it will move again.

    However my scales often need re-calibrated, every few days in fact. I know when they read the same over and over when they should be fluctuating up and down which is more normal. So perhaps you should try that first to see they are weighing OK. Step on them holding dumb bells e.g and then step back on without to see if that makes any difference.
  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
    Maxematics wrote: »
    Do you use a food scale? If not, you're eating more than you think.

    No I don't have a food scale

    there is your problem - buy one and weigh everything you eat.
  • FreyasRebirth
    FreyasRebirth Posts: 514 Member
    If you're getting the same exact number, there is probably an issue with your scale. It is probably accurate enough but not precise or it is pulling the number out of memory because your weight hasn't changed enough. You still need a food scale though.

    Packaged food must be at least 99% of what the label says, meaning if a bagel should be 250 grams, nearly all of them are going to be bigger. It is an old government regulation to prevent companies from shortchanging consumers. You could easily be eating far more than you think you are.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    If the scale shows the exact same weight (such as 156.7) each time you step on it, for 2 months, then something IS wrong with the scale. The body weight fluctuates. Replace batteries, get a new scale.

    If you mean its been stuck in the same general area, see the chart above. Improve your logging accuracy & consistency. Eat at a deficit. Lose weight.
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    If the scale shows the exact same weight (such as 156.7) each time you step on it, for 2 months, then something IS wrong with the scale. The body weight fluctuates. Replace batteries, get a new scale.

    If you mean its been stuck in the same general area, see the chart above. Improve your logging accuracy & consistency. Eat at a deficit. Lose weight.

    No I'm not saying it's spot on the same exact number everyday. It fluctuates between 1 to 2 lbs. But it doesn't go any lower than 158 and it's been like that for months....
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    You're eating at maintenance. Drop 100 a day.
  • dpotter7
    dpotter7 Posts: 7 Member
    Candace, I'm in the same boat right now. I just found a free workout plan on bodybuilding.com and figured I would push myself harder and change up my exercise routine and eating in hopes it will jumpstart a change. Have you taken measurements to see if you've lost any inches? You may be losing mass just not weight, if that makes sense. Hope you can kick-start out of your plateau soon. If you find something that works, let me know.
  • Rusty740
    Rusty740 Posts: 749 Member
    Here's a neat fact. If the scale has not changed in two months, you've been eating at maintenance whether you believe it or not.

    All of us do not estimate our calories in/vs out exactly.

    Lower your calorie goal 100 or so and meet it. See you in two weeks. Weigh daily.
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    dpotter7 wrote: »
    Candace, I'm in the same boat right now. I just found a free workout plan on bodybuilding.com and figured I would push myself harder and change up my exercise routine and eating in hopes it will jumpstart a change. Have you taken measurements to see if you've lost any inches? You may be losing mass just not weight, if that makes sense. Hope you can kick-start out of your plateau soon. If you find something that works, let me know.

    I haven't measured myself since losing but everyone has been telling me they have noticed a difference and that I've trimmed down. Thanks so much for the encouragement! I also hope I find something too :)
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    You're eating at maintenance. Drop 100 a day.

    What does that mean? Eating at maintenance?
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    Rusty740 wrote: »
    Here's a neat fact. If the scale has not changed in two months, you've been eating at maintenance whether you believe it or not.

    All of us do not estimate our calories in/vs out exactly.

    Lower your calorie goal 100 or so and meet it. See you in two weeks. Weigh daily.

    Hahaha thankyou! But what does maintenance mean exactly?
  • Poisonedpawn78
    Poisonedpawn78 Posts: 1,145 Member
    You're eating at maintenance. Drop 100 a day.

    What does that mean? Eating at maintenance?

    The amount of calories needed to maintain your current weight/activity level. It is VERY helpful to know this number as you can subtract from it to control your weight loss.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Maintenance is the amount of calories you need to maintain the weight you currently are.
    So all you need to do now is drop a little further and you'll start to lose again.
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    Maintenance is the amount of calories you need to maintain the weight you currently are.
    So all you need to do now is drop a little further and you'll start to lose again.

    Right now my daily calories are 1500. Im trying to get to 140 lbs. So should i drop it to 1400 a day?
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Maintenance is the amount of calories you need to maintain the weight you currently are.
    So all you need to do now is drop a little further and you'll start to lose again.

    Right now my daily calories are 1500. Im trying to get to 140 lbs. So should i drop it to 1400 a day?

    Yes. To get you losing again.
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    Maintenance is the amount of calories you need to maintain the weight you currently are.
    So all you need to do now is drop a little further and you'll start to lose again.

    Right now my daily calories are 1500. Im trying to get to 140 lbs. So should i drop it to 1400 a day?

    Yes. To get you losing again.

    Ok. I'm gonna try that today. Thanks for your help !!
  • cherilee0831
    cherilee0831 Posts: 44 Member
    Drink lots of water!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    @candacebattle2012 I posted yesterday that my scale was doing the same thing. I changed the battery and it changed!


    ...not in my favor, :cry:
  • candacebattle2012
    candacebattle2012 Posts: 61 Member
    @candacebattle2012 I posted yesterday that my scale was doing the same thing. I changed the battery and it changed!


    ...not in my favor, :cry:
    Oh no! Sry to hear that. Maybe I should try what you did lol