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Using a tape measure instead of a scale

reality7001
reality7001 Posts: 30 Member
edited November 2024 in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Hi. I've practically given up on finding an accurate scale for my crappy apartment. The floors are not even anywhere and I haven't come across any solid scale recommendations as everyone seems to be having issues with accuracy in one way or another.

So, I've decided to use a tape measure for taking. I wish MFP had this sort of tracking option available.

Does anyone know what one inch loss is equal to in wieght? Also, what areas should I be measuring and how often?

Replies

  • DoubleUbea
    DoubleUbea Posts: 1,115 Member
    You can track other measurements in MFP such as waist, chest size and you can add your own measurements. There isn't a calculation for inches/centimeters to pounds/kilograms.

    https://www.myfitnesspal.com/measurements/check_in
    on the app tap the weight on the top for other measurements options.
  • Great_Mazinga
    Great_Mazinga Posts: 214 Member
    MFP does allow you to record your measurements. You can enter it in the same screen you update your weight. In many ways, this a good way to measure. Often, people get frustrated by not seeing the scale move, but sometimes body re-composition can be tricky and you've actually dropped inches instead.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    As for you question about weight per inch, there's no way to know. Everyone is different. Height will be a variable. Because I'm short, 20 lbs from me is going to look different than 20 lbs from a tall person because they have a larger surface area. So tgeir inches lost will be smaller. I can also be effected by location of measurements. You might lose more from one spot than another.

    Could you just get a small board, 2 feet square, to place under the scale to stabilize it?
  • reality7001
    reality7001 Posts: 30 Member
    DoubleUbea wrote: »
    You can track other measurements in MFP such as waist, chest size and you can add your own measurements. There isn't a calculation for inches/centimeters to pounds/kilograms.

    https://www.myfitnesspal.com/measurements/check_in
    on the app tap the weight on the top for other measurements options.

    Cool I found it in the app. I was tapping wieght symbol and it wasn't changing - but then found the correct wieght/ measurement check in under progress in the app! Thanks
  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    Ratio changes are helpful to determine progress as well; hips:waist:chest:shoulders:neck
  • 4Pop
    4Pop Posts: 53 Member
    OP- I see your question is answered, but I just wanted to share something I'd just learned.

    I've had a cheap SprawlMart scale for about 3 months, and it seems as time passes, it becomes more inaccurate. I was stepping on/off 6 times to get 2-3 consistent readings. Now I can step on/off a dozen times and no 2 readings are the same, with a 10 pound variance.

    The past 2 mornings, I've stepped onto the scale "backwards", with the readout between my heels, and get identical readings. Maybe I have an odd scale (other than being cheap), but you might give it a try.

    Regarding your floor, go to a home improvement center and buy a small piece of cut 3/4" plywood to set your scale on.

    Before someone chimes-in to say how unimportant scales are, I simply use it as one way to determine my weight is going the direction I'm wanting it to.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Measurements are not always absolute either. My waist can vary an inch from day to day based on bloating or water weight.
  • reality7001
    reality7001 Posts: 30 Member
    Thanks everyone for your thoughts and helping me figure out how to log my measurements. I returned the scale I bought online and weighed myself on an accurate beam scale. Then I went to bed bath and beyond and found one that was very accurate and only $20. Name brand is called Thinner and it weighs the same on my floors :)
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