Scales vs tape measure

KateL1969
KateL1969 Posts: 98 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
What is most important to you, what the scales say or what the tape measure says? Kate

Replies

  • hpsaucette
    hpsaucette Posts: 102 Member
    Equal. The tape measure will be what matters in the end and I know the problems associated with scales but having shied away from scales my entire life I'm getting pretty fascinated with it as a new toy
  • Hezzietiger1
    Hezzietiger1 Posts: 1,256 Member
    Yeh both. I love watching inches roll off and the way my body has transformed. But, the scale doesn't lie as much as people claim that it does. Either the weight is coming off or it's not. I'm a fan of both. Through in some body fat calipers as a measurement tool for me as well.
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    I enjoy trying on smaller clothes and have them either fit or at least almost fit. So the tape measure is important but I would love to see that scale reflect that size difference.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Neither. Photos and how clothes fit work best for me.

    The scale is fickle, and the tape measure (at least for me) is imprecise. If I measure my waist a little higher or lower, it's going to make a big difference. Likewise, I might pull the tape just a little bit harder. And I just can't get excited over losing 1/8 of an inch.

    Plus, sometimes I've lost in places that don't typically get measured... I might check my waist and hips, but the area between the two might have changed. And not even changed in a measurable way... even if I used a tape, my stomach got flatter and my bum got higher and rounder, so the measurement itself might not have changed at all.
  • annahiven
    annahiven Posts: 177 Member
    Tape measure. It's the only way I can tell I am changing these days as I am at my goal weight.
  • tajmel
    tajmel Posts: 401 Member
    They're both just tools. The scale is more precise but more factors cause it to be an inaccurate gauge of fat loss; it also enables you to see and appreciate small losses. The tape measure is less precise (due to differences in where and how tightly you measure), but few factors cause it to inaccurate; also, you have to lose a decent bit of fat to lose a full inch.

    In the long term, you're going to see large changes in both that will make the little fluctuations seem insignificant, but in the short term I personally think it's more motivating to judge yourself on your consistency. I know that if I keep tracking my calories, balancing my macros, and working out, I will lose weight and inches, even if both the scale and measuring tape refuse to budge this day or week.
  • wookiemouse
    wookiemouse Posts: 290 Member
    Neither. Photos and how clothes fit work best for me.

    The scale is fickle, and the tape measure (at least for me) is imprecise. If I measure my waist a little higher or lower, it's going to make a big difference. Likewise, I might pull the tape just a little bit harder. And I just can't get excited over losing 1/8 of an inch.

    ^^^^ This.

    Especially if you do a lot of strength training. My scale usually doesn't budge much, if at all, but I know I'm transforming my body, since I'm losing clothing sizes. Heck, sometimes I'll "gain" 5 lbs overnight from DOMS! And often my measurements will go up as well - I know my biceps have gained 1/2" since January, so why bother? As long as I feel good and feel that I look good, I don't care what the numbers say.
  • Reneefit135
    Reneefit135 Posts: 170
    Def tape measure, to me its about fat loss and the tape measure shows that better than the scale
  • ibanez450
    ibanez450 Posts: 17 Member
    Tape measure. It's the only way I can tell I am changing these days as I am at my goal weight.

    Exactly the same for me... I'm comfortable with my weight and have been maintaining it, so the tape measure is the best way to know that I am still improving.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Neither one is the MOST important! Although my ultimate goal is to lose weight, I am strength training, and since muscle tends to take up less space than fat, I am not seeing the loss on the scale.

    Just for giggles and grins, I compared my current measurements to my measurements 8 years ago.

    29.....................................37

    weight 174......................207

    size tight 14....................tight 14

    chest 38.......................42

    waist 37.......................40

    hips 42.........................42.5

    thigh 24......................23.5

    I am 33 pounds heavier but have VERY similar measurements. By the time I get to the 174#, I might be in a size 10....
  • KateL1969
    KateL1969 Posts: 98 Member
    Body fat calipers?! Must Google....
  • laus_8882
    laus_8882 Posts: 217 Member
    Tape measure and fit of clothes. If my fat jeans were loose but the scale said I'd gained a kg I'd madly try and starve away that evil kilo and set myself up for a massive binge. If my fat jeans are loose and I have no idea what I weigh... I celebrate by getting myself a new book or plotting my next piece of jewellery. It seems that one outcome is far better than the other!
  • KateL1969
    KateL1969 Posts: 98 Member
    Ordered body fat callipers of of Amazon as they are pretty cheap and will be a useful tool to monitor my fat loss. Thanks guys!
  • MelisRunning
    MelisRunning Posts: 819 Member
    Tape measure! You can wiggle around on the scales until you get a more favorable reading. Tape measures do not lie!
  • TheAncientMariner
    TheAncientMariner Posts: 444 Member
    I agree with how you look and how you fee. Both the scales and the tape measures have lied to me. I don't understand the phenomenon, but it's out there for us unlucky few.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Tape measure! You can wiggle around on the scales until you get a more favorable reading. Tape measures do not lie!

    I don't know about that.... If I really want to kid myself, I can pull the tape measure tight enough to have a 23 inch waist! :laugh:

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