i have a scale at home (155lbs) and the scale at the gym (150lbs). they differ about 5 lbs...so i figure i'd try to use another scale at the gym i'm visiting to break the tie....BUT to my hOrroR!!!! i'm 158 lbs....what the heck!!! so what should i believe...should i buy a brand new scale??? what do you guys think? I weighed myself all in the same week.

My personal opinion...just make sure you go by one consistently. I'd personally go by the one at your house because it's in the middle of the other two. I wouldn't go buy another scale because then if the numbers differ there, which one do you believe? Just as long as you have a consistent measurement, it shouldn't matter too much. But that's just my opinion.

Hi Ms. Smiley,
I have found that the time of day also influences the scale weight, so if you are weighing yourself at home at a different time of day than you do at the gym that might account for it. I weigh up to 5 lbs more in the evening than I do when I first wake up in the morning, even on the same scale, and then 5 lbs less again the next morning (water loss via snoring? I have no idea). Also-- are you weighing yourself naked every time? different clothes/shoes weigh more or less. And I've found if I'm drinking lots of water during my workout I weigh MORE than usual right after a workout (can be a good sign in terms of maintaining hydration- but still, who wants to see that???). I think normal day-to-day fluctuations are a good reason to weigh yourself only once a week, at the same time of day. The most accurate scales are the "balance" type like they usually use at the doctor -- only make sure it is "zeroed" before stepping on! I agree with above post -- just stick to one scale -- it's only your progress that matters... and of course the old saying goes: "the way one looks and feels and fits in one's pants matters more than a number".

-Joot

thanks for ur help...i will take both your advices....if it was the 'balance' type of scale then i'm 8lbs heavier
BUT i'll go by my home scale that i weigh myself every monday morning....i think i should be safe...that's still 5 lbs heavier than i thought but oh well....i'm starting to look pretty good naked hehehehe
no if i can only look good with out sucking it all in...hehehehe
thanks again!

Ok, so you'd think Digital w/o a doubt, right? So would I. But many times I have stepped on the scale once for it to say I gained 3 pds or so, and then stepped off, stepped on again and its right. Today, I stepped on the scales and it said 184 (3 pds off) and I"m like, well, thats weird. So I take a shower, get dressed, I'm talking everything but shoes, and weigh myself again....still it reads 184 (w/clothes and wet hair) Doesn't make scense. Its a new digital...not even a yr old yet.

I'm wondering now if the "standard" scales are more accurate???

I've noticed that myself. I get on the scale and I'm like No way! I step off step back on and it's 3 or 4 pounds different. I've had it show 4 different weights all at once. I thought it was because my floor wasn't level. Standard scales have to be balanced but at least they can be. If a digital one is off, it's just trash! Hmmm, it's a hard choice. I've asked for a new one for Christmas and I'm hoping for the one with memory.

Greatest investment about 10 - 15 years ago a doctors scale.


Chip

That would be fantastic! Wish it was in my Christmas budget!! We are on the most restricted budget ever. Only $40 for each other and $20 for everyone else!

hey all,

I have a scale that I seem to have to calibrate very regularly. Not sure what the deal is. It is not digital..it is like a typical dr. scale.
I'm thinking of getting a new one but I dont want to break the bank and I want to (obviously) make sure I get one that is reliable, soooo, wondering for suggestions...

also, i think i want one that measures body fat % too..

any help greatly appreciated,
S

I just got this one ( from walmart of all places) that records not only weight but also 'water weight' and your body fat percetage - which it figures out by sending a tiny electric current through you (don't worry, you don't even feel it ). It's amazingly accurate, and I just love. It took a little bit to figure out but once you do, you're able to program other people in t here, and find the what was stated up there..I forget what it was called but it's a white digital scale with silver raised stripes going horizontally acrossed it and it came in a blue box.

thanks tigny.

anybody else???

I use the Healthometer from walmarts but all it does is keep track of your weight and tell you how many lbs and ounces you lose or gain ater each weigh in It was 19.95 But I would like to know how much the scale Tigny has.

I have an old Tanita scale (got it 4 yrs ago, at about $40 I think) which shows both lbs (in half lbs) and b.f.% by the electrical current method. I heard that the "absolute" value of actual fat % measurement may not be totally accurate, but the change if fat % will be accurate, and I'm more interested in the "change" measurement then the actual number. I just saw a bunch of scales, including those that measure water % (that would be interesting) in Bed, Bath & Beyond. I would not know if my scale is lying to me, and whether I need to calibrate it or not, but it seemed pretty steady and I think I had to change batteries there only once.
When buying stuff like this I tend to go for more established companies with good rep, features I want and good warranty, so I could use it if I had to.

Good luck!

the scale I got was only about $30

just figured out the brand of my scale - it's Taylor