How often should I weigh in?

[Tizmelanie]

How often should I weigh in?

[Fit4Ever0112]

This is my own personal truth, scales are very discouraging. I love feeling thin than seeing less. I mean if the scales says I have lost 10 pounds yaayyy. However, when it doesn't, I feel discouraged. Change happens over time and for me it takes more then a week of consistency to get to my goal. So, I push my scale aside until I keep moving down a pant size. Every new size I can get into is a scale day. 

[techman001]

denlo said :

When I get on the scale it says one thing.  I get off and get back on it says something different.  I walk around and it says something completely different.  I do not understand because when you get on the scale and haven't eaten anything and it is a matter of few minutes the weight should be the same.  I guess I should just take the first reading but why it changes is a mystery to me.

I'm a electronics tectechnician, who has in the past, worked repairing and calibrating scales. I also have a Fitbit Aria, and a industrial scale (for my business). I weigh myself every day on both. I do this because last September I weighed 126 kg when I should be 79kg.

Today I'm 110 kg, so I have lost 16kg so far.

I believe your weight variation, providing you haven't exercised, eaten, drunk any liquid or had much time pass, between measurements is either :-

1) Inaccurate scales. These are *very* common. Test the reading with a container filled with water, does it weigh what it should, does it read the same when you do that repeatedly ?

2) Scales not sitting properly, ie on carpet, uneven floor etc

I guarantee that I can step on and off my industrial scales as often as I like and they will *always* read the same (within the error margin of the scales and with the same proviso above).

The Fitbit Aria scales, are another matter, they are not very accurate or repeatable compared to my industrial scales, but I think they are 'good enough' for weight loss. After all, as long as you weigh at least once every week, and the end result is less weight, then its all good.

The Aria scales are easy to use, far more convenient than writing down the readout of my industrial scales and then graphing it.

If you just have cheap and nasty scales with wildly varying readings, minutes apart, I suggest that you ditch them and get something better.

Cheers

Terry

[goal-gal]

The only time I step on the scale more than once is if it gives me a really strange number, like yesterday when it said I had lost 5 lbs in 24 hours. As much as I'd have liked for it to be correct, I knew it wasn't.

[RJWhitney]

There is a lot of great information in here.  I was just curious why kind of scale some of you use?  I of course have a scale, very basic but electronic and I get a different reading everytime.  Actually we all laugh in my house because you can step on it once then step off wait 2 seconds and step back on it and BAMMMM 6 pound difference but you never know if it will be higher or lower.  LOL.  I have heard that it is because I am using it on a second floor, true? Not sure. So it could just be that I need a much nicer scale.

Thanks for letting me ramble a bit.  LOL

[JustJill]

I use Aria™ Wi-Fi Smart Scale it is wonderful! It wirelessly uploads my weight to my dashboard and is accurate. I can't say enough about it! 

• Scale measures weight, BMI and % body fat.
• Uses Wi-Fi to upload stats automatically to Fitbit.com.
• Set weight goals and chart your progress with free online graphs and tools.
• Scale recognizes up to 8 users.

[edspillane]

I wondered about the scale.  I think I will get one once we need a new scale...seems to be a great add on to the whole fitbit tools.

[RJWhitney]

Ok, So I took the plunge and bought the Aria Scale.... it is pretty awsome.....  I am really starting to like this journey.....  1 week down and on to the next, it will be great.  Thank you to all who talked to me about what scale to go with....

[edspillane]

I definitely need to get one once my current one breaks down.  lol

[jon4097]

I weigh everyday. 

[kpsmove]

I weigh twice a day once in the morning to see what my natural weight is and before bed to see how different meals and eating times affect me and my sleep pattern I have found that my evenning weight is the precurssor to my weight trending either up or down.

[nyborn2014]

I have weighed in twice a day at times, but only when I feel I have eaten a bit too much. It allows me
to get upset with myself and work harder the next day! I have gotten to the point where I can predict
my weight and I've been fairly accurate.?

[Road-runner]

I weigh once a week; more often and I let the scale dictate my moods.  Weight control is so hard for me. 

I had over 80 lbs to lose, now I have 60 to lose. I have struggled with food issues all my life.  I just started  a group called "Eating Disorders/Food Addictions" for those who struggle with controlling their eating.  If you feel you might have a problem in this area, come check us out:

https://www.fitbit.com/group/22235N

[nyborn2014]

Road-Runner. Good luck with the weight loss effort. I'm sure you'll do fine. Be patient though. I lost twenty pounds over a 6 month period, and that was all I wanted to lose. I feel great and my clothes fit so much better. I walk every morning (3+ miles) and will start a strengthening program soon. As I lost the weight, my arms got lose and I now look like a guy who simply lost 20 pounds. I will keep at it. You do the same. You are well on your way.

[Jabrat]

Weigh in once a week - I think people look at the number too much and get frustrated and quit better to do once a week same day same time exactly - I think you have to want it bad and obviously u do - u bought a Fitbit - keep your eye on the prize - your good health - nothing like it

[nyborn2014]

Jabrat.

Good advice. I do ten to be influenced by the numbers. Problem is, the scale is in my den bathroom, and since I work from home, it begs me to step on it!! 🙂 I'll try to break the habit. Your comment about keeping my eay on the prize is well stated. Thanks.

[Algenon]

I weigh myself twice a week.  I agree it is a personal perference but you need to look at how you clothes fit as well.  I only eat about 800 calories a day, exercise a lot ( I meet all of my goals) but I only lose a pound or two a week on average. However I have gone from a size 20 to a size 14.   

[PB_Addict]

I weigh every day, after breakfast, before showering (don't want the water in my hair to weigh me down!). It keeps me focused.

[Road-runner]

Why does the scale show different values each time I step on it?

[lgu230]

Good question Road Runner cause it does the same to me.  Sometimes I wonder of this Aria scale is as good as they say it is.  I have been losing weight; however, my BMI continues at 32% and it says I am obsese which I know I am not.  My fat % is 25.8 and it used to be 35% but sometimes I wonder if this is really accurate.

I don't know and all I care is about my weight and losing more weight.  I still have 25 pounds to go.

Thanks, and take care!

Leo

[jmkoon]

I try to only weigh once a week.  The minor fluctuations day tp day (especially for women) would make me crazy otherwise.