scales

[Jillo]

I have been through 3 scales and can't seem to find one that is any good. I'm a little OCD so when I weight myself and it says I lost a pound I find myself getting off and back on to double check it's right. I find 9 times out of 10 the scale changes by 1-2 pounds every time I step on and back off. What's the deal? This morning I got on and it said 163.4 which I knew had to be wrong since yesterday I was 167.4. I got back off and back on and it said 169...again 168.4. Keep in mind that I have been 500-800 fewver calories than what I burned. Someone suggested Omron in another discussion....has anyone done that with their scale? Get off and back on at least twice to see if it reads the same? I'm looking for a new one if anyone has a suggestion please let me know. 

[CarolS]

I have a Taylor electronic scale that I bought at Costco.  It takes a lithium battery and weighs in .5 pound increments.  I love it!  I didn't want a scale that weighed in .2 increments as that would drive me nuts.  This measures weight only, not fat, lean mass, etc.  Very rarely will I get a wonky reading.

[Jillo]

thanks for t he information...I can't help but wonder how many people actually test their scale to see if it reads the same thing getting on and off and back on? I will check them out thanks

[danitza617]

@Jillo my scale does the same! it drives me nuts! i thought it could be that the floor is not leveled....what kind do you have?

[slysam]

Is your scale on a firm surface/floor? Varying weights can happen if the scale is on carpet, uneven flooring, etc. Maybe try putting it in a different place. Also maybe try weighing something with a known weight like a 10 pound weight or something and see if it reports the correct weight. My sale is pretty consistent and I've had it for years, but in a previous apartment it use to be more variable until I tried placing it in different places in my bathroom and found a more solid place. (the previous apartment was in an upper floor of an old building and the floors were uneven). 

[Jillo]

I'm not sure of the name of scale but its in my bathroom on the floor. I suppose it could be there part of the floor is weak? I can try to move it..that make the most logical sense since it has happened with other scales. Thanks....I will try that. 

[josephz2va]

One thing to keep in mind is scales vary based on where it's placed, how you stand on it, how much time you gave yourself from getting out of bed to walking to the scale, and by the manufacturer.

I've weighed myself 3 times once and it does vary. One point it said 176 at 17%, then another would say 177 at 19%, and another would say 176 at 18.5%.

Then when you go to a nutritionist and weigh on their scale, it will say 180 and a fat mass reader using handgrips would say my fat mass is 21%.

Again, it varies.

[Jillo]

what do you mean how much time you gave yourself from getting up and going to the scale? I go right to the bathroom from my bed...lol...

[MKT105]

Here is some info on what you are seeing on your digital scale.  There are three things to consider:

1. Accuracy - most digital scales will be better than +/- 2%  That is 2 lbs. in every hundered.

2. Repeatability - Regardless of accuracy, you want the scale to read the same weight each time you step on      the scale during a measurement session.  The scale should be on a hard surface, If you must measure          on a soft surface, put a large floor tile under the scale.

3.  Resolution - how many bits does the scale cut the pound into.  what ever you read, the actual measurement will always be +/- the last digit.  Thus 180.2  is either 180.0 or 180.2 or 180.4.

Finally remember what goes in weights somehting so weigh yourself after you have eliminated last nights dinner. 

[Algenon]

My mother-in-law has always said scales are devices of the devil so she refuses to have one in her house.  That being said, you should check the battery.  Sometimes  a poor battery can give you mix results.