Bathroom scale readings

[Mish19]

Anyone else have a temperamental bathroom scale? I have a digital/regular scale that if you move it to a different spot it will record different weights and it is usually atleast 3 lbs lighter than the WW scale! So, I really can't get an honest reading if I decide to do a sneak weigh in. Maybe it needs a fresh battery? But why the different readings when it gets moved?

 

[KathyFP]

I am considering buying a new scale. Any ideas on what is most reliable but also reasonable?

 

[elisebutt]

Are your scales on a hard level surface or carpet?? The surface you put them on needs to be really level and it makes you weigh less if you put them on carpet.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I am going out to buy a carpet!! LOL!!!

I also need a new scale..........a reliable scale!! Up for suggestions!

 

[Luvinit]

As long as you weigh yourself in the same spot...with the same birthday suit on..(hehe)...at the same time of day..it shouldn't matter.

I know what you mean about scales though..mine is next to a half wall in the bathroom and I used to press my index finger on the scale ever so slightly...just to show less weight..I know I am a freak..but sometimes I couldn't handle the real reading...BUT now I am ready to face my demons and shoo them away!!

 

[bicker]

I had great success tracking my progress by watching my body fat percentage decrease using a Tanita scale.

 

[SnackyStacky]

A few things to keep in mind:

1.) Quality costs. The $29.99 Target special won't give you accurate readings. The scales at Weight Watchers cost about $1000 each. The more you pay, chances are, the better the quality, and therefore, the more accurate your results.

2.) Keeping your bathroom scale in a bathroom usually isn't the best place for it. Especially if you keep it in a full bath. (As opposed to a half one....neither one is good, but especially not a full) The moisture from shower steam can get inside of the scale and damage it. The bedroom is probably the best place to store it.

3.) Lots have said it....the scale has to be on a completely level surface, with no carpeting. The carpeting absorbs some of your body weight, and therefore gives lighter readings. (If accuracy is what you're after, keep it off the rug, but I'm so vain that I think I'll keep mine ON a rug!!! )

If you're using a bathroom scale as your tool to weigh-in, splurge and buy one of those really expensive ones. If you weigh in at a doctor's office, or a WW meeting, don't spend tons of money. Just use the cheapy ones to let you know if you're in the range you want to be. Give yourself leeway of about 4 pounds either lighter or heavier.

 

[AWilliams]

I love my scale. I bought it at Linens and Things back in January when I started.

MSI Glass Lithium Sensor Scale
Tempered glass scale features a sleek, modern design. Enjoy a lifetime of accurate readings on the easy to read 1” LCD display.

Features:
Four strain-gauge sensor discs contain no moving parts
Built-in lifetime lithium battery
Holds up to 330 pounds
10-year warranty

Size: 10¾"W x 12"L x 1¾"H

Price: $49.99

 

[KathyFP]

Tanita scale?? What is this?

 

[bicker]

http://www.tanita.com/consumer/products/bf/duo.html

 

[lmhall2000]

I use two scales!! My old-fashioned scale weighs me the same as the doctor's scale and the one at the YMCA. My digital scale weighs me 4 pounds higher- I have them both on tile floors. It's hard to make out those little lines on the old scale sometimes so I jump on it- get an idea of what I weigh- then weigh on the digital scale and subract 4 pounds- it always confirms my weight! I like the digital scale because it weighs in 1/2 pounds but I'm not willing to accept the weight of 4 pounds more than my doctor's scales. Maybe when I lose my first 40 I'll just bite the bullet and stick with the digital- I would just rely on the Y scale but I can't strip down there- every article of clothing helps!

Good luck on your scale search!
Tara

 

[Mish19]

Thanks for the suggestions. I got my scale at Costco for about $50, it's a Healthometer Professional. I keep it in my bathroom, right next to the bathtub (OOOPS!!) I hope I can still save it!

 

[froglady]

Also remember that your weight (or at least MY weight) can vary by as much as 4 pounds during the day! Last week, I weighed 4 pound less in the AM than I had 9 hours earlier. That's why I do my "official" weigh in at the EXACT same time (6AM) every week. Even if your scale doesn't agree with someone else's, unless it is completely malfunctioning, it should exhibit the same gain or loss for the week, just with a different official starting point. ie, if the WW scale said you weighed 150 last week and 148 this week, and your home scale said 146 last week and 144 this week, it's still a 2 pound loss.

 

[glo]

I think all scales...bathroom, doctors, digital or otherwise are evil devices, made to purely torture us females to death

 

[disneyfan551]

The changes in my scales drive me crazy!!! But, now I know that I need to move it to the carpet in the living room!!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

My scale was driving me bonkers too- in the same way!- even though it was a new moderately priced scale (around $40). So I invested yet another $40 or so and got a Tanita scale and boy is it RIGHT ON. I can step off and on a hundred times and it will never vary. Plus I love the fact that it weighs in .2lbs. Hey, sometimes I like to claim that .2lbs loss instead of it looking the same as before as it did on the old scale.LOL
It also shows me the BF % although it isn't all that accurate especially since I don't weigh naked. LOL

 

[nativetxn]

My scale isn't all that temperamental but I sure am. You should see the tantrums I can throw when I don't like what it says