This summer I realized that driving a desk and driven me out of shape. So I have been spending a lot of time on the bike every day, eating less, no more snacking, etc. It is definitely workin as not only doo I feel leaner and meaner, pants and shirts are loose again, belts down to the last hole, and people I haven't seen in a while have positive comments. But....

My scale at home shows more or less the exact same weight as before I got on this exercise trip. Granted it tends to do these wild 10lb swings now and again but the average is pretty consistent. I bought a cheap dial scale and that damn thing never moves. I took a business trip this week and did a few work outs in the morning. They had one of the Dr office balance scales so I hopped on. The weight shown is exactly where I would expect to be given how I feel, get back home 7 hours later, 12lbs heavier on the home scales. I'm baffled.

The really crazy thing is I can step on the scale 3x, and get 3 different readings, some as much as 15lbs off.

Muscle weighs more than fat. You're just getting denser.

Also, you have a shitty scale.

-Rob

Like government, you're not reducing, just slowing the rate of growth.

Walking will take it off. I lost 7 pounds in one week walking to the library to check my email.

Don't worry about what the scale says. You're feeling better? More energy? Clothes fit you better? Lost an inch around the waist?

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
The really crazy thing is I can step on the scale 3x, and get 3 different readings, some as much as 15lbs off.

Scale must have been made by the IRS. So long as you feel good and can do the things in life you want to do, don't sweat the rest.

Do you move the scale and is there any way to calibrate it? Also make sure it's on a level surface. That aside, the mirror is a better indicator of your progress. Keep up the good work!

I have a SECA 876 digital scale. It has an accuracy specification, and excellent repeatability. I can step on the scale five times and get the same reading every time. Digital resolution is 0.2 lbs. Made in Germany, it's pricey, but that's the case for most fine instruments. I paid $360 for mine.

It sounds like your scale needs replacing. Also, make sure you are weighing yourself at the same time each day (preferably first thing in the morning). Weight can vary significantly during the day.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
You're just getting denser.

Must. resist. obvious. rejoinder...

As the others have said, ignore the scale; if you're getting leaner and your body shape has changed that's great.

do you always wear that tactical vest when you get on the scale?

Scales are almost pointless, and it sounds like you have a bad one anyway.

Do you have more energy? Do you feel better? Do your clothes fit better?

That's what matters. Become fit and the scale will take care of itself.

Buy a decent one and then check it six months from now.

IMO a good scale is a wonderful tool for weight management. The algorithm is so simple: I step on my scale first thing every morning. If I'm over my target weight, I diet that day.

Regular exercise is important too, of course.

Sounds like you just need a better scale. I've used this one every morning for the past 5 years, for $40 shipped via Prime it's tough to beat.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...ilpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It gives you body fat percentage as well as some other metrics. Yes those numbers won't be exact but it will show you relative changes in body composition, even when your total weight hasn't changed, which may be what you are experiencing right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I have a SECA 876 digital scale. It has an accuracy specification, and excellent repeatability. I can step on the scale five times and get the same reading every time. Digital resolution is 0.2 lbs. Made in Germany, it's pricey, but that's the case for most fine instruments. I paid $360 for mine.

Some scales fake repeatability. If a weight measure is very close to the previous weight measurement, the scale repeats the previous weight measurement. Between weighings, weigh yourself with a 5-10 weight to reset it.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I have a SECA 876 digital scale. It has an accuracy specification, and excellent repeatability. I can step on the scale five times and get the same reading every time. Digital resolution is 0.2 lbs. Made in Germany, it's pricey, but that's the case for most fine instruments. I paid $360 for mine.

Some scales fake repeatability. If a weight measure is very close to the previous weight measurement, the scale repeats the previous weight measurement. Between weighings, weigh yourself with a 5-10 weight to reset it.

Possibly some scales fake repeatability, but the SECA 876 certainly doesn't. It's sold primarily to medical professionals that need a portable, accurate, high capacity scale.

I just did this experiment: I stepped on the scale repeatedly and saw 139.4 lbs every time. Then I stepped on while holding a 3.50 oz knife, and saw 139.6 lbs. The SECA's digital resolution is 0.2 lbs.

I determined the weight of the knife with my Ohaus Scout Pro digital balance.

Be careful, you are at the top of a very slippery slop.


In 2012 I quite smoking after 37 years and the result was the lung capacity of a 70 year old at 57 years of age. In 2015 I decided I needed to start getting some exercise, so I started walking. Average weight loss that first year was 0.9 lbs PER WEEK. Yeah a measly 9/10 lbs. per week. But you do the math and it adds up. Since then my weight has been pretty stable between 155 and 159 lbs.

As for the slippery slope, now I am in bed at 9:30 at the latest because I get up every morning at 4:20 AM for a 2 mile run and a 1 mile walk with the dog after the run, Then at 5:18 AM I head for the gym where I spend another 30 minutes on an Elliptical Trainer getting my morning steps to over 9000. The slippery slope is that once you start getting fit it becomes a challenge to see just how much you can improve.

BTW, when I was younger I was a Night Owl and had no problem at all sleeping till Noon or even later. However one aspect of aging has been that I just can't seem to sleep more than about 7 1/2 hours and most nights I'm wide awake after 6 1/2 hours. I also tend to fall asleep after dinner just like my Father, so early to bed and early to rise wasn't really a choice it just happened. Didn't like laying in bed starting at the ceiling which is why I now get a lot of my exercise in early in the morning.

I would like to point out that I am attempting to keep myself from getting more dense by avoiding the national media.

With that said, I find it hard to believe that on a weekend where I average a 300-600 calorie burn per day on the bike, do a 2 hr Kendo practice on Saturday, eat healthy, and wake up on Monday morning to find out I weigh 7lbs more than I did on Sunday night. Then step out of the shower 10 minutes later and discover I've lost 5 lbs. which I miraculously gain back after shaving. On both scales... in different rooms. I swear, something ain't right 'round here!

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Possibly some scales fake repeatability, but the SECA 876 certainly doesn't. It's sold primarily to medical professionals that need a portable, accurate, high capacity scale.

I have an old Seca Mechanical. I'm hoping to get down to where I can use it again.