I'm not sure what to think about my scale. I weighed myself this morning and it said 286. I got on it again, and it jumped down to 279. I did it again (ok...maybe 5-6 times in a row ) and it stayed around the 279-280 mark. Which one do I go by? Now I'm not sure if my start weight is even right.

What should I do?

Hi JennyWenny,

My scales do the same thing sometimes. I know how aggravating it is. I'd be inclined to go with the 279-280 weight as it came up with these numbers so many times.

I agree with Rhonda, take the 279 or 280. Which ever one will motivate you more this week. Mine does that too. I think it must be cold first thing in the morning. Or maybe it really does have a personality and brain. Maybe it remembers my previous weight and just assumes and then is shocked that I am so light and the numbers jump down! Ok, remind me to add "make an appointment with a therapist" to my daily commitments. My issues with the scale must be more serious than I thought!

Well Jenny, I got so crazed at my scale for jumping around too much that I went out a bought what's supposedly the best one you can buy. So now I weigh myself on BOTH of them. Whatever. Me, I'd wait till tomorrow morning and see what it tells you. You've been doing GREAT lately, so I'm inclined to think it's the 279-280. Whenever I get a reading of a pound difference I always take the higher one. Whatever your scale tells you I wouldn't worry too much, you're doing great. Just keep it up, the scale will recognize it eventually.

I had a lot of scale problems like this when I started. I think, as you lose weight, it will become more accurate. Over time you will see a trend and you'll probably be able to tell which weight was closer to where you started.

JennyWenny -- I'm with the others -- take the 279-280. Had the same thing happen with my digital scale earliers this year -- except that it began to show a 15 or 20 pound drop (and I knew that wasn't possible!) I had my daughter come in and weigh, too -- she's small....and it showed that big a drop for her -- so I pulled out the old stand-by. If yours is old, you may need a new one!

Remember: The scales are going to continue to change week by week. And, of course -- I would DEFINITELY go by the lower number!!!!!! How are the clothes feeling? That's another thing I look at.

It's just a number, and it will change! Barbara

I'd go with the lower weight also - just because there is quite a bit of difference between the numbers. But first chance I got I would buy a new scale - good ones shouldn't vary like that when you're weighting time and time again, one right after the other. I usually only weigh once a day, but on those days when I have one of those "I know that can't be right!" moments and I do jump back on for another weight check in mine says the same thing the second time or at the most it goes up/down .2 (and that's usually because I leave my glasses on or forget to take out a hair clip).

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input.

So, should I start over with the new weight, or count it as a 9 lb. loss? Call me confused

Oh, definitely count the 9 pound loss! Sometimes it's that type of motivation that keeps us going!

I say its a loss! Definitely.

I'm with everyone else. I'd count the 9 pound loss and go with the weights that showed up most often.

My scale is unreliable at best, too. I generally have to weigh 5-6 times in a row just to get one number to show up twice.

Just goes to show you how fickle those contraptions really are!
Count it as a loss and know that soon those numbers will be too high to even worry about. You will be wrestling with smaller and smaller numbers every week.

Thank you for the help, ladies!

I changed my ticker to show the change.

Now, I have exactly 100 lbs. to go.

I don't think the 9-pound loss is unusual in the first week (I lost 8). Congratulations (now, get a new scale)!!

I agree with everything that's already been said. Take the 9 lbs loss and get a new scale!! Good job! WTG on your loss!!
Rockingrobin, I also weigh on two scales. My new one and my old one. I thought I was the only one. Glad to know I'm not!!
Okiechick, I also think that my scales (both of them ), have brains and personalities. Once again, thought I was the only one! Think I'll be making an appointment with a therapist also!!