[GradPhase]

Back in MD I was using a doctor-type scale at my apartment complexes fitness center, and I was weighing it at 146.5 before I jumped on my flight.

I weighed myself on my sister's digital scale and weighed in at 140.5. She says her scale reads the same for her both at home and at her doctors office.

But I know I didn't lose 6 pounds on a four hour flight!! What to do??? Which would you trust?

[mandalinn82]

Well, first off, you might have lost 6 lbs on a four hour flight...of water. The air in a plane is ridiculously dehydrating. Drink a ton of water today to get your hydration back up, and you might see a difference.

Otherwise, weigh for the trend, but trust the number of the scale you use most at home. Obviously if you're 140 today and 143 tomorrow, that's normal...getting back some of that water weight. But if the day after that, you're 146...well, you might want to take look at the plan and make sure you're on it.

I always, always, always disregard any scale that is not my home scale. That way I know my measurements are always consistent.

[beautifulone]

I heartily agree with Mandalinn's suggestions. I'm facing a similar situation where I used to weigh myself at a fantastic scale at the gym in another city. Since moving, all I have are the scales at home (neither being mine), one of which is extremely unreliable. But most of the time, the reading on it is also higher than the more reliable one. So I've been using the more "reliable" one, although I think that one reads my weight a couple of pounds less than the fantastic gym one. Confusing huh! I've gained weight since using the gym scale, so I wish I had access to it to know accurately how much I gained.. but since that's not an option, I've instead told myself to focus on my progress on this scale. As long as the scale we use is consistent in itself, it will reflect any gains, losses, and times of maintenance. In the end, that's the main purpose of the scale.. if you want to lose, as long as your weight is consistently dropping, you know that you are accomplishing your goals right? And if you are concerned about the 6 lbs, do you have clothes that would help you with figuring that out?

[sotypical]

Test the scale.

Find something you know the weight of. A bag of flour, some dumbbells put it on the scale and see what it says.

My mom says her scale matches the doctor scale yet when I stand on it its usually 5 pounds more then my scale. So I never stand on it anymore. haha

I find my Wii Fit is pretty much in sync with my scale as well - but I only count my scale as even Wii Fit has 'off' days or something, LOL.

Stick with one scale, even if it is off a bit - but at least it is always the same.

[luvmyfam]

What a great idea about weighing something you already know the weight of. I had never thought about trying that before.

[GradPhase]

Thanks for the recommendations, I'm definitely going to find something with a solid weight and test it - and thanks for the dehydration tip!

[skinnybeach]

i weigh a dumbbell. My scale is .4-.6 more than actual weight. Sometimes it makes me feel better! haha

[Applez]

Is say trust the one that likes you the most

[meowee]

The actual weight the scale shows really doesn't matter as long as the long term direction it moves in is what you want it to be.

Think you've got to go with the one that you will use the most often.