One month ago, for the first time in my entire life I bought a scale. I had been using a scale at a friends house to monitor my weight so I never was able to weigh myself at the same time each day. So finally I decided that with my new firm commitment to working out I needed to be track my own losses. So I went to target and bought one, it wasn't fancy, but it wasn't that cheap either.

So I went home and jumped on it and it read 259. I knew I had gained some weight but I hadn't thought it was that much. Then a week later I tried again. 267. I couldn't believe it...could I have really gained that much weight in such a short time?

But it was motivating, I upped my exercise and dropped the cookie dough stash and really started to feel good about my life. Then came my victory...

I was at my friends house again last night, and after a celebratory glass of wine and a huge meal (unhealthy of course ) at Ruby Tuesdays, I got back on the scale I had been using earlier in the year.

248.

So I'm still happy, still motivated, but man does my weight make a lot more sense now that I know that my scale is off by 19 lbs....

oh yeah...and now I'm in the market for a better scale.

not that I'm trying to rain on your parade, but is it possible that your friend's scale is off by 19 lbs. and yours is correct?

If I were you, and I'm obviously not, I'd consult a third scale. Perhaps with a friend who is more confident in knowing their weight? Or at a doctor's office or gym?

i second this.. i have stepped on a couple different scales.. and i was all over the board.. **** on my own scale if i move it in different spots on the floor i will get different readings! good luck and dont get down if it doesn't go your way..

You're likely down the same increment of weight, 19 pounds, but as for a starting baseline I would go to a gym or doctor's office and use theirs as a starting point, or just pick ONE scale to weigh yourself on, and don't touch another.

Congratulations on losing all that weight, no matter where you started!

You could also test your scale with something that is a set weight. A pair of dumbells, bag of potatos and rice. If it says something different then how much whatever you are weighing weighs, then you know your scale is off or its not.
There are SO many factors with the scale...I find measuring and pictures a lot more motivating.

Thanks for the advice.

my friends scale matches three other scales +/- a few lbs, one of which was at a health club so I feel pretty safe trusting it.